The Merchant of Venice (2004): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Merchant of Venice is a 2004 drama directed by Michael Radford, starring Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino and Joseph Fiennes. It is based on The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare and W. Moelwyn Merchant. It runs 2 hours 18 minutes and earned $21.6 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 2005. Critics gave it 63 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 18m (138 min)
- Director
- Michael Radford
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Budget
- $30M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Merchant of Venice About?
The premise of The Merchant of Venice without spoilers, adapted from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare and W. Moelwyn Merchant. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in 16th century Venice, the story follows a merchant who is unable to repay a substantial loan from a resentful Jewish moneylender. The loan was originally secured for a friend hoping to pursue a romantic relationship. When the debt becomes impossible to fulfill, the moneylender exacts a cruel and devastating penalty, setting in motion a chain of events filled with prejudice, betrayal, and the struggle for justice.
The Merchant of Venice Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- renaissance
- period drama
- based on shakespeare play
- co written by director
- woman disguised as a man
- jew
- prostitute
- pound of flesh
- gay subtext
- homosexual subtext
- reference to abraham
- based on a stage play
+38 more Show fewer
- 16th century
- actor recreates his stage role
- 1590s
- early modern period
- europe
- venetian
- canals of venice
- heirloom ring
- lace handkerchief
- duke character
- gloves as a gift
- catholicism
- lawyer
- christianity and judaism
- poetic justice
- lost ship
- servant
- all star cast
- test of love
- based on stage play
- base metal
- guarantor
- winner by forfeit
- 16th century literature on screen
- lady in waiting
- romantic reconciliation
- gender role reversal
- bow fishing
- courtroom scene
- death threat
- nobility
- famous twist
- famous speech
- heiress
- ring as a gift
- rich merchant
- courtship
- moor
The Merchant of Venice Cast
Jeremy Irons leads the cast, with Al Pacino and Joseph Fiennes. Directed by Michael Radford; 4 actors are credited in all.
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Director Michael Radford
More from Michael Radford
More films directed by Michael Radford, best-rated first: 1984, Flawless, Elsa & Fred and B. Monkey.
The Merchant of Venice Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Merchant of Venice 63 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 63 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB
The Merchant of Venice Plot Summary
What happens in The Merchant of Venice from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the vibrant city of Venice, an ambitious young nobleman named Bassanio hopes to win the heart of the wealthy and enchanting Portia. To pursue his romantic endeavor, he seeks financial assistance from his close friend, Antonio, a merchant. Unfortunately, Antonio’s ships are trapped at sea, leaving him unable to provide the necessary 3000 ducats. In a moment of desperation, Antonio turns to the infamous Jewish moneylender, Shylock, who is notorious for his unforgiving nature and bitter past with Antonio, including a recent insult that occurred when Shylock was spat upon.
Full summary
The whole story of The Merchant of Venice, scene by scene
The Merchant of Venice Box Office & Budget
The Merchant of Venice grossed $21.6 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 72% of what it cost. $3.8 million came from the US and Canada and $17.8 million (83%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$21.6M
72% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $3.8M
- International
- $17.8M
- Budget
- $30M
The Merchant of Venice Awards & Nominations
The Merchant of Venice earned 1 award nomination, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 2005.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
BAFTA 2005 1 nomination- Nominated Best Costume Design
The Merchant of Venice Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Merchant of Venice.
How Well Do You Know The Merchant of Venice?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is in love with Portia?
The Merchant of Venice Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “Kjøpmannen i Venedig” and “تاجر البندقية”.
- Also known as
-
- Kjøpmannen i Venedig
- تاجر البندقية
- William Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice
- Der Kaufmann von Venedig
- Il mercante di Venezia
- Venetsian kauppias
- Le Marchand de Venise
- O Mercador de Veneza
- El mercader de Venecia
- Venedik Taciri
- A velencei kalmár
- Köpmannen i Venedig
+16 more Show fewer
- Kupec benátský
- Венецианский купец
- Ο Εμπορος της Βενετίας
- הסוחר מוונציה
- 베니스의 상인
- Kupiec wenecki
- Købmanden i Venedig
- Венецианският търговец
- 威尼斯商人
- Venecijos pirklys
- ヴェニスの商人
- Neguțătorul din Veneția
- Венеційський купець
- El mercader de Venècia
- Mletački trgovac
- เวนิส วานิช แล่เนื้อชำระหนี้
Seen The Merchant of Venice?
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Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Merchant of Venice, The Merchant of Venice and The Merchant of Venice.
The Merchant of Venice FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Merchant of Venice, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice runs 2 hours 18 minutes (138 minutes).
When was The Merchant of Venice released?
The Merchant of Venice was released on December 29, 2004.
Who directed The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice was directed by Michael Radford.
More films by Michael Radford Who is in the cast of The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice stars Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino and Joseph Fiennes, among 4 credited actors.
How much did The Merchant of Venice make at the box office?
The Merchant of Venice grossed $21.6 million worldwide ($3.8 million domestic, $17.8 million international) on a budget of $30 million.
How is The Merchant of Venice rated?
The Merchant of Venice has 63 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
Is The Merchant of Venice based on a book?
Yes. The Merchant of Venice is adapted from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, W. Moelwyn Merchant and Peter Holland.
Was The Merchant of Venice nominated for any awards?
The Merchant of Venice received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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