Review of Titus on Filmviews.net
Year1999 ReviewerChris Docker
Oh dear - the things Americans do when they go wild with Shakespeare! On the plusses, this film brings a lesser-known story (Titus Andronicus) to a wider audience, has some stunning scenery and imagery, and is haunting enough to want to watch till the end. On the downside, the actors, for me, all seemed to be standing there "reciting Shakespeare" (with theatrical flourishes) and some of the time not even understanding what the words meant. This means that it lacks the power to suspend disbelief as well as it might and the gory, terrifying scenes are less shocking because of the inherent stage-iness. The constant flirtations with modern props (such as machine guns) whilst maintaining the classical settings will irritate many, especially as the justifications are flimsy and, as with the surreal sequences, barely beyond the level of playing with the toys accessible to filmmakers. Sadly, special effects are woefully lacking in basic areas, such as when Titus' (Anthony Hopkins)' hand is chopped off and he wanders around with it laughably stuffed up his jacket sleeve and a "bloody stump" sewn onto the end of the same sleeve. Audience titters at the UK premiere were also apparent at the unconvincing hand which the mutilated girl picks up between her teeth. If you liked Shakespeare as portrayed in productions such as Prospero's Books you will probably like this as well. If you prefer either the authentic bard (such as in Branagh's full-length Hamlet) or films that use the medium to enforce realism (such as Polanski's Macbeth) or make the meaning accessible in modern day terms (such as Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet) then you may be disappointed by Titus.
Rating: 5/10;