In this well-conceived Elizabethan comedy, writers Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman ask the question: Who was William Shakespeare's muse? The answer: Viola de Lesseps, a young noblewoman who dreams of acting on a man's stage. The screenwriters deliver a cleverly crafted scenario which beautifully illustrates both the early aspirations of the playwright, and a glimpse into the culture of Elizabethan theater. Colorful characters, like the Globe theater owner Henslow (played by Geoffrey Rush), the lead player in the troupe (Ben Affleck), and the Queen herself (Judi Dench), give the cast charm, wit, and feasibility. The young playwright who at the start of the film is experiencing writer's block bursts forth with a lyrical text inspired by the lovely and passionate Viola. Ultimately this film is about the making of a great play, but most importantly it is about the power of words.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side/Dual Layer
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35:1
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. John Madden - Director
2. Cast and Crew
Featurettes - 1. "Shakespeare In Love and On Film"
2. Spotlight on Academy Award-Winning Costumes
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. TV Spots
Deleted Scenes
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/ Photo Galleries:
Shakespeare Facts

Gwyneth Paltrow: Oscar Winning Actress, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Joseph Fiennes: 
Geoffrey Rush: Australian Actor, QUILLS (2000)
Ben Affleck: Oscar winning actor, screenwriter, GOOD WILL HUNTING
Judi Dench: British Actress
Colin Firth: British Actor
Simon Callow: British Actor
Jim Carter: 
Martin Clunes: British actor/director, William and Mary/STAGGERED
Antony Sher: Actor/"Moliere"
Imelda Staunton: British Actress/Comedienne
Tom Wilkinson: British Actor
Mark Williams: 

John Madden: Director, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998)

David Parfitt: 
Donna Gigliotti: PRODUCER\"RESTORATION"
Harvey Weinstein: Film Producer/Director/Miramax Boss
Edward Zwick: Director/Producer/Screenwriter
Marc Norman: Screenwriter - The Killer Elite

Marc Norman: Screenwriter - The Killer Elite
Tom Stoppard: Playwright/Screenwriter

Stephen Warbeck: Composer

David Gamble: 

"You can't miss with a movie that speaks the language of love with such hot-blooded delight....[SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE] spins delicious magic..."
"...Style and subject are ideally matched....[Rush] is increasingly superb..."
"...A romance of exuberant theatricality and wit....Infused with the lifeblood of Shakespeare's passion..." -- Rating: A
"...One of the year's smartest and funniest comedies..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
"...It soars freely into the realm of invention, wittily weaving Shakespearean language and emotion into an intoxicatingly glamorous romance..."
"...An inspired re-imagining of history and deft look at the relationship between art and life..."
"...Smoothly executed....[Fiennes] has the burning eyes and brooding demeanor appropriate for a lover, and he and Paltrow, flourishing once again under a British accent and doing her best work since EMMA, have a winning chemistry..."