Directed
by: Richard Bracewell
Story by Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond
Produced By: Richard Bracewell, Tony Bracewell, Alasdair Flind,
Charles Steel
Starring: Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas,
Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond, Helen McCrory, Damian
Lewis
Cinematography: Laurie Rose
Edited By: Gary Dollner, David Freeman, Billy Sneddon
Music By: Andrew Hewitt
Production Company: BBC Films, Punk Cinema, Cowboy Films
Release Dates: 18 September 2015 (United Kingdom)
Plot: Bill
is set during Shakespeare's "lost years"—the crucial period, long
a mystery to scholars, covering his rise from obscurity in Stratford-upon-Avon
to fame as a playwright in London. According to the official synopsis,
the film will tell the "real story" of what happens when "hopeless
lute player Bill Shakespeare leaves his family and home to follow
his dream. It’s a tale of murderous kings, spies, lost loves,
and a plot to blow up Queen Elizabeth I."[4] Writer Rickard further
explained that in this "very different" version of his life, the
future Bard has already tried "everything from contemporary dance
to playing lute in a band. He's never found his calling in life.
Review: There
have been many suggestions and conjectures as to what took place
in Shakespeare's 'lost years'. That pivotal time just prior to
him getting recognised as the world renowned bard. Starting from
an obscurity in Stratford-upon-Avon to his well deserved fame
as a playwright in London. The movie tells the story of a hapless
lute player, Bill Shakespeare, who leaves his family and home
to follow his musical dream.
It’s a tale
of murderous kings, spies, lost loves, and a plot to blow up Queen
Elizabeth I. The writer Laurence Rickard explains that, in this
"very different" version of his life, the future Bard has already
tried "everything from contemporary dance to playing lute in a
band. He's never found his calling." He is really searching for
that one defining artistic gift that he can share with the world.
What makes
this film work so splendidly is the cast from Horrible Histories.
This marvelous group of actours, actresses and troubadours have
gone from strength to strength in honing their skills. Bring history
and homour to life for many generations of young inquiring minds.
M J Flack