While Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" is classified as a comedy it certainly plays as a heavy handed drama depending on your point of view as Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes and Lynn Collins give their all in Michael Radford's adaptation of the classic material.

To initially get involved with The Merchant of Venice means to understand that you are going to be walking on very thin ice when it comes to the anti-Semitic nature of the storyline as Al Pacino portrays Shylock the moneylender, a wealthy Jewish man who has suffered the pains of being considered a dog by society simply for being a Jew.

It is when Antonio (Jeremy Irons) and Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) come to his door in search of money that Shylock sees a chance to exact some sort of revenge. Bassanio is in search of love, and his eyes have fallen on Portia (Lynn Collins), a beautiful woman who is open to all suitors, but due to her father's will, all suitors must choose from among three coffers, and the one who chooses right will win her hand in marriage. Bassanio's heart is set on this goal, but first he must attain 3,000 ducats so he can properly woo his fair maiden, and the wealthy Shylock can afford to do the loaning.

The loan is given, but with conditions. It is Antonio, an investor in some merchant ships presently at sea, that stakes claim on the loan, to which Shylock has placed specific terms if he defaults on the loan. If Antonio does not pay back the loan in three months a pound of Antonio's flesh is due Shylock and you better believe he wants what is coming to him. Ultimately this turns into one of the greatest courtroom scenes you will see depicted in any film.

This adaptation of The Merchant of Venice is brilliant and deserved far more kudos when it was shown in theaters; I have watched it twice since receiving my review copy. Al Pacino is amazing as Shylock, he gives a performance that stands out from all of his peers as he tackles a character that is not only timeless but a stretch considering the roles Pacino is known for. Cast opposite almost exclusively British actors Pacino leads the way with such power and overall screen domination it is a wonder more hasn't been said about this film.

One of the things that truly hits you is when you see such an amazing actor as Jeremy Irons put into such a helpless situation as Shylock aims to claim his bond. I primarily associate Irons with roles of power and prestige and to see him cowering before a man he spat on only 60 minutes prior and making it believable is an absolute work of art.

As for this DVD it offers up all it needs to with a fantastic making-of documentary that is neither too short nor too long along with a commentary track with writer/director Michael Radford and the lovely Lynn Collins whose performance as Portia is equally as brilliant as her role may be the most demanding in the film as it is the glue that pieces the entire story together.

I promise you this is a movie I will watch over and over again as I never get tired of the Shakespearean language and the performances are some of the greatest I can remember in a long time.