Shakespeare has never been brought to the screen with such a truly original flare! Julie Taymor directs the Bards least well known tragedy (as well as his most violent and bloody) with such unique style and visual flair that Fellini would be jealous. Creating a highly stylized world that is cobbled together with pieces of Ancient Rome, fascist Italy, and modern technologies, Taymor sees this Shakespeare play as a comment on man’s murderous nature towards his fellow man throughout history (hence the sets from several different time periods). Violent acts of war, revenge, political revolts, racial hatred’s etc. all beget violence and of course, violence begets more violence. Okay, so thematically it isn’t the most stimulating play Shakespeare ever wrote and Taymor knows that, hence she has her dazzling set pieces taking center stage more so than the prose of the world’s best dramatist. The film is violent, beautiful and fun as hell! The cast includes Anthony Hopkins giving a commanding lead performances with Jessica Lange and Alan Cumming and Geraldine McEwan offering solid support.

Overly long but the cast is tremendous showing their craft given this is a Shakespearen play

This madhouse is presented through a genius mishmash of a child's imagination, where he crosses fascist architecture, Roman aesthetics, and modern weaponry. The result is a production that will grip you to the end just to see what bizarre costumes, props, or locations they will use in the next scene.

Best Shakespeare adaptation ever. This play never got into your English class in High School and I wish it did. Its a Bloody gorey epic; "Rome is a Slaughterhouse" - and so is America esp 3 years after this flick when 9/11 happened. We love blood. Want teenagers to pay attention? Show them this movie. Of course its too gorey for school. Fun fact: When I saw this in 99 I had no idea it was shakespeare, I just thought it was an acid trip of a mindf__ which was really a thing in the 90's; Memento, 12 monkeys, Pulp Fiction, it was all about movies to see in dorm room haze. I got the DVD but I lost it loaning it out. Torrents baby.

Sometimes visually distracting but the acting is strong.

It's long. Excellent performances by actors and Anthony Hopkins. This modern adaptation is a challenging take because it seems like the original play is the least acclaimed one by Shakespeare. It's gross and disturbing but it's inherited from the original. I think the director, big name in theatre, created an interesting visionary world using the material. Could be more lean on the silly tragicomdedic side.

Dreadful. Like a serious Princess Bride with all the serious actors to go with - but just terrible. Shakespeare is difficult to adapt, but director Taymor makes it near impossible to follow what's going on by interjecting sparse dialogue between bizarre imagery.

It's a bit overlong, but it's a dynamic adaptation of the bard's work. It's a little hard to follow, unless you are familiar with the text, but it does a hell of a job keeping you engaged.

One of Shakespeare's earliest, most intense and underrated plays: deliberately over-the-top because the theme of vengeance is like that. Hopkins is awesome as the title character: Hannibal Lecter meets King Lear.

Utterly original and jaw-dropping! Jessica Lange devours the screen!! I guarantee that 99.9% of today's movie audience has never seen anything quite like this from the Bard...!!! :D

Pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoyed this film.

I'm not really a horror movie or no blood and gets movie but this is crazy believe this was written in 1588 best guesstimate

A masterpiece as timeless as is Shakespeare but it requires thought to understand human nature, to understand why we do what we do.

I've tried & so wanted to appreciate it a bit more... however.

A visual and audible feast. Tho Taymore could have picked up the pace in a few areas it remains truthfully gruesome to its source material

Julie Taymor's anachronistic mess. Why on earth was this film was made in this way? I simply can't understand, and I'm sure her financiers are wondering the same thing now. I'm glad this movie was a box office flop. Perhaps she would have learnt a lesson not to waste the audience's time on her liberal stylish whims. This extreme hoity-toity is for those wanna-be "artsies" that want to be part of their groupthink crowd, rather than stating the obvious - this sucks! Outside of anachronistic setting, this film may have been virtually perfect. The acting is excellent, except for the overacted, dreadful performances of the Goth Queen's sons. Hopkins nails his role. The settings were terrific if only they stayed within the period. The music is as foolish as the modern setting. Most of the time, when the music and setting are within a Roman period, you focus on the plot and dialogue and appreciate the drama. However, it seems that every now and again, modern music and setting are uncomfortably forced upon the audience, as if to make a statement that this film may be "cool" or "avant garde". Julie Taymor effectively achieves neither and the viewer is left angry for the interruption. This movie could have been an 4.0-4.5 stars if it were just left as Shakespeare intended. I did not mind the 2:42 hour length. Most of the visuals were absolutely stunning. Others were horrible. I also get the fact that Julie Taymor may have taking anachronistic liberties on an old play to give it a fresh twist. But, this is Titus Andronicus after all, not Hamlet. This is not a popular Shakespearean play, and could have used an original and genuine cinematic representation. My only wish is that this same cast and most of the sets and style would be redone in its originally intended setting. Perhaps a mature director and producer can film this play again one day with Kenneth Branagh (or even Anthony Hopkins!) for a wider and more genuine adaptation. Julie Taymor should stick to theatre and stay far from cinema.

Titus is a very uneven production where the positives outweigh the negatives. The 90s, early 20th century, and Roman era are combined to make for a surreal, fanciful, and often grotesque aesthetic. The acting and directing are at times strong and at others weak. Anthony Hopkins and Harry Lennix both give memorable performances. More recommended to those who enjoy experimental productions than to those who are looking for a classical rendition.

Classic gruesome tale. I Followed along with the Shakespearean script. Had no idea how wicked it was; more so than "King Lear." Not for the faint-of-heart. At least I know the story now.....

Psychotic. Poor acting. Tries too hard.

While its acting is strong and its style is impressive, Titus doesn't grab your attention. When interesting thing happen, the film picks up but only to drop down to the same slow pace. It's language is not modernized, which makes anyone watching a little confused. It's run time is WAY too long. It actually took me a week to watch this film, because I would get so annoyed, I'd just stop and continue the next day. I love Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange, they're the films strongest elements. Overall, Titus is a dazzlingly strong acted adaptation of Shakespeare's bloodiest play, but its run-time makes it so boring and the plot raises too many questions.