"Anonymous"

There is alot of chatter amongst writers, actors, Directors and the likes of as to whether William Shakespeare wrote all those classic tales himself, or whether he "acquired them" and passed them off as his own. This film looks at that very debate.

Getting your work onto the stage during the reign of Queen Elizabeth was not an easy task. And it can be more difficult if you are part of the titled gentry, just like the Earl of Oxford. Such is the high quality of his writing, yet he cannot publish it under his own name, so allows a theatrical acquaintance to do so. But along the way, the waters become muddy, and the person who ends up claiming to have written these works is one William Shakespeare, despite the fact that he is illiterate.

The rightful ownership of "Macbeth" and "Romeo & Juliet" is just half of the story, with the other half dealing with the fight for the throne, as Queen Elizabeth comes ever closer to her death-bed, there are those who believe that James of Scotland should be King.
Despite wanting to see the struggle about Shakespeare and his works on screen, the Monarchy fight does seem to dominate, which was disappointing.
And for some bizarre reason, whenever Shakespeare is on screen, it seems to be purely for comic relief, and I am afraid to say that Rafe Spall gives the worst portrayal of William Shakpespeare I have ever seen.
Rhys Ifans is excellent as The Earl of Oxford, as is Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Elizabeth. And one never needs an excuse to see Sir Derek Jacobi on the big screen.
It is quite a departure for Director Roland Emmerich, who is normally associated with big blockbusters and films depicting the end of the world.

Not bad, but could have been greatly improved.........5 out of 10