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Merchant of Venice, The

[cert PG, 138 mins]

Set in sixteenth century Venice, Shakespeare's
timeless comedy/drama follows the fates and fortunes
of a group of noblemen and their interactions with the
moneylender Shylock. Antonio borrows money from
Shylock to help his young penniless friend Bassanio in
his quest to win the hand of the fair Portia. The loan
falls due and Shylock claims his forfeit in the form of a
pound of Antonio's flesh. As Bassanio desperately
tries to save Antonio from this fate, miraculous help
comes from an unexpected quarter.

Still of three men standing in the foreground of a crowd

Director: Michael Radford

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino, Joseph Fiennes, Mackenzie Crook

Level: AS, A2, KS3, KS4

Subjects: Drama, English, Film Studies, Media Studies, Theatre Studies

Related Links:

Merchant of Venice study guide