Titus

"The fate of an empire. The descent of man."

Feb 11 2000 R 2h 42m
Drama, History, Thriller

Titus Andronicus returns from the wars and sees his sons and daughters taken from him, one by one. Shakespeare's goriest and earliest tragedy.

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.

Written by

William Shakespeare, Julie Taymor

Directed by

Julie Taymor

Production Countries

United States of America, Italy, United Kingdom

Production Companies

Titus Productions, NDF International, Urania Pictures S.r.l., Overseas FilmGroup, Clear Blue Sky Productions

Languages

Latin, English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 4 wins & 19 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
22,200
Average Rating
7 out of 10
Metascore
57
Popularity
NA