Never, EVER had I watched a film, and just as the credits begin to roll, immediately restarted the film to watch, again. This film "Anonymous" is the first I'd ever done such a thing,...well I did somewhat the same with "Great Expectations (the original), "Wuthering Heights," (the original), and okay...Scorsese's "Age of Innocence."I truly enjoy watching this film "Anonymous," and will add this film to my DVD collection. The actors...well...come on...STELLAR!A film that you would have to watch without any breaks, oh yeah, or you can pause it if you gotta, go; if you know what I mean. What I found out at the end of this film, did blow my mind, as did one actor, playing 'said' role, when he discovered a *truth.*If you love and enjoy watching films and tele series about the Tudors, Elizabethan period, the works of *Shakespeare*, and historical/period works of cinema, then this is your film to watch. It will make ya go, Hmmmmm...what if.Thanks for reading.

I traded my 'Cloud Atlas' for this film from my Nana...But she came through with this one.'Anonymous'is set back around the time of Shakespeare, the famous play write..Or was he? According to this film... he was illiterate! Well, he could read but writing? According to this, a man named Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, was one who wrote the great plays. Edward played by Rhys Ifans, who i normally don't find interesting or like, gave a capturing performance as Edward. He was able to give the presents, the power and the authority needed to play this role. As well as Jamie Campbell Bower who plays his younger self, who managed to capture the seductive and charming side of Edward.Vanessa Redgrave plays Elizabeth the first, who performance was different from others I've seen. She shows the queen's...Fun side, if i may put it like that. As well as being authoritative when needed to be. Joely Richardson who plays the younger Elizabeth, and who is Vanessa'a real life daughter, managed to do the same. She shows her beauty, her devilish side and maybe a bit rebellious nature. As the film goes on, there are a lot of plot twists that i never seen coming. This film capture the beauty, the dark side and the passion of the Shakespearean era and if you've ever done of Shakespeare's alleged plays, many are mentioned and will have you reciting along.

Well produced, extremely well acted, beautifully presented. Worth seeing. So,what else would you need to know about this film? It is deliciously entertaining and an interesting exploration of Shakespearian authenticity.I am neither a Stratfordian nor an Oxfordian but have a fairly open mind about exactly who, and what, Shakespeare really was. In that context, this was a very pleasant film.It did not resolve any issues for me (I am an Englishman and have never.exactly, worshipped the Shakespeare of my school days, 50+ years ago)but did enthrall me like a good detective story. If the purpose of a film is to entertain, to absorb me into the story, this film certainly meets that criteria. I bought the DVD cheap and had it sitting around for 12 days (there is no significance to watching it on the Twelfth Night). Frankly it didn't look as interesting as others I bought at the same time.Which just goes to show that not everything is as it seems at first glance. That, I guess, is the main thrust of the film.

I have seen this movie a dozen times and own it on DVD, and I still watch every moment in awe. Although the movie contains much speculation about many things, it is well designed, executed and the actors as well as the production should have mopped the Oscars the year that it was released. There are deep moments, joyful moments, humor etc etc...and you reach the end and only wish to watch it again. If you are looking for the usual story of Shakespeare, this movie is not for you. If you are looking to expand your concept of what could have been, have your perception of Shakespeare jarred with a deeper and more intricate account with historical truth, and are willing to watch this movie with an open mind, then you will agree that Anonymous is pure excellence, and it gives me hope as a movie viewer that talent lives.