Shakespeare in Love

1998 · directed by John Madden

Rating

82/100

Hit

yes

Prestige lists

Oscar Winner

Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

Shakespeare in Love (1998), directed by John Madden, rates 82/100 — a hit. See how its director, cast and crew rate across their careers.

Cast

• Joseph Fiennes
• Gwyneth Paltrow
• Geoffrey Rush
• Tom Wilkinson
• Judi Dench
• Imelda Staunton
• Colin Firth
• Ben Affleck
• Simon Callow
• Steven Beard

Crew

• Richard Greatrex — Director of Photography
• David Gamble — Editor
• Stephen Warbeck — Original Music Composer
• Marc Norman — Writer
• Tom Stoppard — Writer

More from John Madden

1. Mrs Brown (1997) — 75/100
2. Miss Sloane (2016) — 73/100
3. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) — 70/100
4. Operation Mincemeat (2022) — 69/100
5. The Debt (2010) — 68/100
6. Proof (2005) — 64/100

How these numbers work: Methodology