Roland Emmerich is an interesting filmmaker. When he’s not busy destroying the world (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012), he’s giving us films that offer intriguing looks at different periods of history (The Patriot, 10,000 B.C.). His newest film, Anonymous, deals with a time period and more importantly, a conspiracy that I’ve always been particularly interested in. Have you ever heard people say that William Shakespeare, despite being considered the world’s greatest author, actually never wrote a single word. I know, crazy right? Well Mr. Emmerich doesn’t seem to think so. Check out the plot summary for his new film below.
Set in the political snake-pit of Elizabethan England, “Anonymous” speculates on an issue that has for centuries intrigued academics and brilliant minds such as Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Sigmund Freud, namely: who actually created the body of work credited to William Shakespeare? Experts have debated, books have been written, and scholars have devoted their lives to protecting or debunking theories surrounding the authorship of the most renowned works in English literature. “Anonymous” poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when scandalous political intrigue, illicit romances in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles lusting for the power of the throne were brought to light in the most unlikely of places: the London stage.
Like I said, a very interesting conspiracy. I always love conspiracies and films that deal with them and this film looks like it’s right up my alley. Hitting theatres on September 30th, the film looks to carry some very high production values, which is normal for Emmerich and it looks to offer up a sizzling conspiracy thriller. What do you think? Was Shakespeare a fraud? Watch the trailer below and see what you think.
