A Taste of Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

In the three plays in this Shakespeare series (the others are Hamlet [VL-1/96] and The Merchant of Venice), key scenes are enacted while a narrator provides commentary and a summary of the deleted scenes (i.e., "after the party, Romeo gives his friends the slip and stays in the Capulet grounds"). I know you're thinking that the Cliffs Notes people must surely have started filming their booklets, but I promise it's not as tacky as it sounds. In fact, this particular tape is very well done, with excellent acting, carefully chosen scenes, cogent summaries, and simple but effective staging. It is expensive, and purists will balk at the concept, but it's a Shakespeare tape that will probably get a good bit of use--deservedly so. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Glaser)