The Merchant of Venice - 1973

Directed by Jonathan Miller.  Originally written by William Shakespeare and adapted by John Sichel. Cast: Shylock - Laurence Olivier  Portia - Joan Plowright Bassanio - Jeremy Brett Jessica - Louise Purnell Nerissa - Anna Carteret Launcelot Gobbo - Denis Lawson Gratiano - Michael Jayston  Antonio - Anthony Nicholls  Lorenzo - Malcolm Reid  Prince of Arragon - Charles Kay  Duke of Venice - Benjamin Whitrow  Prince of Morocco - Stephen Greif  Tubal - Kenneth MacKintosh  Salerio - Barry James  Solanio - Michael Tudor Barnes  Nominations: 1974 - Emmy - Best Lead Actor in a Drama Laurence Olivier Story: <from the video cover> "After enduring a lifetime of persecution, Shylock, the money lender, has his chance for revenge.  He takes to court a respected merchant who has defaulted, demanding payment of the agreed-upon penalty: a pound of the merchant's flesh.  As Shylock, Olivier rages against prejudice and revels in plotting his retribution.  Astonishing viewers with sly, surprising tricks of his craft, Olivier is a master at work...and his Shylock is a masterpiece.  Joining him in this production set in 1860 Venice is a superb cast, including Jeremy Brett as Bassanio and Joan Plowright as Portia, the heroine whose 'quality of mercy' plea ranks among the Bard's best-loved lines." To order the video, click below: Suncoast.com Amazon.com