Directed by:
Michael RadfordCinematography:
Benoît DelhommeComposer:
Jocelyn PookCast:
Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris Marshall, Charlie Cox, Heather Goldenhersh, Mackenzie Crook, John Sessions (more)Plots(1)
November 23 2003: Nine weeks of principal photography commenced on location in Luxembourg and Venice, Italy on director Michael Radford’s THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, which he adapted and scripted from William Shakespeare’s classic play.
Set in 16th century Venice, Shakespeare’s timeless comedy/drama follows the fates and fortunes of a group of Christian noblemen and their interactions with the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Antonio (Irons) borrows money from Shylock (Pacino) to help his young penniless friend Bassanio (Fiennes) in his quest to win the hand of the fair Portia (Collins). Bitter at Antonio’s insults, Shylock stipulates very specific terms if he defaults on the loan. As Antonio’s shipping business is devastated by storms, Shylock is further angered by his daughter’s elopement with the nobleman Lorenzo (Cox). The loan falls due and Shylock claims his forfeit in the form of a pound of Antonio’s flesh. As Bassanio desperately tries to save Antonio from this fate, miraculous help comes from an unexpected quarter.
(official distributor synopsis)
Cast
![Al Pacino](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/996/163996803_3ab8a2.jpg)
Al Pacino
USA
Best movies:
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (TV movie)
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather (1972)
![Jeremy Irons](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/240/163240043_8440f5.jpg)
Jeremy Irons
UK
Best movies:
The Lion King (1994)
The Mission (1986)
The Hollow Crown (2012) (series)
![Joseph Fiennes](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270573_dd2423.jpg)
Joseph Fiennes
UK
Best movies:
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC (2016) (theatrical recording)
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
![Lynn Collins](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276236_fffe0a.jpg)
Lynn Collins
USA
Best movies:
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
50 First Dates (2004)
Unconditional (2012)
![Zuleikha Robinson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/277/277349_602cc0.jpg)
Zuleikha Robinson
UK
Best movies:
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
The Namesake (2006)
Hidalgo (2004)
![Kris Marshall](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/278/278123_775b66.jpg)
Kris Marshall
UK
Best movies:
Love Actually (2003)
Death at a Funeral (2007)
Doctor Zhivago (2002) (TV movie)
![Charlie Cox](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/612/166612339_590aa1.jpg)
Charlie Cox
UK
Best movies:
Stardust (2007)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
The Theory of Everything (2014)
![Heather Goldenhersh](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/426/426637_7120ff.jpg)
Heather Goldenhersh
USA
Best movies:
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
The Great Gatsby (2000) (TV movie)
Kinsey (2004)
![Mackenzie Crook](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/877/162877137_dc73f3.png)
Mackenzie Crook
UK
Best movies:
![John Sessions](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/251/164251495_813a8c.png)
John Sessions
UK
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
Loving Vincent (2017)
Hawking (2004) (TV movie)
![Gregor Fisher](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269381_528082.jpg)
Gregor Fisher
UK
Best movies:
Love Actually (2003)
Gormenghast (2000) (series)
1984 (1984)
![Ron Cook](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/387/162387510_5df3a5.png)
Ron Cook
UK
Best movies:
Chernobyl (2019) (series)
Secrets & Lies (1996)
Chocolat (2000)
![Allan Corduner](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/954/160954770_a2a3b1.jpg)
Allan Corduner
Sweden
Best movies:
Gladiator (2000)
Yentl (1983)
The Way We Live Now (2001) (series)
![Anton Rodgers](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/098/162098841_26ce14.jpg)
Anton Rodgers
UK
Best movies:
The Day of the Jackal (1973)
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Scrooge (1970)
![David Harewood](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/456/456101_e34e55.jpg)
David Harewood
UK
Best movies:
Blood Diamond (2006)
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1997) (series)
The Last Enemy (2008) (series)
![Antonio Gil](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/159/260/159260414_c8de5b.jpg)
Antonio Gil
Best movies:
Hornblower: Retribution (2001) (TV movie)
Chocolat (2000)
The Way (2010)
Jean-François Wolff
Belgium
Best movies:
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
A Distant Neighborhood (2010)
Byron (2003) (TV movie)
Jules Werner
Luxembourg
Best movies:
Irina Palm (2006)
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
House of Boys (2009)
![Tony Schiena](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/072/312/72312450_9462be.jpg)
Tony Schiena
Best movies:
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
Darc (2018)
The Door (2013)
Arnulf Schumacher
German Empire
Best movies:
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
23 (1998)
Tatort (1970) (series)