Richard III (1995)

“The king's name is a tower of strength”

In this mid-90s drama, the classic Shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15th-century king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s England under a growing threat of fascism. Directed by Richard Loncraine, the film stars Ian McKellen as the dastardly monarch who, in real life, was found buried in the famous “car park incident” in Leicester just down the road from me.

An amazing support cast sees Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent and a pre-Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. join British heavyweights Nigel Hawthorne, Kristin Scott Thomas and Maggie Smith in a unique reimagining of the historical play. Gosford Park on Binley Road in Coventry is listed on the film’s IMDB page as one of the locations in the film. The locals still call it "Gentlemen's Green" and I suggest if you visit you grab a bite from the now famous (via a viral Tik Tok) Binley Mega Chippy whilst you’re there.

As You Like It (2006) & Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

“Ay, now am I in Arden; the more fool I; when I was at home, I was in a better place: but travellers must be content”

Perhaps the most well-known forest in Shakespeare’s work is the famous Forest of Arden in As You Like It. First performed in 1599, the play uses theatrical woods to explore feelings of wildness and rebellion and provide a hint of fantasy too. And the real Forest of Arden was situated in the playwright’s native Warwickshire stretching from Stratford-upon-Avon to Tamworth in Staffordshire. And in the past, it covered vast areas including what is now Coventry and Birmingham.

Not only that, the bard’s mother’s maiden name was Arden too. For the Midlands connection we’ve chosen Branagh’s famous 2006 adaptation (sadly not filmed in Warks) alongside Elizabeth: The Golden Age which features Baddesley Clinton. This a moated Elizabethan Manor House set in the Forest of Arden in a film featuring the famous Virgin Queen who would have seen a number of Shakespeare's plays performed at Court.

Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968)

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”

This 1960s adaptation not only starred Derek Godfrey and Diana Rigg but also RSC alumni like Helen Mirren (Hermia), Ian Holm (Puck) and Judi Dench (Queen Titania). One of the most popular of the Bard’s play’s, the story is set in Athens with the plot revolving around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. They and the supporting players find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who then manipulate the humans whilst engaging in their own domestic intrigue.

And so, in the film, the "Athens" scenes were shot at Compton Verney House, an actual Warwickshire country house. Director Peter Hall filmed his version here using the magnificent parkland setting of the ‘Capability’ Brown designed grounds for the play’s comedic interactions. And you can still visit here too – they proudly promote their Shakespeare connections with a variety of events and screenings.

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

Famous for stage performances and film versions, 10 years ago saw Gnomeo & Juliet become the first computer-animated Shakespeare feature film “loosely” based on the famous romantic play. In fact, it even features the voices of some famous Midlanders including Jason Statham (Derby), Julie Walters (Edgbaston) and even famous Brummie music metaller Ozzy Osbourne. Grossing a staggering $193 million, the song "Hello Hello" by Elton John and Lady Gaga was also nominated for a Golden Globe.

The film which borrows its story from the warring families of the play, is set in Stratford-upon-Avon and it’s great to see some of the regional landmarks beautifully captured in fun animation. From the mock-Tudor homes of the two “houses” to town centre sights, you can even go visit real-life places they’ve used in the film’s exciting chase-scene. This includes the Grade-II listed Shakespeare Memorial Fountain and the William Shakespeare Gower Memorial - which comes alive in the film’s park scene where it is voiced by appropriately cast thesp Patrick Stewart.

Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018)

An oddball couple of private detectives named Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway are the protagonists of this crime series based around Stratford-upon-Avon. A witty title isn’t the only Shakespeare reference in the show as we see a myriad of locations from the historic town during the 4-seasons.

Produced by BBC Birmingham, it’s a bit of a stretch but the show has a number of Easter Eggs referencing the plays, as the duo solve crimes around the area. Shakespeare super-fans will notice background objects nodding to Elsinore (Hamlet’s Castle) and Boar’s Head (Falstaff’s Inn) as well as character names and lines of dialogue cribbed directly from the books.

Viewers can visit the show's locations across Warwickshire such as the Lord Leycester Hospital (constructed in the late 15th century so around in Shakespeare’s days) which is used as the detectives' fictional office. The Alscot Estate plus the National Trust property Coughton Court in Atherstone on Stour also appear. And finally, in previous episodes Shakespeare and Hathway has been filmed outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre too. 

Looking for Richard (1996)

“So wise so young, they say, do never live long”.

The University of Leicester weren’t the only ones “looking for Richard” as in the mid-90s, Godfather actor Al Pacino directed and starred in a fantastic documentary about Shakespeare, his works and his relevance today. Al Pacino's rumination on the author’s significance and relevance to the modern world is captured through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."

This leads him to interview a variety of people, from academics to famous actors to people he meets on the streets, about whether Shakespeare is still relevant to contemporary life. His journey takes him to Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon where he ends up chatting to what seems like a very drunk man at Shakespeare’s birthplace. Catch the trailer here.

Happy Birthday Shakespeare (2000)

Another film that has more to do with Stratford than Shakespeare himself, this comedy drama follows Neil Morrissey (named “Will”) as a tourist bus driver who wishes to move his family to Stratford and open a restaurant. Again, a tenuous link for sure – we’ll take what we can get – but as before, you get to see the homely Shakespeare sites of this historical town including Anne Hathaway’s cottage which highlights why the area is so much admired. Catch the trailer here.

Macbeth (1997)

"There’s daggers in men’s smiles”

Jeremy Freeston directs this low budget take on the ruthlessly ambitious Scottish laird who seizes the throne with the help of his scheming wife and a trio of witches. Shrinking the extensive play down to film length, it stars Jason Connery and Helen Baxendale in the Lady Macbeth role. The film has scenes at Warwick Castle – who also do amazing outdoor screenings, this year with Luna cinema.

Jason Connery's father Sean Connery also played Macbeth in the Canadian adaptation Macbeth (1961). And for another Tudor/Shakespeare hit, Warwickshire Castle was also used in The Virgin Queen (2006) which follows the reign of Elizabeth I and stars Anne-Marie Duff, Sienna Guillory, Ian Hart and a young Tom Hardy.

Macbeth (2022)

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

We’ve saved the best for last with Screen Northants’ recent film of Macbeth which is their very first feature film. As a social enterprise, the organisation has made Macbeth in a unique way with diversity and representation at the core of its production especially with Screen Northants promoting, championing and supporting young filmmakers from their county. Filmed partially in Hunsbury Hill Country Park as well as Northampton Town Centre, it’s great to see how the organisation has given help to underprivileged young people to gain experience in the creative industries. Catch the trailer here.

And so, there we have it. Much Ado About Nothing perhaps? Well, despite being few and far between, fans of Shakespeare’s work can dig deep and catch a range of films (and TV shows) related to the area he was most connected to. But have we missed any? There’s 410 to choose from so drop us a line with further suggested film links you’ve found. But I think by visiting these amazing locations too, we hope that all the interest in the area can inspire the upcoming generation of Midlands filmmakers to use the works as a basis for their future films in the region.

Michael Sales

Exit, pursued by a bear