Explore Shakespeare adaptations in the silent film era with AM’s latest AV resource
AM is pleased to announce the publication of Shakespeare in Silent Film, drawn exclusively from the archives of the British Film Institute (BFI). With material from Britain, Western Europe, the USA and Australia, these early cinematic adaptions of Shakespeare’s plays offer valuable resources for teaching and research in theatre, film history, and English literature.
In a 2024 survey conducted by AM, more than half of librarians reported that audiovisual (AV) usage had increased in their library. While 66% reported that students actively search AV resources for their historical-based research.
With AV material increasingly supporting a breadth of interdisciplinary research areas, AM and the BFI have a strong publishing collaboration across a variety of themes and subjects to support. Collaborations already include Socialism on Film, British Newsreels, 1911-1930: Culture and Society on Film and Victorians on Film: Entertainment, Innovation and Everyday Life.
The inclusion of this new resource complements this comprehensive library of AV resources showcasing the power and potential of visual storytelling alongside the enduring appeal of Shakespeare’s works.
The collection includes professional and amateur productions, ranging from direct adaptations to original narratives inspired by Shakespeare, as well as travelogues and newsreels. These films reflect Shakespeare’s enduring impact in the early twentieth century as silent cinema sought cultural legitimacy and appealed to middle-class audiences.
The resource also benefits from contextual essays and audio commentaries. As well as musical accompaniments, recorded especially for this collection by silent film pianist Neil Brand.
The research potential of this unique material will appeal internationally across departments and disciplines including Cinema studies, Shakespeare studies, English, Theatre, Media studies, and beyond.
To find out more about the research potential of audiovisual primary sources, join AM’s upcoming webinar where we’ll be joined by Bryony Dixon from the British Film Institute.
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