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Coriolanus

United Kingdom

2011

122 Min
Color
2.35:1
English
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
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DIR Ralph Fiennes

EXEC Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Christopher Figg, James Gallimore, Marko Miskovic, Robert Whitehouse

PROD Ralph Fiennes, John Logan, Gabrielle Tana, Julia Taylor-Stanley, Colin Vaines

SCR John Logan, William Shakespeare

DP Barry Ackroyd

CAST Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Brian Cox, James Nesbitt, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Chastain, Ashraf Barhom, Dragan Mićanović, Lubna Azabal

ED Nicolas Gaster

PROD DES Ricky Eyres

MUSIC Ilan Eshkeri

SOUND Ray Beckett

Berlinale (Competition), Toronto (Special Presentations), London (Galas & Special Screenings), Mill Valley (Great Brits), Chicago (Special Presentations), AFI FEST (Special Screenings), Stockholm (Competition)

Synopsis

Rome in the 4th century B.C. The citizens are in a mutinous mood. The rich are hoarding grain, the poor are starving and rebellion is in the air. One of the main targets of the general malcontent is Caius Martius, a haughty general who makes no secret of his disdain for plebeians. The Volscians begin to gather before the city, and the situation becomes critical. Their leader is Tullus Aufidius, a formidable military commander and arch-enemy of Caius Martius. A decisive battle takes place near the town of Corioles; thanks to the personal valour of General Caius Martius, the Roman army emerges victorious. His bravery earns him the epithet ‘Coriolanus’ – the one who liberated Corioles. Coriolanus is now popular enough to enter politics. He is urged to do so by his mother Volumnia, and his old mentor Menenius is also willing to help him rise to power. But first Coriolanus needs to be elected. This volatile soldier is anything but a good speaker and winning ways are anathema to his nature. Provoked by his political opponents Coriolanus insults the plebeians during a public appearance, and this puts an end to his political ambitions. The people rebel against him and are only placated by the lifelong banishment of their former war hero from the city. Coriolanus leaves Rome, bent on revenge. If he is to conquer Rome he needs the military support of his nemesis, Tullus Aufidius.

For his directorial debut, actor Ralph Fiennes chose to transpose Shakespeare’s play, originally written around 1607, to the present. The play’s dialogue has remained unchanged. –Berlinale

Director

Original

Ralph Fiennes

Fiennes trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He began his career at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park and, also during the late 1980s, the National Theatre before becoming a star in the Royal Shakespeare Company. Fiennes first worked on screen in 1990 and then made his film debut in 1992 as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights opposite Juliette Binoche, for which he received substantial acclaim and praise throughout Europe.

1993 was his “breakout year”. He had a major role in the controversial Peter Greenaway film The Baby of Mâcon with Julia Ormond. Though the film was poorly received, Fiennes’ career suffered no lasting consequences. Later that year he became known internationally for portraying the amoral Nazi concentration camp commandant Amon Göth in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List. For this he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He did not win the Oscar, but did win the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA Award for the role. His portrayal as… read more

Wall

Displaying 4 of 14 wall posts.
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FCC 86

11May12

"O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge"

adamhowardcross likes this

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FailedImitator

11May12

Technically, it was impeccable -- almost flawless in its execution -- and of course Vanessa Redgrave is pure class. But there's just something about it that didn't click. Maybe it was my mood when I saw it, but it just didn't do it for me.

Francisco likes this

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Justin Oakey

17Apr12

An impressively interesting adaptation of one of Shakespeare's greatest plays. The present day proves to be a wonderful setting for a tragedy rife with pride and revenge, using war torn Eastern European states as a backdrop. Fiennes' performance, among others, is as compelling as it is startling - and technically the film is masterful, as well. One will find beautiful cinematography and a very stark edit.

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Artemis

11Apr12

An appropriately visceral and defiant adaptation of a Shakespeare gem. Fiennes and Butler are adequate, but it is Redgrave who reminds us that the bard must be performed to be believed - and goodness, does she ever.

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Fans

Displaying 5 of 48 fans.

Articles

Our roundup of essays and articles on this film.
W184

BAFTA Nominees and Winners 2012

By David Hudson on January 17, 2012

The Artist leads. Conspicuous in their total absence: Melancholia and The Tree of Life.

read article
W184

Daily Briefing. "The Tree of Life" Tops indieWIRE's 2011 Critics Survey

By David Hudson on December 20, 2011

Also: Forthcoming films from Cristian Mungiu and Abdellatif Kechiche, Jürgen Fauth’s novel and more lists and awards.

read article
W184

"The Tree of Life" Reigns O'er the San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards 2011

By David Hudson on December 12, 2011

Best Picture, Director and Cinematography. Nice showing, too, for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

read article
W184

"Anonymous," the Bard and "Coriolanus"

By David Hudson on October 24, 2011

Besides reviews of the films by Roland Emmerich and Ralph Fiennes, this roundup gathers all things recently Shakespearean.

read article
W184

Berlinale 2011. First 8 Films

By David Hudson on December 15, 2010

Ralph Fiennes's adaptation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus is among six world premieres in the first round of Competition titles in the Berlinale

read article

Ralph Fiennes Updates Shakespeare In CORIOLANUS Trailer

By Twitchfilm.com on December 17, 2011
We already reviewed Coriolanus back in February but as part of the build up to its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and its eventual theatrical release at the end of
read on Twitchfilm.com

CORIOLANUS Review

By Twitchfilm.com on May 17, 2011
[Our thanks to Shelagh Rowan-Legg for the following review.]William Shakespeare did not write for high society; he wrote for the masses. All of his plays were meant to be seen in a theatre that permitted
read on Twitchfilm.com

Lists

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Reviews

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literately-detached youth

By adamhow​ardcros​s on May 24, 2012

I thoroughly enjoyed Ralph Fiennes directorial debut, this modernisation of Shakespeare’s great tragedy is so powerful I hardly have words to describe it without coming across half-hearted and feeble…  read review

Rome in Tiber melt

By DT on April 10, 2012

Fiennes’ premiere foray behind the camera sees the veteran entering the arena on familiar footing but with an audacious application in itself; opting to stage one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays…  read review

Coriolanus

By Bobby Wise on February 26, 2011

In this Shakespeare adaptation Fiennes directs, produces and also stars in the title role. Vanessa Redgrave plays Volumnia, his proud mother and Gerard Butler plays Aufidius, his arch nemesis. The…  read review

Forum

Displaying 1 discussion topic.

Voldemort versus the Volscians

1 post by 1 person 7 months ago