Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Shakespeare Behind Bars

Play trailer Poster for Shakespeare Behind Bars 2005 1h 32m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In this documentary, a theater troupe consisting entirely of convicted felons performs the plays of William Shakespeare for a captive audience. The troupe is already in its seventh year when the film crew joins them as they attempt to put on "The Tempest," a play largely about the dangers of social isolation. In candid interviews, the film chronicles the project from its casting, through its rehearsals and finally to its performance at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in Kentucky.
Shakespeare Behind Bars

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Shakespeare Behind Bars is a moving testament to the power -- and universality -- of art.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Aug 12, 2008
This fascinating video documentary covers a nine-month rehearsal of Shakespeare's final play by inmates at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in La Grange, Kentucky. Go to Full Review Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor May 19, 2006
B
The up-close interviews with the prisoners, many of whom are in jail for murder, are the heart of the film. Go to Full Review Kevin Crust Los Angeles Times May 12, 2006
3.5/5
Rogerson and producer Jilann Spitzmiller ably convey the humanity of the inmates while also exposing them as deeply flawed individuals. The film also reconfirms the enduring relevance and power of Shakespeare and his adaptability to almost any milieu. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 22, 2020
3.5/4.0
Confronts, with grace, the notion of anyone being beyond redemption. Go to Full Review Felix Gonzalez Jr. DVD Review Jul 10, 2007
... a truly compelling examination of the extent to which art can lift the human spirit, no matter how tragic the surrounding circumstances may be. Go to Full Review David Noh Film Journal International Mar 1, 2007
It's a tribute to the dry-eyed empathy of the filmmakers that these men, guilty of the most heinous crimes of murder and violence, somehow manage to win your sympathy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Shakespeare Behind Bars

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Hank Rogerson

Director

Jilann Spitzmiller

Director

Hank Rogerson

Writer

Jilann Spitzmiller

Writer

Jilann Spitzmiller

Producer

Hank Rogerson

Producer

More Like This

View All
Moon Over Broadway 88% 60% Moon Over Broadway Watchlist This So-Called Disaster 88% 64% This So-Called Disaster Watchlist OT: Our Town 88% 77% OT: Our Town Watchlist Reel Paradise 69% 66% Reel Paradise Watchlist A/K/A Tommy Chong 74% 80% A/K/A Tommy Chong Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Shakespeare Behind Bars

Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005) Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005) Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this documentary, a theater troupe consisting entirely of convicted felons performs the plays of William Shakespeare for a captive audience. The troupe is already in its seventh year when the film crew joins them as they attempt to put on "The Tempest," a play largely about the dangers of social isolation. In candid interviews, the film chronicles the project from its casting, through its rehearsals and finally to its performance at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in Kentucky.
Director
Hank Rogerson, Jilann Spitzmiller
Producer
Jilann Spitzmiller, Hank Rogerson
Screenwriter
Hank Rogerson, Jilann Spitzmiller
Production Co
Philomath Films, From The Heart Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 18, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 30, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$48.2K
Runtime
1h 32m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings