A Midsummer Night's Dream, Puck's Epilogue, Compilation

At the end of A Midsumme Night's Dream,
William Shakespeare (via Puck), with a nod and a wink,
addresses the audience to tell them
that the play has been a sort of dream.
"Nothing to see here - move along. Move along."
It is one of the most famous of
Shakespear's monologues, and the ideas expressed
appear in several of Shakespeare's plays.

In this clip we see how this scene is played in
several productions—
• Mickey Rooney in the 1935 Max Reinhardt production.
• Ian Holm in a 1968 Peter Hall's Royal Shakespeare
Company production.
• Damien Nash in the 1981 production of
Benjamin Britten's opera.
• Stanley Tucci in Michael Hoffman's 1999 film version.
• Kathryn Hunter in Julie Taymor's 2014 filmed
stage production.

More information on films in John's Catelog may be found here:

ORIGINAL TEXT
 If we shadows have offended,
 Think but this, and all is mended—
 That you have but slumbered here
 While these visions did appear.
 And this weak and idle theme,
 No more yielding but a dream,
 Gentles, do not reprehend.
 If you pardon, we will mend.
 And, as I am an honest Puck,
 If we have unearnèd luck
 Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
 We will make amends ere long.
 Else the Puck a liar call.
 So good night unto you all.
 Give me your hands if we be friends,
 And Robin shall restore amends.

[DrPlausivel]

I get a pang in my heart when I see Kline wistfully puzzling over his dream, and then Tucci’s look at the camera.
Thank you, whoever had the idea.

[arleenfackina]

Why is Stanley Tucci the ONLY one not rushing through the monologue? Is he the ONLY one who knows how the character should be portrayed?

[cynthiaennis]

Stanley Tucci...most honest & convincing performance! 😉👏🏼👏🏼. Mickey Rooney...awesome child star! 😃👏🏼👏🏼. Enjoyed Katheryn Hunter as well. Kept driving that point home...Life is but a fleeting dream.
Really enjoyed seeing these different endings. Thank you so very much!

[theaternerd]

Loved Stanley Tucci! His calm and gentle tone gave me goosebumps!

[stupendoushorrendous]

Stanley Tucci's version makes me cry for some reason.

[jinty.and.pug.studios]

I watched the 1999 movie today in class and for some reason the ending kinda made me cry for some reason

[naly]

Am I the only one who thinks Bottom is the cutest and most heartwarming character in the play? (Especially as portrayed by Kevin Klein)

[newsing]

Neil Perry in "Dead Poet's Society" is by far the best performance of Puck. Ever. Hands down!

[lollobello]

There's no "right" way to play Puck. For some people he's a fool but a good guy, for others a spiteful child and for others a malicious demon (no reference to the Cartesian philosophy).
I'd say "the more the merrier", especially when some of them are so different that the character can completely surprise you.

[PrinceoftheAbyss]

Okay, who gave Bilbo Baggins cocaine? You can't give a hobbit cocaine; their little hearts can't take it.

[xyddam]

i sorta wanted to see the rendition of Puck from Dead Poets Society in here because that's a personal favourite but i loved these too

[jinburgess]

The ending when Bottom sees the fairy's is beautiful. (Michael Hoffman's 1999 film version)

[hokehinson]

No one out does the Tucci....hes got puck!

[kiraalialeeonfairythegreenone]

Mickey Rooney was the best and most memorable Puck. Cheeky, wicked, humorous, defiant...a great performance by a child actor.
The black and white, 1935 movie is by far, the best of the Midsummer Night's movies... beautifully magical... and extremely funny, as it's meant to be. Shakespeare would have enjoyed the 1935 version, I'm sure 💛

[WJC]

I thought they were all rather good, however I couldn't take much away from Ian Holme since he pretty much rushed through it. I've never seen Puck played by a woman, and I think Kathryn Hunter gave a unique interpretation to the role.

[RoyRefael]

Noone nailed it. to Shakespeare disappoinment

[DantheMan]

I love Puck because he’s played by Stanley Tucci

[NOEYEDGURL]

THE FUCKING NAKED GREEN MAN IM GONNA CRY

[virabadrasana]

My vote is for Mickey Rooney and Stanley Tucci. Some of the others are terrible, with no depth and rushing. Stanley Tucci has a beautiful, gentle touch. I loved the long pause just before the end. Brilliant Mickey Rooney brings surprise, energy and a wicked edge.

[tylerharris]

When you think about it, this soliloquy is the ultimate response to anyone who gets unreasonably offended by a fictional story.