Twelfth Night 1996 film

• Twelfth Night* is a 1996 romantic comedy film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play, directed by Trevor Nunn and featuring an all-star cast. Set in the late 19th century, the film was shot on location in Cornwall, including Padstow and Lanhydrock House near Bodmin. The story follows twins Viola (Imogen Stubbs) and Sebastian (Steven Mackintosh), who are separated after a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a boy named "Cesario" to serve Duke Orsino (Toby Stephens), who is infatuated with Countess Olivia (Helena Bonham Carter). Olivia, mourning her brother's death, rejects Orsino and falls in love with "Cesario," unaware of Viola's true identity. Meanwhile, Olivia's household conspires against her steward Malvolio (Nigel Hawthorne), tricking him into believing she loves him. Viola, torn between her duty to Orsino and her own love for him, becomes entangled in a web of mistaken identities and misunderstandings. Sebastian, who also survives the wreck, arrives in Illyria with Antonio (Nicholas Farrell). Mistaken for "Cesario," Sebastian marries Olivia, causing confusion. The film resolves when Viola reveals her true identity, leading to Orsino marrying Viola. The story concludes with a celebration of the marriages, while humiliated characters like Malvolio and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Richard E. Grant) exit with dignity. The film adds elements not in the play, such as a conflict between Messaline and Illyria, and includes Feste (Ben Kingsley) narrating the shipwreck and separation of the twins. Despite mixed reviews, the cast received praise, with Helena Bonham Carter highlighted for her performance. The film holds a 76% approval ...