Sign in

Being Shakespeare

2012·Movie
80
GreatGoodWatch score

Watch

Set your services

Being Shakespeare fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace5
  • Spectacle3
  • Tension2

Heart

Nostalgic and wondrous

  • Nostalgia7
  • Wonder7
  • Wholesome6

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit

  • Wit & Wordplay9
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Physical Comedy2

World

A real life story and history

Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • Rewatchability8
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and direction

  • Acting10
  • Dialogue Quality10
  • Direction8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Featuring a tour de force performance from Simon Callow, Being Shakespeare is a one-man show about the life and work of the world’s greatest playwright. Written by the renowned scholar Jonathan Bate, and taking its cue from Jacques’ famous ‘Seven Ages of Man’ speech in As You Like It, the drama traces Shakespeare’s life from his birth in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 to his burial there fifty-two years later. Weaving together this story with extracts from many of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Simon Callow presents a vivid and very human portrait of the man and of the Elizabethan world in which he lived. Recorded before an audience during the play’s triumphant London run, Being Shakespeare is both a wonderful introduction to the author and a richly nuanced, funny and fascinating study for those who already love his plays.
Shakespearean BiographyOne-Man ShowLiterary PerformanceHistorical DramaEducational & InsightfulCaptivating ActingCelebration of GeniusTheatrical ExperienceEloquent StorytellingElizabethan Era

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Being Shakespeare

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Being Shakespeare legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Being Shakespeare worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

Is Being Shakespeare based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

What language is Being Shakespeare in?

SpanishEnglish

It was made in Spanish, with some English.

In how many countries can I watch Being Shakespeare?

3GBGGUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Being Shakespeare in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.