

A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets
2005, English. Directed by John McKay.
A mystery in Shakespeare's sonnets is explored.
In 1609, William Shakespeare published a collection of 154 sonnets, creating what is arguably the greatest lyric sequence in English literature - and at the center of this masterpiece lies a mystery that has endured for centuries. What are the identities of “the young man” and “the dark lady” to whom all but two of the sonnets allude? This moving performance brings to life the gritty reality of Shakespeare’s England, bits of the Bard’s plays and poems, and the consummate poet and dramatist himself as it exposes these personages unseen but so keenly felt in Shakespeare’s sonnets and in his life. Rupert Graves, Tom Sturridge, Indira Varma, Anna Chancellor, and Zoë Wanamaker star. Contains mature themes and explicit language. Some content may be objectionable. Produced by the Open University.
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 22 November 2005.
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Cast & crew
- John McKayDirector
- Rupert GravesWilliam Shakespeare
- Tom SturridgeWilliam Herbert
- Indira VarmaLucie "The dark lady"
- Zoë WanamakerCountess of Pembroke
- Anna ChancellorAnne Hathaway
- Andrew TiernanBen Jonson
- Nicky HensonJohn Shakespeare
- Alan WilliamsGeorge Wilkin
- Nicholas RoweRichard Burbage
- Tom HiddlestonJohn Hall
- Tom MisonYoung Blood
- Christopher FairbankPhysician
Details
- Released
- 22 November 2005
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- William Boyd
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A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets: quick answers
Is A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets worth watching?
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets?
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets runs 86 minutes (1h 26m).
Does A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets yet.
Which OTT platform is A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets on?
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 22 November 2005. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets?
If you liked A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets, try Oslo, You Don't Know Jack, Munich - The Edge of War.
Who directed A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets?
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets (2005) was directed by John McKay and stars Rupert Graves, Tom Sturridge, Indira Varma.