Director Roland Emmerich, well-known for sci-fi inspired blockbusters such as Independence Day (1996) and The Day After Tomorrow (2004), presents a drama that delves into a long-time literary debate, taking on the question: Who actually created the body of work attributed to William Shakespeare? Produced by Centropolis Entertainment and distributed by Columbia Pictures, Anonymous (PG-13), which premiered in theaters on October 28, 2011, puts forth one possible answer. Set amidst the historical backdrop of Elizabethan England, the movie explores the Oxfordian theory of authorship, speculating that the Shakespearean oeuvre was actually penned by Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans), an aristocrat with a flair for the arts and an intimate connection to Queen Elizabeth I (Vanessa Redgrave). Replete with court intrigues, power-hungry nobles, illicit romances, and scandalous secrets, this political thriller intertwines literary controversy with the complex machinations surrounding the determination of Elizabeth's succession and details of the Essex Rebellion of 1601. Throughout, the characters' real-life dramas are intermingled with spectacularly staged moments from contemporary plays. More than just an imagining of the possible provenance of Shakespeare's compositions, the story explores the relationship between art and politics and underscores the potent power of the written word. The movie's prologue is presented by Derek Jacobi, and the cast also includes Rafe Spall as ne'er-do-well actor, William Shakespeare; Sebastian Armesto as playwright Ben Jonson; Sam Reid as the ill-fated Earl of Essex; and Joely Richardson (Redgrave's daughter) as the young Elizabeth.
Teens can visit the movie's official website for a video trailer that introduces the premise and provides a look at the lushly delineated historical setting and sumptuously detailed period costumes. Colorful images of the major players can be clicked on to access brief profiles and, in some cases, to "meet" them in their younger or older incarnations. By dragging a photo into a circle, viewers can pair two characters together for a quick description of their relationship. In the "Features" section, YAs can "Join the Debate" by accessing links to learn more about both sides of the authorship issue and then cast a vote for Shakespeare or Oxford. They can also take a quiz to test their literary knowledge by identifying Shakespearean quotes, or design their own coat of arms (and post it on a social network site). An interactive version of the trailer focuses on the main characters with behind-the-scenes photos and videos featuring commentary from cast members along with clips of the director and screenwriter John Orloff summing up their creative viewpoints. Also available is a featurette in which Emmerich shares "10 Reasons Why Shakespeare Is a Fraud" (smilingly chucking quills—dagger style—at a cartoon statue of the Bard to emphasize each point).
The movie and its premise are sure to inspire interest in the topic and stir up quite a bit of controversy. Send teens to Wikipedia for an interesting overview of the "Shakespeare authorship question" and a quick summation of the various anti-Stratfordian candidates and theories (highlighting, along with Oxford, Sir Francis Bacon; William Stanley, the sixth Earl of Derby; and Christopher Marlowe). Other destinations for launching explorations of the subject include "The Shakespeare Authorship Page," a site "Dedicated to the Proposition that Shakespeare Wrote Shakespeare," and "The Shakespearean Authorship Trust," a site that "offers the chance to explore different arguments for the most prominent authorship candidates."
Book Tie-in
Blending stunning full-color images with well-written text, Anonymous: William Shakespeare Revealed (2011; Gr 9 Up), a movie companion book from Newmarket Press, will mesmerize film fans. In his introduction, Emmerich explains how the project came about, along with the acknowledgment that this "daring" story takes on a "topic of great controversy." Throughout the volume, excerpts from the script are paired with dazzling film stills, conveying the essence of the plot. Interesting chapters, fittingly divided into five acts each introduced with a Shakespearean quote, examine the subject matter and provide an insider's look at the creation of the film. "Act I: The Argument" pairs an excerpt from "Is Shakespeare Dead?," Mark Twain's entertaining treatise about the authorship controversy first published in 1909, with a pro-Oxfordian essay by historian Charles Beauclerk, author of Shakespeare's Lost Kingdom (Grove, 2010). Brief profiles of the historical figures treated in the movie are followed by information about the actors who portrayed them, along with commentary from these individuals about their roles and insights about the debate. A section by Tamara Harvey, who directed the film's theater scenes, reveals the challenges of bringing Elizabethan-era plays to life in a way that balanced historical accuracy with the storytelling needs of the movie as well as a 21st-century sensibility. Equally fascinating is a "Behind the Scenes" glimpse at the production elements, including costume design; the re-creation of the Globe and Rose theaters and other buildings; and how CG effects were used to generate an accurate and convincing-and completely virtual-rendition of period London. Well-chosen production images, including costume and architectural sketches, storyboards, and photos taken on the set, support the clearly written text. This book will appeal to film viewers as well as teens with an interest in both theater and the ins and outs of movie-making magic.
Publication Information
Anonymous: William Shakespeare Revealed. Newmarket. 2011. Tr $32.95. ISBN 978-1-55704-975-9; pap. $22.95. ISBN 978-1-55704-992-6.
This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.
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