AllMovie

Author and presenter Michael Wood hosts the four-part television documentary series In Search of Shakespeare, produced by Maya Vision in the U.K. Using a massive amount of research in the Public Records Office, the film is foremost a biography on the life and career of William Shakespeare. The production team compiled a chronological timeline of Shakespeare's life referred to as the Dossier. The series follows fictional detective John Fribbling as he investigates the possibly traitorous activity of the young playwright. The extremely thorough investigation reveals the players, locations, evidence, and works involved in Shakespeare's life. Set in 16th century England, it also incorporates sequences with the Royal Shakespeare Company performing in the places where the original plays were performed. Includes the episodes "A Time of Revolution," "The Lost Years," "The Duty of Poets," and "For All Time." In Search of Shakespeare premiered on PBS in February of 2004.