Anonymous (2011)

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Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her, the story advances the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare's plays.

Intro of the Film
"Anonymous" is a 2011 historic drama film directed by Roland Emmerich and composed by John Orloff. The film contemplates an alternative history of Elizabethan England, focusing on an oft-debated theory - the question of Shakespearean authorship, recommending that the works of William Shakespeare were not written by the guy they are typically attributed to, however by Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford.

Plot Summary
The film's narrative is set versus the background of political intrigue, illegal love in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles hungry for power. Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans), Earl of Oxford, is portrayed as the genuine author of Shakespeare's works, played out as a political coup to stir public belief against the Tudors. Shakespeare (Rafe Spall) exists as an illiterate star who is used as a front to release de Vere's plays.

The narrative toggles in between two time lines: the disobedience against Queen Elizabeth I (Vanessa Redgrave) led by the Earl of Essex in 1601, and the young Elizabeth's (Joely Richardson) court in the 1570s to 80s, where de Vere, her supposed invalid child and sometimes her fan, is caught in a loveless marital relationship with a Cecil, the daughter of the queen's most relied on consultant.

Secret Themes
The central theme of "Anonymous" rests on the facility that Shakespeare's plays were political tools used by the elite to shape public opinion, therefore, the movie challenges the legitimacy of Shakespeare's authorship. It presents political deceit, adjustment, and concerns of legitimacy versus a background of the Elizabethan court's political and cultural happenings. The use of art as a form of indirect political manipulation is a pivotal point of the story.

Criticism
"Anonymous" has actually been criticized for its historical errors, particularly in its presentation of the Earl of Oxford as the real author of Shakespeare's works, a theory likewise referred to as "Oxfordian Theory". The movie is rife with mistakes relating both to the Earl's own life and the context in which he lived. Regardless of this, it has actually likewise been praised for its extravagant production values, immersive cinematography, and compelling performances.

Conclusion
In essence, "Anonymous" is an enthusiastic and interesting, if controversial, revisionist take on Elizabethan history and Shakespearean authorship. Whether one subscribes to its alternative view of history or not, the film's visual appeal and craft can not be ignored. It unfolds as a complex, layered, and darkly extravagant tale of power and art, anchored by strong efficiencies, in specific that of Rhys Ifans as the Earl of Oxford and Vanessa Redgrave as the older Elizabeth I.

Top Cast

  • Jamie Campbell Bower (small)
    Jamie Campbell Bower
    Young Earl of Oxford
  • Rhys Ifans (small)
    Rhys Ifans
    Edward de Vere
  • David Thewlis (small)
    David Thewlis
    William Cecil
  • Joely Richardson (small)
    Joely Richardson
    Princess Elizabeth Tudor
  • Vanessa Redgrave (small)
    Vanessa Redgrave
    Queen Elizabeth I
  • Sebastian Armesto (small)
    Sebastian Armesto
    Ben Jonson
  • Rafe Spall (small)
    Rafe Spall
    William Shakespeare
  • Edward Hogg (small)
    Edward Hogg
    Robert Cecil
  • Xavier Samuel (small)
    Xavier Samuel
    Earl of Southampton
  • Sam Reid (small)
    Sam Reid
    Earl of Essex
  • Paolo De Vita (small)
    Paolo De Vita
    Francesco