the merchant of venice positive ( this review assume a basic knowledge of the story and so may be think of a contain spoiler to anyone unfamiliar with the plot . ) a a film version of the famous shakespeare play and merchant of venice do what few adaptation have do since polanski rather gritty macbeth represent it take the spirit of the play and bring it out not just as well a and but good than the play alone could readily achieve . lord of the ring director and peter jackson and have argue that in adapt a book or play there be three option represent attempt to replicate the original as perfectly a possible and use the original idea a an inspiration but take full license for cinematic change and or ( the one he avowedly prefer ) stick to the original as much a be cinematic ally viable but make such change a be necessary for the film and while remain faithful to the intention or spirit of the original . in macbeth and polanski use the rain sodden beach and realistic rape and murder to convey what a bloody and horrific period the play be set in and thus bring to mind the horrific context in which the character make such ill advise decision . it differ from ( say ) branagh hamlet and which achieve new height of faithful rendition and but otherwise offer little new . macbeth and on the other hand and maybe enable audience fresh to shakespeare to appreciate some of the drama fullness without extensive study while similarly and more familiar audience might find a great depth than the unaided stage performance could accomplish . such interpretation play a vital part if audience be to fully engage and not only intellectually but also emotionally and with the point shakespeare want to make . radford adaptation of merchant of venice do just this . it take crucial moral dilemma involve religious bigotry or the keep promise and and with minimal messing of the bard holy tome and convey them faithfully within the spirit of the original story . the first of these and religious bigotry and give mean to shylock otherwise outlandish behaviour . we see the jew of the period relegate to a wall ghetto and only allow out if wear an identifying red cap . not be allow to own property and one of the few way they can earn a living be by money lending . this make them both useful to their christian oppressor and at the same time the object of their vilification . the idea behind ( both old and new testament ) biblical prohibition against usury probably stem from not make a profit by help one friend . this be extend by the bigoted christian to curse those they spit on ( we see shylock not only spit on and but fellow jew throw into the waterway for sport in an atmosphere that can only be describe a threaten ) . the topicality of the film be curious and since the bigotry of right wing christianity ( a personify by bush follow american ) have turn full circle and a they be now the main supporter of zionism and and the jewish political leader bite at their palestinian neighbor much a shylock try to bite at antonio ( once he think the law give him the power to do so ) . the psychology be self evident kick a dog repeatedly and it will become vicious . the circle easily continue a the victim of oppression themselves easily lose their sense of moral value and become oppressor . the stringent sleight of hand that the disguised portia use to save antonio have some merit and both a a clever interpretation of the unsophisticated law that the venetian of the play so rue and also a a moral pointer . shylock may have his pound of flesh accord to his contract and but may not have any blood . an easy analogy could be make as far a warfare and terrorism go it be much easy to justify fight among combatant or attack ill doer if soldier or evil doer be the only victim when there be massive collateral damage and a when innocent citizen and include woman and child and be kill in their hundred and the warmonger argument ( whether those warmonger be israeli and palestinian or u american ) carry far less popular support . there have long be much argument whether shakespeare be be anti semitic in this story . one wonder if he have to adapt the end for a largely christian audience who have little deal with jewish people . far from teach him a great good and the end enforces christianity and humiliation upon shylock a course likely simply to perpetuate pent up resentment . both camps look just a bad one simply hold more power than the other . the slight amelioration of the judgment simply give the christian judge a good public image and or a bassanio so acutely ( observes when choose the casket and solve the riddle to win portia hand ) representin religion and what damn error and but some sober brow will bless it and approve it with a text and hide the grossness with fair ornament . there be no vice so simple but assume some mark of virtue on his outward part . of course and the bigotry apply to organise religion ( rather than spirituality ) and especially when organise for political purpose and but one that easily goad ordinary god fear people who be not in the habit of split hair . the kindness and mercy ( chesed in judaism ) which be so fundamental to true christianity and be something also practice to a wonderful degree in judaism a in most creed . the jewish faith distinguishes between kindness and charity and way of practice both effectively and and way of make it part of one be rather than just an outward show . both shylock and antonio be bigoted and use their respective faith to abuse those of another faith . while shakespeare maybe point up the chasm between the goodness prescribe by different faith and it absence in practice and the film version reduce much of the window for interpretation of anti semitism and bring a great degree of realism to the psychological cause . the keep of promise ( the men to their wife ) be dealt with less well and a be the comic element inherent in the cross dress sub plot . bassanio and however strong his love for antonio ( be there homosexual element there . ) can not make sound moral judgement when show his gratitude to the judge and and so break his promise ( for which portia forgive him and display a triumphal character for woman and not only a supremely intelligent and witty but also a more truly merciful and considerate of others than her bigoted male counterpart and include her husband . ) some of the acting be a bit stilted and and there be too many regional ( english ) accent and but on the whole merchant of venice delivers a fresh and reward reworking of shakespeare . i enjoy the acting and and also the very beautiful soundtrack by hayley westenra and others and sing ballad pen both by shakespeare and edgar allen poe . all in all and merchant of venice be a not inconsiderable achievement of british ( as far a any film can be say to be of a particular nationality these day ) cinematic tradition .