The Merchant of Venice [DVD] [2004]

Finely acted and noncontroversial cast versions of Shakespearean plays which are also convincingly set with suitable editing of script to fit within time considerations are relatively rare when it comes to considering film offerings of the plays. This 2004 presentation of the Merchant is remarkably successful and a suitably compelling account.Perhaps the greatest surprise is the choice of Al Pacino in the role of Shylock. In the event he delivers a performance that easily crosses the Atlantic divide and which shows Shylock as a member of a biased society which is prepared to make use of his wealth but with no return of social acceptance. Ultimately his essential crime is that of wishing to extract the terms of the original commercial agreement and not yielding on those terms. In this he is as unyielding as the society that is prepared to use him but will not accept him. Ultimately he becomes the inevitable victim and loses all but, not perhaps in this presentation, the modern audiences complete sympathy as he becomes outcast from all society without either family or wealth. In this presentation it is possible to feel pity although other less extreme options are rejected. This is very complex with many conflicts to consider and it is a measure of Al Pacino's quality that he is able to convey these various considerations with such conviction.Jeremy Irons delivers an equally fine performance retaining a sense of proportion and essential humanity even when faced with dire consequences. All the remaining cast deliver at the same exalted level and this amounts to a very fine version indeed.Inevitably, with such a controversial plot, there will be a range of conflicting responses representing viewers' personal starting and concluding viewpoints but it is not the purpose of this review to take sides in that sort of discussion.However, this review is not intended to discuss the actual film as by now it will have both its supporters and detractors. Entering into those conflicts is not the purpose of the review which is aimed squarely at the many supporters of this film.Essentially, for all of those who are keen supporters of this film and who have bought the previous DVD version of this disc, the only issue of vital importance will be whether the Blu-ray offers an improvement technically sufficient to justify the additional expense.For this reviewer the answer is a clear affirmative. The upgrade offers a clear advance on both image and audio quality with the imaging being a marked improvement. The colours are firmer and there is an increase to the perceived depth of the imaging. The whole film simply becomes more 'real.' The film, which is so concerned with close characterisation, benefits considerably from this enhancement of reality.The degree of improvement experienced from this BD will also inevitably depend on the replay equipment used. The following technical information is intended to be a guide to aid in assessment.The screen used for this review is only of moderate dimensions being a 40 inch television screen. However, the television is a high performing 4K unit which delivers a compensating positive effect. The moderate screen size lacks the impact of larger screens but is less critical of film faults.However, the contributing player is, unusually, able to separate the audio and visual HDMI signals before they leave separately to the television and pre-amp. That feature enhances both the visual and audio elements of the output. The audio, not so critical in the case, delivers an unusually wide-ranging and revealing performance. Its precision is equally revealing of film scores.Readers with alternative equipment will have to interpret this review bearing in mind their own equipment and its comparative advantages and disadvantages.The disc offers purchasers with suitable replay equipment a substantial improvement over the previous DVD.In summary this BD is a transfer from good quality recent 2004 film stock and has responded well to the upgrade and well worth considering. In summary, it offers an enhanced viewing experience to a playback experience that should give great satisfaction to many supporters of this film.

What a superb opulent and realistic production of one of Shakespear's most popular plays this is. The acting is magnificent and Lynn Collins as Portia,' whom all the world desires 'is really beautiful. She also makes a very convincing young male Judge, in the famous court scene.All the well known speeches, such as- All the world is a stage, or- all that glisters is not gold, or- the quality of mercy is not strained, are delivered naturally and freshly in a dramatic, but not overly theatrical manner.It seems that nearly every speech has become iconic, or representing a moral value, but the comic interludes are treated with the same fresh intensity.The film recreates the splendour of 16th century Venice, on location, where Jews were apparently forced to live in a kind of Ghetto,locked at night, and wear a red hat if they ventured out during the day. The City was governed by Roman Catholic Christians, and of course the play pivots on the conflict between the two groups. Shakespear's ultimate sense of justice may not be ideal, but then again would a money lender really ask for a pound of flesh for revenge. The film ends with Jessica, Shylock's daughter looking pensively across a sunset bay, as if seeking the solution to unanswered questions, and maybe with regrets.Al Pacino as Shylock is powerful, Jeremy Irons is sagacious, as Antonio the Merchant, and Joseph Fiennes is impulsive and romantic as Bassanio, who borrows money to woo Portia, choosing the correct casket containing her image. Bassanio's boistrous squire, Gratiano, played by Chris Marshall, betrothes her maid Nerissa, played by Heather Goldenhersh.In true Shakespeare style there are minor complications. Shylock's daughter Jessica played by Zuleikha Robinson elopes with a Christian, and Portia and Nerissa play a merry trick on Bassanio, and Gratiano to test the extent of their love.The music by Jocelyn Pook has a Baroque feel throughout, and the madrigals are delivered beautifully and harmonically, by High Tenors Andreas Scholl and Ben Crawley and Soprano Hayley Westenra. Direction is by Michael Radford; Production design is by Bruno Rubeo, with costumes by Sammy Sheldon, and photography directed by Benoit Delhomme. Although running time is only 2hr& 7mins, this is a really epic film.