As You Like It (1936) Laurence Olivier’s Shakespeare Debut Restored Classic

Step into the enchanted Forest of Arden with this beautifully restored 1936 adaptation of As You Like It, directed by Paul Czinner and starring a young Laurence Olivier in his first-ever Shakespearean film role. Based on William Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, this British classic blends wit, disguise, and love in a tale that has charmed audiences for generations.
🌿 Plot Summary
A Duke is usurped by his brother and banished to the Forest of Arden. His daughter Rosalind, played by Elisabeth Bergner, follows in disguise—sparking a cascade of romantic entanglements, mistaken identities, and poetic revelations. Olivier shines as Orlando, the noble young man whose heart is captured by Rosalind’s wit and spirit.
🎭 Cast Highlights
• Laurence Olivier as Orlando
• Elisabeth Bergner as Rosalind
• Felix Aylmer, Henry Ainley, Sophie Stewart, and more
🎼 Music by William Walton
🎥 Cinematography by Harold Rosson
✂️ Edited by David Lean
📅 Release Date: September 3, 1936
📽️ Runtime: 96 minutes
🎞️ Language: English
🏛️ Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
✨ This film marks a pivotal moment in cinematic history—where Shakespeare met the silver screen and Olivier began his legendary journey.
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