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William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream comes to life in this definitive 1968 (originally airing on CBS in the US in 1969) adaptation, directed by Peter Hall (Three Into Two Won't Go, Aeschylus' Oresteia) and starring an exceptional cast from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Helen Mirren (The Queen, Prime Suspect, Excalibur) shines as Hermia, alongside Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones, The Avengers, On Her Majesty's Secret Service) as the lovesick Helena. Michael Jayston (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Nicholas and Alexandra, Doctor Who) portrays the headstrong Demetrius, while David Warner (Titanic, The Omen, Tron) brings depth to the romantic Lysander. Overseeing the tangled web of love and rivalry in an enchanted Athenian forest, Ian Richardson (House of Cards, Brazil, Dark City) commands the screen as the regal faerie King Oberon, while Judi Dench (Skyfall, Shakespeare in Love, Notes on a Scandal) stuns as the radiant Queen Titania. Ian Holm (The Lord of the Rings, Alien, Chariots of Fire) delivers a mischievous and unforgettable performance as the impish Puck, whose magical meddling causes both hilarity and heartbreak. Renowned for it's captivating performances, poetic brilliance, and whimsical charm, this adaptation remains one of the wittiest and most visually striking renditions of Shakespeare's beloved comedy. Rounding out the cast are Paul Rogers (Billy Budd, The Shoes of the Fisherman) as Bottom, Sebastian Shaw (Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Scotch on the Rocks) as Theseus, and Barbara Jefford (Ulysses, The Ninth Gate) as Hippolyta. Cherished by Shakespeare enthusiasts and cinema lovers alike, it's a timeless celebration of love, mischief, and imagination.
