Bill. Bill Shakespeare (Mathew Baynton). Copyright: BBC Films / Cowboy Films
Bill

Bill

  • 2015 film

Comedy film charting the young life of William Shakespeare and his finding fame in London, starring the cast of Horrible Histories. Stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 3,558

Press clippings

Failing to make it as a lute player in a band called Mortal Coil, young Bill Shakespeare (a chirpy Mathew Baynton) heads for London to write plays, befriend Queen Elizabeth (Helen McCrory) and foil a Spanish plot to invade England. At least that's how the gang behind CBBC's Horrible Histories tells it. There's no tragedy here; as bard biography, it's more fun than Shakespeare in Love, with a constant stream of slapstick gags and sometimes fruity jokes that wouldn't be out of place in a panto.

Paul Howlett, The Guardian, 23rd December 2017

Bill' set for U.S. event cinema release via Fathom

BBC Worldwide North America and Fathom Events are partnering to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death with the U.S. theatrical release of origins comedy, Bill.

Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 25th February 2016

DVD review: Bill

An irreverent Shakespearean romp, not just for kids.

Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk, 5th February 2016

Mathew Baynton interview

Mathew Baynton on making Bill, the cheeky charm of Horrible Histories - and the disconcerting effects of his own success.

Adrian Lobb, The Big Issue, 5th November 2015

Monty Python And The Holy Grail vs Bill

The director of Bill, Richard Bracewell, exclusively writes for us on the influence of Monty Python And The Holy Grail.

Richard Bracewell, Den Of Geek, 15th October 2015

'Bill' movie review

If you haven't seen Bill yet, go see it. If you have seen Bill, go see it again. You know you want to.

Sami Kelsh, Cult Box, 24th September 2015

Interview: cast of Bill

Featuring the BAFTA Award-winning lead cast of CBBC's Horrible Histories and Sky1's Yonderland, new movie Bill tells the story of what really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'.

Sami Kelsh, Cult Box, 24th September 2015

Bill, film review

Elizabethan-era comedy yields as many laughs as it does groans.

Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 18th September 2015

Review: Bill (PG) ****

All the world's a stage and all the men and women are delightfully demented players.

Portsmouth News, 18th September 2015

Review: Bill

It's all utterly daft and cheerful, with lots of silly jokes -- 'People will remember the name Shakespeare 20 years from now,' declares Bill, feistily -- that might well fly over the head of its target audience, but will be lapped up by their parents alongside. Good, innocent fun.

Brian Viner, Daily Mail, 18th September 2015

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