Internet Shakespeare Editions

Shakespeare in Performance: Film

Sen Noci Svatojanske. [A Midsummer Night's Dream] (1959, Jirí Trnka)

TitleSen Noci Svatojanske. [A Midsummer Night's Dream]
Year1959
Release LocationsCzechoslovakia
DirectorJirí Trnka
MediumColor video
Length1 hrs, 14 mins
LanguagesEnglish
Audiencegeneral public
Play ConnectionsA Midsummer Night's Dream (derivative)

Description

Although many people tend to back away when they hear that this film is a puppet version of Shakespeare's play, boredom turns into enthusiasm when they learn that the dubbed-in voices belong to some of the theatre's most distinguished actors and actresses. Richard Burton acts as the Narrator; Alec McCowen as Nick Bottom, and so forth. It was first shown in the English dialogue version in New York City at the Guild Theatre on 18 Dec. 1961

Description from Shakespeare on Screen : an International Filmography and Videography by Kenneth S. Rothwell and Annabelle Henkin Melzer. ©1990 Kenneth S. Rothwell. Cited by permission. — Added 2008-11-14

Cast Overview

OberonJack Gwillim
LysanderTom Criddle
DemetriusMichael Meacham
HermiaAnn Bell
HelenaBarbara Leigh
Nick BottomAlec McCowen
NarratorRichard Burton

Production Team and Crew Overview

DirectorJirí Trnka
ProducerJirí Trnka
ProducerVáclav Trojan
ScreenplayLen Appelsen
ScreenplayHoward Sackler
SetJirí Vojta

Production information courtesy of: Kenneth Rothwell