The Merchant of Venice - Bob Peck - 1996 - Multiple Subtitles - SN ARCHIVES - Remastered 2025 - 4K

Description

SN ARCHIVES - Educational Programme - Written by William Shakespeare (1564–1616) around 1597, The Merchant of Venice holds a disputed position within the Elizabethan canon. While formally categorized as an Elizabethan comedy—a genre defined not by humorous content but by a plot that resolves in a happy ending, typically a marriage—the play is marked by profound themes that have led many to re-evaluate it as a tragedy. Its conclusion, centered on the marriage of Portia and Bassanio, fulfills the structural requirement of a comedy, yet the suffering of its central character prevents an uncomplicated reading of the work. The play has long been a subject of intense academic and theatrical controversy due to its portrayal of the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. For centuries, the character was often performed as a two-dimensional villain, reinforcing antisemitic stereotypes prevalent in Shakespeare's era. Academically, the play is seen as presenting morally flawed individuals from both Christian and Jewish communities, though the degree to which it critiques prejudice remains debated. This ambiguity, coupled with the play's disturbing conclusion—the forced conversion of Shylock to Christianity—ensures that its themes of religious bigotry and revenge remain a challenging and central point of discussion. The 1996 television film, directed by Alan Horrox, is a notable production for its powerful portrayal of Shylock by Bob Peck, which emphasized the character's suffering and tragic qualities. Cast Bob Peck as Shylock Haydn Gwynne as Portia Benjamin Whitrow as Antonio Paul McGann as Bassanio Caroline Catz as Jessica Scott Handy as Lorenzo Victoria Hamilton as Nerissa Tom Bowles as Gratiano Ashley Artus as Launcelot Ewan Bailey as Solanio Nick Waring as Salerio Anthony O'Donnell as Tubal Ray Fearon as Morocco Robert Portal as Arragon John Woodvine as The Duke of Venice Zara Ramm as Servant Subtitles "YouTube Translator": En, Fr, De, It, Es, El, Pt, He, Ja, Zh, Hi _______________________________ Join , Donate , Subscribe