AllMovie

The NBC presentation Shakespeare: The Soul of an Age provides a broad picture of the world which influenced England's greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. It also examines the impact the Bard had on the culture of his day. The documentary chronicles the years of monarchy and civil war in the Elizabethan age. Footage is shot on location depicting the beautiful landscapes of Wales, England, Scotland, and France, where Shakespeare lived and worked. Maps, paintings, and woodcuts along with a narration compiled from 15 of the writer's plays combine to invoke a complete illustration of Shakespeare's world. Sir Ralph Richardson and Sir Michael Redgrave recite passages from the Bard's comedies and tragedies.