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Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) DVD Review
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) DVD Credits:
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) Directed by:
Hank Rogerson
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) Written by:
Not available at this time
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) Cast:
Not available at this time
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) DVD Release Date:
31st July 2006
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Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) Synopsis:

"Shakespeare Behind Bars" is an unexpectedly delightful documentary that follows the casting, rehearsal, and presentation of Shakespeare's play, The Tempest, by convicted felons inside Kentucky's Luther Luckett Correctional Complex. Winner of eight film festival awards, "Shakespeare Behind Bars" smashes many of our long held notions about prisoners and criminals as we watch these remarkably unique actors prepare. Ultimately, we get to see the human psyche unfold in all of its complexities, as these men, ostracized from society, reveal their kindness, generosity and faith. In the process, we accompany them as they discover the power of truth, forgiveness and transformation. Marking their seventh year as an acting ensemble, the inmates cast themselves according to their lives, and in relation to the crimes for which they were convicted. Just as in Shakespeare's day, men play all the female roles. They swear that the roles "pick them", and this proves to be an uncanny truth, as many of the men experience powerful epiphanies while exploring their characters. Twice a week, the inmates work with volunteer director Curt Tofteland, who pushes them to find their own truth within their roles in The Tempest, a play fittingly about forgiveness. Striking parallels arise between actor and inmate, the text and their lives. On the surface level, the men rehearse with Tofteland, alone in their cells, or with each other on the yard. They experiment with different ways to deliver lines and gestures - how to change the meaning of a scene with one subtle stroke. On a deeper level, this constant searching within a character mirrors the constant search within the men themselves to find meaning in their past actions and present lives. The film shows men who are, in some ways, stuck in time, constantly replaying the text and gestures of their own crimes, wondering what subtle stroke would have changed their fate. But it also shows these men searching deeply to discover the reasons that they committed murder, rape, or robbery, and trying to come to terms and move forward. "Shakespeare Behind Bars" does not glorify these men or excuse their crimes, but rather attempts to take a more humane look at them as human beings, not merely felons. Over the course of the year and the film, we see these men changed - enriched, challenged, awakened, and fulfilled.

Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) DVD Review:

William Shakespeare wrote some of the most unsavory characters in the history of theater. Anyone who has studied his works knows that plays like Titus Andronicus are far more shocking than nearly anything created today, and this is why it makes sense that convicted felon would have the most to learn from Shakespeare. As the theater group at Kentucky’s Luther Luckett prison found out with The Tempest, Shakespeare often deals with the theme of forgiveness, and that is what they need most. Shakespeare Behind Bars is a fantastic documentary that shows a positive growth experience in the least likely place.

The theater program at Luther Luckett only does Shakespeare, which is appropriate considering the roles were all played by men when they were first written, and in the all-male prison there is no choice but to have men play the female roles. The program is a privilege and it is difficult to watch inmates make a mistake that causes them to lose the privilege to perform. The outcome for those who remain in the group is a private performance for family, and a separate performance for their fellow inmates. Each year they do one Shakespeare play and Shakespeare Behind Bars is about their production of The Tempest.

These aren’t great actors, although they take themselves very seriously and the final production is rather impressive considering it is in a prison. What makes the documentary interesting isn’t the fact that they are good actors. It’s the fact that an art form has saved and reformed many of these men, even the ones who will never see the outside of a prison again. They are human and they make mistakes, but their stories are fascinating and Shakespeare seems to be the most positive thing in their lives.

The DVD has an impressive prisoner commentary. I am impressed because of the fact that it is included as a feature, although I’m not sure if it is as important as the filmmaker commentary which is also included in the special features. There are also deleted scenes, which I would have been fine skipping, and bonus performance footage. Not only is theater boring to watch on tape, but as I mentioned before, the film is good for other reasons that don’t necessarily include the acting.

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Shakespeare Behind Bars (2006) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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