One of the most simultaneously fascinating and rich movie experiences of 2019 has come home on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download—All Is True. The story follows William Shakespeare (Kenneth Branagh), who has retired and returned to his familial community, far away from the hubbub of London where the writer was the largest toast of the town that could be humanly possible. What happened to Shakespeare at that point has been wholly ignored in popular culture, and for those of us who treasure his work, it has remained a mystery.
Branagh, who also directed the enlightening and entertaining feature, is firmly in his element here as one of the foremost experts on The Bard that exists. The script by Ben Elton came after exhaustive research and as was explained to me in my exclusive Kenneth Branagh interview for All is True, it was Elton who first thought to go down this rabbit hole that is whatever happened to Shakespeare when he left London.
As shown in this new must-own home video release, after the fire that decimated his Globe theater, Shakespeare would never write another word again. It was a retirement, sure, but it doesn’t seem like it was the iconic writer’s idea. After running a successful theater for decades as he did, who knows exactly the reason why, but there was something about the idea of having to start over again that literally pushed him to return to Stratford.
After witnessing All is True, in hindsight it might be a tough call to determine which would have been more difficult—starting over building a new theater from the ashes of The Globe or returning home to a wife and children who hardly knew him. See, while William Shakespeare was in London all those years, his wife and family remained at the family homestead. His return home was met with mixed emotions by his clan and also put him in an interesting spot with his fellow “locals.” The class system was alive and well in those days (it could be argued it still is) and for someone like Shakespeare who was clearly “new money,” he (and his clan) would never be seen as on the same level as those old money families that ruled—to some extent—the town. That latter aspect frustrated the legendary auteur to end. To many in his community, regardless of his success, he would always be the son of a man with questionable stand in the town.
Branagh is incredible as Shakespeare … would we expect anything different? In a stroke of casting genius, he tapped his longtime friend Judi Dench to portray his wife Anne Hathaway. Also fantastic is Ian McKellen as Shakespeare’s “sponsor,” for lack of a better word, Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton. Not only does All is True contain an extraordinary look at the greatest writer of all-time and what happened when he stopped putting quill to paper, but it is an acting clinic of the highest order. All involved (right on down to the smallest walk-on part) appear to be so moved by the subject matter and tenor of Branagh’s latest directorial stunner that each raises their talent level exponentially. Yes, that is saying a lot when we’re talking about a global treasure such as Dench. But what she does with Hathaway is something truly special. This is no wallflower who is just pleased as punch to be married to the greatest living writer of the day and the financial success that comes along with that. She is also no 17th century wallflower who doesn’t speak up when her husband doesn’t live up to his promise. Note to self: Never be on the other end of Dench when she’s not happy with you!
All is True becomes the most touching of tales as we get a front row seat to the must humanistic side of a man whose work has transcended centuries. Witnessing him become the father and husband whose greatness potentially could rival his writing talents is just one spoke in the wheel of awesomeness that is Branagh’s latest Shakespearian journey. There are elements that will emotionally decimate you (I didn’t know of a familial tragedy that haunted the Bard until witnessing this movie), set a fire in your soul (got to love it when a father sticks up for his daughter) and there’s even just the right amount of humor throughout (for all of his prose prowess, let’s just say his gardening techniques leave a lot to be desired).
When it comes to bonus features, let All is True serve as the benchmark for all other titles that will be released this year (and the next for that matter). Branagh not only has the command of the filmmaking aspect of this arena, but the choices he makes in terms of what aspects of the making of the movie to shine a spotlight on, are splendid.
The eight behind-the-scenes bonus features are individually impressive and collectively simply astounding. Then, there’s the Q&A with Branagh where he goes deep on the production itself, the themes of the script and what inspired him to tell this Shakespeare story.
The Blu-Ray™, DVD, and digital release of ALL IS TRUE includes eight behind-the-scenes featurettes and a Q&A with Kenneth Branagh, in which he explores the production, themes, and inspirations behind the film. Multiple featurettes go in depth with the cast and crew on bringing the script and character to life, including “Becoming Shakespeare,” in which hair and make-up designer Vanessa White and prosthetic make-up designer Neill Gorton transform Branagh into William Shakespeare; “Judi Dench”, in which Judi Dench paints a picture of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, and her ties to playing her role; and “Family Drama,” which showcases what is at the heart of the film and many of Shakespeare’s works. Additional featurettes include how Branagh interpreted the last years of Shakespeare’s relatively unexplored final years – in “Fact or Fiction,” and “Visiting Stratford: The Story Behind All Is True,” a thorough review of Shakespeare’s history in Stratford, featuring the researchers, historians, and volunteers from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
In no particular order, the featurettes all shine and here’s a quick look at each—without giving away too much. Let’s just say, I’ve never invoked a no-spoiler clause in the bonus featurettes review, but the least said about each, the better to best enjoy and cherish this movie miracle. Shakespeare Comes Home is exactly as it sounds and follows the journey from the London living large writer who now holds a simpler way of life dear to his heart. One never got the sense witnessing the movie that he regretted his decision to “retire” and come home. That shines through this featurette dazzlingly.
The Bard’s Reckoning is a truly captivating look at what it meant to be Shakespeare in that time and all the external factors that went into that fateful return home on a multitude of levels. Fact or Fiction is an electric look at what Branagh, and company expounded on to add dramatic effect and what was the true reality of All is True. You’d be surprised at much of it!
Becoming Shakespeare is the crème de la crème of bonus features because what Branagh brings to the part takes us 9/10ths of the way to this characterization that could not have been brighter. The last fraction was achieved with his look, from prosthetics to makeup and hair, the effort to turn Kenneth Branagh into William Shakespeare was certainly what sent the entire endeavor to heights that could never have been imagined when this film was merely in the idea stage. Hopefully, Oscar voters will remember this little film when voting happens because those hair and makeup wizards deserve their adoration.
Judi Dench and Ian McKellen is exactly as it would seem—terrific featurettes that shine the bright spotlight on two-thirds of the leading actors in this production. It goes without saying, but the film would have been a quarter of the sensationalness that it is had those two talent titans not been onboard.
An intriguing featurette lands with A Family Drama, which delves deeper into that familial dynamic I spoke of earlier in terms of the relationship with his kids and his wife. Also, of note, how he felt about his father and how his dad was perceived by his fellow township citizenry is insightful to put it mildly.
The last of the eight featurettes, Visiting Stratford: The Story Behind All Is True, will make you want to add the community to your visit itinerary for your next trip to Britain. It is a delightful journey through the streets of the town that gave us the greatest writer in the history of humankind.
Lastly, That Q&A with Kenneth Branagh is as insightful as one would expect, but also pricelessly pleasurable. This is a man who firmly knows what it is that enriches us when we turn to the various mediums that entertain us. He is well spoken, informative and above all else … passionate about everything he does. So much so, that it is contagious. Don’t be surprised if your All is True viewing (with all those bonus featurettes) doesn’t have you looking around and wondering what brilliance you can bring to your world.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A+