AS YOU LIKE IT

Cinemavixion Review

Paul Czinner's 1936 adaptation of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' offers a visually rich, albeit somewhat constrained, interpretation of the Bard's pastoral comedy. Elisabeth Bergner's spirited portrayal of Rosalind, particularly in her cross-dressing disguise, anchors the film, while Laurence Olivier lends a brooding intensity to Orlando. The Forest of Arden is depicted with a certain theatrical grandeur, serving as a backdrop for the intricate dance of love and mistaken identity. While the film captures the play's romantic entanglements and thematic explorations of nature versus courtly life, its pacing occasionally falters, and some performances lean towards the melodramatic. Despite these minor drawbacks, it remains a noteworthy cinematic rendition, bringing the timeless wit and charm of Shakespeare to a mid-20th-century audience, and showcasing a compelling central performance.