A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999) - photo copyright © 20th Century Fox

Role: Duke Theseus
U.S. Release: 1999
Director: Michael Hoffman

Synopsis: Shakespeare's intertwined love polygons begin to get complicated from the start--Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia but she only has eyes for Lysander. The bad news,however, is Hermia's father wants Demetrius for a son-in-law. On the outside is Helena, whose unreturned love burns hot for Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to flee from the city under cover of darkness but are pursued by an enraged Demetrius (who is himself pursued by an enraptured Helena). In the forest, unbeknownst to the mortals, Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the faeries) are having a spat over a servant boy. The plot twists when Oberon's head mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking. Throw in a group of labourers preparing a play for the Duke's wedding (one of whom is given a donkey's head and Titania for a lover by Puck) and the complications, in true Shakespearean form, become fantastically funny.

Cast:
Kevin Kline .... Nick Bottom
Michelle Pfeiffer .... Titania
Stanley Tucci .... Puck (Robin Goodfellow)
Rupert Everett .... Oberon
Calista Flockhart .... Helena
Dominic West .... Lysander
Christian Bale .... Demetrius
Anna Friel .... Hermia
David Strathairn .... Duke Theseus
Sophie Marceau .... Hippolyta
Roger Rees .... Peter Quince
Sam Rockwell .... Francis Flute
Gregory Jbara .... Snug
Bill Irwin .... Tom Snout
Max Wright .... Robin Starveling

Favorite Quotes:
• [Reviewing possible plays to be presented] "'Battle with the Centaurs', to be sung by an Athenian eunuch to the harp. We'll none of that." - Duke Theseus

• "Merry and tragical? Tedious and brief? That is hot ice and wonderous strange snow." - Duke Theseus

• "No epilogue, I pray you, for your play needs no excuse. Never excuse, for when the players are all dead, there need none to be blamed." - Duke Theseus

Notes:
• David and co-star Calista Flockhart previously worked on the stage together in Three Sisters. The film also reunited David with actors Stanley Tucci and Bill Irwin, both of whom he had previously worked with in The Feud and Eight Men Out.
• The majority of A Midsummer Night's Dream was shot in Tuscany, Italy.

Critical Praise & Commentary:
• The only actor who comes out with his dignity and talent intact is David Strathairn as Theseus, who at least knows how to read his lines as they were written." -Movies 101

• "David Strathairn plays the Duke in reserved and dignified fashion." -John J. Puccio, DVD Town

(David On His Role:)
• "You can just point the camera in any direction on locations like this" [Tuscany, Italy]. "It's always going to look good." -David Strathairn, 1999

• [on being intimidated by his British co-stars] "I mean, here's the Duke, who sounds like he comes from somewhere between California and New England, and he's making an attempt to be, umm, dukely, but he's surrounded by all these good speakers." -David Strathairn, 1999

Related Links:
Official U.S. Site (off site)
Official Gregory Jbara Website - A Midsummer Night's Dream (off site)
Essay - Film vs. Play (off site)