TV Film review: Measure for Measure (1979) directed by Desmond Davis.

Hello people. Today I am reviewing the 1979 TV film version of Measure for Measure. This film truly captured the essence of the play in my opinion. I knew I was going to review the play and then watch this film to review because I have always loved the play. I find it amusing how Shakespeare named a brothel owner 'Mistress Overdone'. Interestingly, in the play I never knew what I thought she would look like. I half expected her to look overrun but in fact when I saw Adrienne Corri's Mistress Overdone she looked how Mistress Overdone would look I guess.

The one character who had an excellent appearance I must admit is Isabella. For someone wanting to become a nun I think the decision to give her an outfit all in white was a perfect decision because white symbolises innocence and angelicity. The Duke in his friar's outfit is rather clever too. Because when he first becomes this Friar Lodowick, he does nothing to cover his face. Therefore I find it amusing that no one acknowledges he is the Duke. At the end though, his hood is up and he is covered. Though the fact that the Duke leaves before the friar even arrives is to me another obvious sign. When Lucio pulls off the hood and he steps out of his Franciscan friar's Monk's robe, he seems to punish Lucio for exposing him.

I never liked Lucio's character much because he comes across as a little hypocritical. All through the play he judges people, making comments about them all the while he has his secret love child from his fornication with Kate Keepdown. Again, her name was a good idea because it suggests she is trapped, with a child that is. Lucio never gets the death sentence that Claudio is told he will get, despite the fact that Claudio loves his cousin Juliet. Unlike Lucio who had nothing to do with Kate Keepdown after their fornication. I think what makes me feel sorrier for Claudio than Lucio also is how Christopher Strauli's Claudio looked dishevelled when we saw him in the prison. Just like when Christopher Strauli played Benvolio in the BBC TV film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (1978), here he plays the role well too. I do not feel sorry for the hypocritical Lucio however.

In this play it is Angelo who is the most hypocritical and Tim Pigott-Smith plays him well. His conviction when Isabella is strong, with intense emotion. I think that is something this play highlights aside from the justice and morality - emotion. It helps make the play something rather good.

For me, I liked this film a lot. It was packed with a full range of emotions, twists, developments, had great costumes and settings too. I loved how the characters were portrayed from the main characters such as Kate Nelligan's Isabella or Kenneth Colley's Duke Vincentio, to lesser characters such as Alan Armstrong's Provost or Jacqueline Pearce's Mariana. The film was a excellent film and I am giving it a 9/10.

Until next time,

Thomas.