The merchant of Venice - Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 (PolyGram Video, 1992)
This particular Shakespear production is set in Venice in the 1880's and includes a musical score by Carl Davies. The focus is on the central character of Shylock, the Jew, played powerfully and unusually sympathetical by Laurence Olivier. The story involves a young Venetian Antonio (Anthony Nichols) who borrows money from Shylock on the security of pound of flesh. On default of his bond a trial takes place and the heroine Portia (Joan Plowright) pleads fir Antonio's defence. Whilst the romantic comedy aspects of the play are retained, there is a heightened sense of drama throughout this production, with the trial scene making a forceful climax.