I remember watching Theatre of Blood when I was around ten and staying with my grandparents. It came on TV, and they were both asleep. It was terrifying at that age! I think I would find it a lot more fun now I'm jaded and steeped in horror film knowledge.
I have spent my evening watching Theatre of Blood for the first time in preparation for reading this. I liked it a lot although it was surprisingly hard to watch in places. Thanks for the prompt.
It’s a masterful example of how to be gory without really showing much gore imo. I love the premise. Vincent Price looks like he’s having a lot of fun!
This piece masterfully blends early modern literature with modern horror. I love how you pointed out that ‘Theatre of Blood might get out the old stereotypical Jewish costume, but it is Saw VI which subconsciously turns the trap on Shylock.’ It’s a sharp, thoughtful analysis that makes Shakespeare’s darker moments even more intriguing.
‘Pound of Flesh’ Is odd in modern settings because we're so far from the economy where 'usurious' moneylenders are a thing for the average person. In Shakespeare's time a large number of people would have been resentful debtors and felt a massive conflict. That controversy made everyone rethink their judgements and that made it such a great play. Saw missed the real controversies of our age.
Martin, you're absolutely right - Theatre of Blood is one of my all time favourite film scripts, there are so many brilliant lines (and lots of Shakespeare, of course!)
Shamefully, I have never seen Theatre of Blood. Equally shamefully, I have seen Saw VI.
I remember watching Theatre of Blood when I was around ten and staying with my grandparents. It came on TV, and they were both asleep. It was terrifying at that age! I think I would find it a lot more fun now I'm jaded and steeped in horror film knowledge.
To be honest, it is pretty nasty in places - ten is definitely too young but what a great introduction to horror!
I have spent my evening watching Theatre of Blood for the first time in preparation for reading this. I liked it a lot although it was surprisingly hard to watch in places. Thanks for the prompt.
The deaths are all pretty grisly aren’t they? Glad you enjoyed it though, Lou!
It’s a masterful example of how to be gory without really showing much gore imo. I love the premise. Vincent Price looks like he’s having a lot of fun!
Absolutely, and he gets to do some genuinely brilliant bits of Shakespeare too
This piece masterfully blends early modern literature with modern horror. I love how you pointed out that ‘Theatre of Blood might get out the old stereotypical Jewish costume, but it is Saw VI which subconsciously turns the trap on Shylock.’ It’s a sharp, thoughtful analysis that makes Shakespeare’s darker moments even more intriguing.
*adding Theather of Blood to my watchlist*
You won’t regret it!
‘Pound of Flesh’ Is odd in modern settings because we're so far from the economy where 'usurious' moneylenders are a thing for the average person. In Shakespeare's time a large number of people would have been resentful debtors and felt a massive conflict. That controversy made everyone rethink their judgements and that made it such a great play. Saw missed the real controversies of our age.
“You’ll find we’ve made several slight alterations in the text, and one rather large cut”
I HEARD your smile on "large cut" part of this quote 🤭
Martin, you're absolutely right - Theatre of Blood is one of my all time favourite film scripts, there are so many brilliant lines (and lots of Shakespeare, of course!)