Titus (1999)
83%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
4 wins & 19 nominations total
Titus, Julie Taymor’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, is a film that is both grandiose and grotesque. Taymor’s bold vision is a feast for the eyes, with stunning visuals and a cast that delivers powerful performances. However, the film’s unrelenting violence and bleakness may be too much for some viewers. Nevertheless, Taymor’s willingness to take risks and push boundaries makes Titus a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience. It’s a film that demands to be seen, even if it’s not always easy to watch.
Titus is a wild ride through Shakespeare’s twisted tale of revenge and betrayal. Critics have praised the film for its striking visuals and powerful performances, but let’s be real, we’re all here for the gore. From severed heads to cannibalistic feasts, Titus delivers on the blood and guts. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for a Shakespearean horror movie, this is the one for you. Just don’t watch it while you’re eating dinner.
Production Company(ies)
Guangxi Film Studio, Beijing New Picture Film
Distributor
Fox
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Pula, Croatia
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong violent and sexual images
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:2h 42m
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Language(s):English, Latin
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 18, 2006
Genre(s)
History/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Colm Feore, James Frain, Laura Fraser, directed by Julie Taymor, written by William Shakespeare and Julie Taymor, History, Drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Todd McCarthy, Andrew Sarris, Geoff Andrew, Liam Lacey, Peter Travers, Chase Burns, David Keyes, Bob Grimm, Ken Hanke, Keith H Brown, MPAA rating R, Conchita Airoldi, Jody Patton, Julie Taymor produced by
Worldwide gross: $2,259,680
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,919,225
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,239
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 427,396
US/Canada gross: $2,007,290
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,481,475
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,909
US/Canada opening weekend: $22,313
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $38,700
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,277
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jessica Lange – Tamora
Alan Cumming – Saturninus
Colm Feore – Marcus Andronicus
James Frain – Bassianus
Laura Fraser – Lavinia
Conchita Airoldi – Producer
Jody Patton – Producer
Julie Taymor – Producer, Writer
William Shakespeare – Writer
Director(s)
Julie Taymor
Writer(s)
William Shakespeare, Julie Taymor
Producer(s)
Conchita Airoldi, Jody Patton, Julie Taymor
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
4 wins & 19 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (76) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (24)
A conditional victory.
June 17, 2008
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
A consistently absorbing entertainment that never becomes either campy or facetious, given its inescapable exaggerations.
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
A striking addition to the Shakespeare filmography.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Along with everything else, the acting styles here clash, though the dissonance serves the drama’s bellicose theme.
April 25, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Eager to allow Shakespeare’s words to shine through as clearly as possible, Taymor shoots the dialogue scenes fairly straight, with a minimum of background action.
December 2, 2002
John Wrathall
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Jessica Lange as Tamora, the captured Goth queen, seethes with sexuality and vengeance.
May 11, 2001 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
Taymor understands how to direct an epic opera, and the large scale sensuality she embeds into the film tempers the play’s worst impulses.
January 20, 2022
Chase Burns
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
…audaciously steps outside of the tradition when it comes to film adaptations of the bard’s works, but it also does so much more: notably, find distinct meaning in a play where all notions of importance lacked a central point.
September 30, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Keyes
Cinemaphile.org
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Bob Grimm
Sacramento News & Review
This may just be the most striking and unsettling translation of Shakespeare ever committed to film.
March 26, 2008 | Rating: 5/5
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It’s hard to see it matching the success of other recent adaptations of the Bard.
December 7, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/5
Keith H. Brown
Eye for Film
At once mesmerizing and jarring to the point that the audience can never get comfortable in the film.
July 14, 2007 | Rating: 2/4
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound…
Plot
War begets revenge. Victorious General Titus Andronicus (Sir Anthony Hopkins) returns to Rome with hostages: Tamora (Jessica Lange), Queen of the Goths, and her sons. He orders the eldest hewn to appease the Roman dead. He declines the proffered Emperor’s crown, nominating Saturninus (Alan Cumming), the last ruler’s venal elder son. Saturninus, to spite his brother Bassianus (James Frain), demands the hand of Lavinia (Laura Fraser), Titus’ daughter. When Bassianus, Lavinia, and Titus’ sons flee in protest, Titus stands against them and slays one of his own. Saturninus marries the honey-tongued Tamora, who vows vengeance against Titus. The ensuing maelstrom serves up tongues, hands, rape, adultery, racism, and Goth-meat pie. There’s irony in which two sons survive.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, and Alan Cumming.
Julie-Taymor.jpg
