There are several adaptations of Shakespeare's works and only one other comes to mind that relates to his life during his time in the theatre in London. Shakespeare in Love came out a few years before Anonymous and relates to a female entering a Shakespearean play and falling in love with Shakespeare himself simultaneously. Not a great movie in my opinion.

We all know Shakespeare or have heard of some his work. Some of the most popular being Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. But who really wrote these great feats for the stage and other sonnets. What do we really know about the man called William Shakespeare?

History shows that Shakespeare was the son of a glove maker. It also shows that he went to London and became an actor. But not much is really known about his time in London. Was he only an actor? We know he finished his last years in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. But if he didn’t write those great comedies and tragedies for the stage, then who did?

Anonymous was released in 2011 and explores the rumors behind the true identity of the playwright behind Shakespeare’s works. One theory out there is that the real playwright was actually Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford.

So how did Shakespeare’s name appear on these plays? Well, how many noblemen at that time were famous as playwrights and writers? None. This would have greatly discredited them in noble circles. The nobles were meant to enjoy the arts and theatre, not actually partake in it.

The options were to release the works anonymously or find a striving artist to take the credit for the work. So, Edward needed someone to take credit for his work. Though William Shakespeare was not his first choice.

Set against the Essex revolt against Elizabeth I and her succession, Anonymous is a tale of love, some incest as we are looking at the end of the Tudor line and betrayal. All the workings of a true story of the Victorian Era.

A great a film to make one think and research more about that time period and the origins of Shakespeare’s work.

I don't think that anyone except Shakespeare wrote those great comedies, tragedies, and sonnets, but it does make one think. After all, copyright laws were not what they are today.

It would have been easy for someone else to claim credit for the work of another writer. It would be hard today to reteach several people that someone else truly wrote Hamlet, Othello or Macbeth.

If you're like me who enjoys historic dramas, especially those related to English and literature, you'll enjoy Anonymous.