Shakespeare has been adapted in countless ways over the years, sometimes — as in the case of these films — rather subtly. Here are 15 movies inspired by some of the Bard’s greatest works.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Based on: The Tempest
Instead of getting stranded on an island, the space crew in Forbidden Planet ends up on a seemingly utopian planet. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) is a stand-in for Prospero, keeping a protective hold over his daughter Alta (Anne Francis) — Miranda in The Tempest. As in the original story, the daughter falls in love with one of the outsiders despite her father's objections.
MGM
Throne of Blood (1957)
Based on: Macbeth
Although Throne of Blood is a fairly straightforward adaptation of Macbeth, director Akira Kurosawa's most significant innovation was transposing the action from 11th century Scotland to feudal Japan. Macbeth becomes Taketoki Washizu (Toshiro Mifune), with his scheming wife Lady Macbeth transformed into the equally power-hungry Asaji (Isuzu Yamada).
Criterion
The Bad Sleep Well (1960)
Based on: Hamlet
Just three years later, Kurosawa directed another Shakespeare adaptation. The Bad Sleep Well is a noir about corporate corruption, but it was inspired by Hamlet. While far less close to the original than Throne of Blood, the film has, instead of Hamlet, Toshiro Mifune's Koichi Nishi, a man seeking revenge against Vice President Iwabuchi (Masayuki Mori) for his father's death.
Criterion
Strange Brew (1983)
Based on: Hamlet
Strange Brew could have been an even more direct adaptation of Hamlet, but screenwriter Steve De Jarnatt was advised to make the film a little less faithful to the original. Hamlet is still represented, of course, not only in the Elsinore beer that figures so heavily into the plot, but in the evil Uncle Claude (Paul Dooley) that Bob (Rick Moranis) and Doug (Dave Thomas) must take down.
MGM
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