As You Like it the Version Chosen

As You Like it

The version chosen is the 1936 as You Like it directed by Paul Czinner and starring Laurence Olivier as Orlando and Elisabeth Berner as Rosalind.

In Shakespeare's day all the women's parts were played by men which makes the whole women disguised as men thing more believable. Is it less believable to see women playing women who are then disguised as men?

Though the story is set in France, the actors have primarily British accents, except for Berner who sounds German. Why set the play in France when Shakespeare's plays were performed in England?

Is the ending of the story, where both brothers repent and stop their evildoing, believable in terms of the characterizations throughout the piece?

Favorite character or costume?

The best character in the film is that of Rosalind. When she is banished from her home, she does not allow herself to be in despair. Since it would be dangerous for women to travel alone, she decides to dress as a man to keep herself and Celia safe. Also, she is smart enough to fool her lover Orlando into thinking that she is a man. She proves herself smarter than all the males around her, making her a unique character for her time period.

4. Why a film version is better than a text version?

The reason that watching a filmed version of Shakespeare or going to see the plays is better than simply reading the texts. These works were not designed to be read straight through in silence. Shakespeare wrote them as visual experiences and the best way to understand them as he intended is to watch a performance.

5. What did you like in this film and what didn't you like?