Titus [DVD]

Titus is a strong, bloody, murderous play and who better to cast as the lead in a movie production than Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins brings the right amount of high drama, machismo and madness to the character of Titus. He's the right age for the part, he looks the part and, obviously, has the theatrical experience to lend a good deal of credibility to a hugely complicated character.Jessica Lang, Queen Goth Tamora, gives a good performance and finds the right balance of warrior, seductress, lover and grieving mother in her war of hate against Titus.This is a story of retribution, family loyalty and wicked deception featuring war weary Roman army officers, Roman and Goth nobility and those hostages, slaves, taken during battle. They're involved in scenes of human sacrifice and driven by a need for revenge so dreadful it leads to the assault and torture of a young woman. Those scenes are brutal but pivotal. It's here we're asked to decide whether or not Titus loses his mind to grief or; is he such a brilliant military strategist it's all part of a bigger plan?. Who will win this ultimate battle?. The Romans or the Goths?. Or is it that revenge so powerful will consume itself and everone in it's path?. The film concludes with a good deal of blood and a high body count.My negatives; I would have preferred a little more clarity into character motivation. Had I not read the play I wouldn't have understood much of Titus from the film. Queen Tamora is better presented. Her reasoning and need for blood are better shown but; what I really didn't care for were the opening scenes. They're set in current times and are just too random. Once they're done with and the 'real' Titus begins it's actually a decent performance.The film runs for 156 minutes, has English subtitles and an 18 certificate due to "..strong sex and violence and sexual violence theme..".

As soon as you see the name Sir Anthony Hopkins Hanibal Lecter springs to mind and this could have been his Great Uncle! Truly one of the most gruesome of Shakespeares plays this version was extremely convincing with a Stellar cast. I like the twist of mix between ancient and modern particularly the polling type rally for the top position. Politically Rome was very much like our modern voting systems so the blend mixed very well. If you are new to the story you will find it very harrowing with little love or compassion. The fight for power is absolute and the one upmanship over powers everything. The human body is a case for mutilation to make a moot point and the whole play has an abatoir essence to it. The violence is only topped with more violence and its very difficult to accept any one of the characters actions. Shakespeare produced a carnal horror and this version shows that fully.

Absolutely brilliant! Had me hooked all the way through. I cant wait to watch it again!

Poor crap, worst I have ever watched.

A different take on one of Shakespeare's lesser known tragic characters. Great performances all round from Anthony Hopkins to Jessica Lange. Beaufifully shot and directored. Like all Shakespeare plays the story is good but for the audience that doesn't either understand his languge or doesn't like the language it would have been interesting if the language was translated to a modern audience. This might have given the film more of an audience and profile because unlike some of Shakespeare's more notable plays there is no 'quotable' dialogue. We must face the facts that some people enjoy Shakespeare stories but struggle to keep up with the language. Just a thought. As for me it was visually superb and enjoyable to watch.

Good movie

Astonishingly violent 16th century blockbuster.Archaic language but still easy to follow. Not one of Bill S best but a kind of attention seeking play brilliantly realised by a clever director. Wes Craven or Ridley Scott would have made something like this in the 16 century.

A gorey play made even more so by this film version