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El mercader de Venecia
A rich merchant, Antonio is depressed for no good reason, until his good friend Bassanio comes to tell him how he's in love with Portia. Portia's father has died and left a very strange will: only the man that picks the correct casket out of three (silver, gold, and lead) can marry her. Bassanio, unfortunately, is strapped for cash with which to go wooing, and Antonio wants to help, so Antonio borrows the money from Shylock, the money-lender. But Shylock has been nursing a grudge against Antonio's insults, and makes unusual terms to the loan. And when Antonio's business fails, those terms threaten his life, and it's up to Bassanio and Portia to save him. The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare between 1596 and 1598, which was not published until 1600.
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Plot Summary
This Argentinian adaptation of Shakespeare's play is set in 17th-century Venice. It tells the story of the wealthy merchant Antonio who defaults on a loan from the Jewish moneylender Shylock. To fulfill the loan's terms, Antonio must forfeit a pound of his own flesh, leading to a dramatic courtroom confrontation.
Critical Reception
As a television adaptation of a classic play, its reception was primarily within the Argentinian context of its broadcast. It was noted for bringing a significant literary work to a wider audience through the medium of television, with performances appreciated for their dramatic weight.
What Reviewers Say
A faithful, if somewhat dated, television rendition of Shakespeare's tale.
Showcases strong performances from its lead actors in a dramatic retelling.
Important for its cultural impact in bringing classic literature to Argentinian television.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific 1967 Argentinian television adaptation is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This production was part of a series of classic literary adaptations broadcast on Argentinian television during the 1960s, aiming to educate and entertain.
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