Shakespeare: The Animated Tales

Series 1

An animated adaptation of twelve of Shakespeare's best-known plays. The series was produced by S4C for the BBC, but animated by some of the foremost artists of Soyuzmultfilm, the former Soviet Union's main animation studio. Each 26-minute play is directed by a different animator, in a wide variety of styles: cel animation for Macbeth, stop-motion puppets in Twelfth Night, and paint on glass for Hamlet.

Where to Watch Shakespeare: The Animated Tales • Series 1

6 Episodes

A Midsummer Night's Dream
E1
A Midsummer Night's DreamFour young lovers, trying to resolve their passions, and six worthy workmen, trying to rehearse a play, stumble about in a dark, haunted wood, while the powerful spirits play havoc with their hearts and minds.
The Tempest
E2
The TempestExiled Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero's usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all of their lives.
Macbeth
E3
MacbethEncouraged by a prophecy and his scheming wife, Macbeth sets out to be King of Scotland, but soon realizes the lengths he must go to keep his power in this gruesome tale of pure horror.
Romeo and Juliet
E4
Romeo and JulietTwo teenagers fall in love, but their feuding families and fate itself cause the relationship to end in tragedy.
Hamlet
E5
HamletHamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge.
Twelfth Night
E6
Twelfth NightViola and Sebastian are lookalike twins, separated by a shipwreck. Viola lands in Illyria, where she disguises herself like her brother and goes into the service of the Duke Orsino. Orsino sends her to help him woo the Lady Olivia, who doesn't want the Duke, but finds that she likes the new messenger the Duke's sending. Then, of course, Viola's brother shows up, and merry hell breaks loose. Meanwhile, Olivia's uncle and his cohorts are trying to find some way to get back at Olivia's officious majordomo, Malvolio.