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Bill

  • 2015
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Simon Farnaby, Jim Howick, Martha Howe-Douglas, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, and Laurence Rickard in Bill (2015)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
31 Photos
ParodyComedyFamilyHistory

What really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'? Hopeless lute-player Bill Shakespeare leaves his home to follow his dream.What really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'? Hopeless lute-player Bill Shakespeare leaves his home to follow his dream.What really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'? Hopeless lute-player Bill Shakespeare leaves his home to follow his dream.

  • Director
    • Richard Bracewell
  • Writers
    • Laurence Rickard
    • Ben Willbond
  • Stars
    • Mathew Baynton
    • Simon Farnaby
    • Martha Howe-Douglas
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    3.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Bracewell
    • Writers
      • Laurence Rickard
      • Ben Willbond
    • Stars
      • Mathew Baynton
      • Simon Farnaby
      • Martha Howe-Douglas
    • 34User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Bill
    Trailer 2:24
    Bill

    Photos31

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    Top cast78

    Edit
    Mathew Baynton
    Mathew Baynton
    • William 'Bill' Shakespeare…
    Simon Farnaby
    Simon Farnaby
    • Earl of Croydon…
    Martha Howe-Douglas
    Martha Howe-Douglas
    • Anne Hathaway…
    Jim Howick
    Jim Howick
    • Christopher Marlowe…
    Laurence Rickard
    Laurence Rickard
    • Sir Francis Walsingham…
    Ben Willbond
    Ben Willbond
    • King Phillip II of Spain…
    David Crow
    • Ramon: Cockney Player…
    Jamie Demetriou
    Jamie Demetriou
    • Sergio: Cockney Player
    Richard Atwill
    • Seve: Cockney Player
    John Henry Falle
    • Miguel: Cockney Player
    Andrew Young
    • Spanish Guard 1
    Elliot Young
    • Spanish Guard 2
    Damian Lewis
    Damian Lewis
    • Sir Richard Hawkins
    Michael Collin
    • Despatch Rider
    Susy Kane
    Susy Kane
    • Lady-in-waiting
    Clare Thomson
    • Lady-in-waiting
    Susie Donkin
    • Lady-in-waiting
    Helen McCrory
    Helen McCrory
    • Queen Elizabeth I
    • Director
      • Richard Bracewell
    • Writers
      • Laurence Rickard
      • Ben Willbond
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The ghost sequence was not achieved using digital or optical effects. It was captured 'in camera', using a Victorian stage technique called 'Pepper's Ghost': Jim Howick's performance was reflected onto a sheet of angled glass, positioned in front of the camera, while Mat Baynton performed behind the glass.
    • Goofs
      Sir Francis Walsingham died in 1590, three years before the events of the film (This is presumably why various characters react to his appearance by saying they thought he was dead).
    • Quotes

      Christopher Marlowe: Saying things in a short snappy way instead of a long drawn-out way is the soul of wit

      Bill Shakespeare: You mean brevity?

      Christopher Marlowe: Yeah

    • Connections
      Featured in Projector: Miss You Already/Bill (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Mortal Coil/Court Scene
      Written by Bernard Hughes
      Lute by Chorodophony
      Percussion by Robert Millet
      Recorder, Rauschpfeife & Natural Trumpet by Adrian Woodward
      Double Bass by Lucy Shaw

    User reviews34

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10

    Horrible histories hits the big screen and it's funny

    Anyone familiar with BBC'S children's TV show Horrible Histories will be familiar with the format and they take it a stage further by giving it the the big screen treatment in Bill. The plot is set in Elizabethan times with Philip of Spain set to invade whilst a young Bill Shakespeare leaves Stratford to head to London to make his name and fortune. Really you don't need to know to much more, th gags come quick, and there are plenty of laughs for all. The added bonus of a couple of high profile performers in husband and wife Damian Lewis and Helen Mcrorry only add to this fun for all the family film. 8/10
    • peterrichboy
    • Feb 5, 2019
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Bill?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 18, 2015 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Билл
    • Filming locations
      • York Minster, Deangate, York, North Yorkshire, England, UK(Westminster Abbey)
    • Production companies
      • BBC Film
      • Cowboy Films
      • Punk Cinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $896,929
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Simon Farnaby, Jim Howick, Martha Howe-Douglas, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, and Laurence Rickard in Bill (2015)
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