All Is True
All Is True is a 2018 British historical drama film directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as William Shakespeare.[1] Written by Ben Elton, it portrays the playwright's final three years of life, beginning with the 1613 fire that destroyed London's Globe Theatre, after which he retires to his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon to reconnect with his estranged family.[1] The film premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on 3 January 2019 and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on 21 December 2018, followed by wider distribution in 2019.[2][3] The story centers on Shakespeare's grief over the death of his son Hamnet seventeen years earlier, his strained relationships with wife Anne (Judi Dench) and daughters Susanna (Lydia Wilson) and Judith (Kathryn Wilder), and encounters with figures from his past, including the Earl of Southampton (Ian McKellen).[1] Blending melancholy reflection with moments of humor, the narrative explores themes of legacy, family secrets, and personal redemption, set against the backdrop of early 17th-century England.[4] Filmed primarily at Dorney Court in Buckinghamshire, the production emphasizes intimate character drama over spectacle, with Branagh drawing on his extensive experience in Shakespearean adaptations.[1] The film's title derives from the alternative name of Shakespeare's collaborative play Henry VIII, which premiered at the Globe just before the theatre's accidental burning during a performance.[4] Produced by Sony Pictures Classics, All Is True features a supporting cast including Hadley Fraser, Jack Colgrave Hirst, and Gerard Horan, and highlights the roles of women in Shakespeare's life amid the era's patriarchal constraints.[1] Critically, the film received mixed to positive reviews, earning a 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 142 critic scores, with the consensus praising its "impressively cast and beautifully filmed" elegiac tone.[5] Reviewers commended Branagh's nuanced performance and the film's thoughtful examination of Shakespeare's human side, though some noted its sentimental pacing and fictionalized elements.[4] It grossed over $1.2 million at the domestic box office, appealing primarily to audiences interested in literary biography and period drama.[5]Narrative Elements
Plot Summary
In 1613, during a performance of Henry VIII at the Globe Theatre in London, a cannon misfire ignites a fire that destroys the playhouse, prompting playwright William Shakespeare to retire from his career and return to his family home in Stratford-upon-Avon.[6][7] Upon his arrival, Shakespeare reunites with his wife Anne Hathaway, who has long managed the household in his absence; his elder daughter Susanna, married to physician John Hall; and his younger daughter Judith, who remains unmarried and harbors deep resentment toward her father.[6][8] He spends his days tending a memorial garden for his son, struggling with writer's block, and reflecting on his legacy, but he is haunted by the death of his only son, Hamnet—who was Judith's twin—who died at age 11 seventeen years earlier.[7][8][9] Central conflicts emerge as Shakespeare probes family secrets, including revelations about Hamnet's final days, his supposed poetic talents, and the emotional toll of his loss on each family member; Anne maintains a protective silence about the circumstances, while Judith accuses her father of emotional neglect and favoritism toward his lost son.[6][7] A visit from Shakespeare's former patron, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, stirs memories of his London life and adds to his introspection, but it also highlights his isolation from his family.[6] Tensions culminate in heated confrontations where Shakespeare confronts his own absences during Hamnet's illness and death—revealed to have occurred while he was away writing—and reckons with the women's unspoken grief and burdens he overlooked.[8][7] Through these revelations, partial reconciliations form, allowing Shakespeare to find some peace with Anne and his daughters; the film concludes with his death on April 23, 1616, and a quiet moment underscoring enduring familial bonds.[6][8]Cast and Roles
The principal cast of All Is True includes veteran actors known for their work in Shakespearean productions, forming an ensemble that brings depth to the biographical drama's exploration of family and legacy. Kenneth Branagh stars as William Shakespeare, portraying the renowned playwright in his later years as he returns to Stratford-upon-Avon after decades in London. Judi Dench plays Anne Shakespeare, the playwright's wife, depicted as a resilient figure managing the family home amid long separations. Ian McKellen portrays Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton, a historical patron of Shakespeare who visits the family, adding layers of intellectual and aristocratic interplay to the ensemble dynamics. Kathryn Wilder embodies Judith Shakespeare, the younger daughter grappling with personal ambitions and societal expectations as an unmarried woman in early 17th-century England. Lydia Wilson appears as Susanna Hall (née Shakespeare), the elder daughter who is married and represents stability within the family structure. Supporting roles include Sam Ellis as Hamnet Shakespeare, the playwright's deceased son whose memory haunts the narrative, emphasizing themes of loss and regret.| Actor | Role | Description of Function in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Branagh | William Shakespeare | The central figure, a retired playwright seeking reconciliation with his family after professional triumphs. |
| Judi Dench | Anne Shakespeare | The long-suffering wife overseeing the household and confronting unresolved marital tensions. |
| Ian McKellen | Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton | A noble patron whose interactions highlight Shakespeare's past connections and reflections on patronage. |
| Kathryn Wilder | Judith Shakespeare | The unmarried younger daughter facing pressures to conform while pursuing her own path. |
| Lydia Wilson | Susanna Hall | The married elder daughter, embodying familial duty and the challenges of motherhood. |
| Sam Ellis | Hamnet Shakespeare | The late son, appearing in visions that underscore paternal grief and its impact on the family. |