(Cert PG, 131 mins): Starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Kris Marshall and Mackenzie Crook. Directed by Michael Radford.

Shakespearean accolytes have always exclaimed that the Bard is a writer that transcends generations and cultures, saying his plays are as applicable today as they ever were.

Justification for countless amdram productions and the odd vanity project by a Hollywood star, perhaps, but when you consider The Merchant Of Venice's subtext of racial prejudice and greed and its modern-day parallels to morality and cruelty, it's still a salient subject.

Shakespeare's tale is brought vividly to life by writer-director Michael Radford (Il Postino) in this handsome adaptation, set in the labyrinthine alleys of late 16th-Century Venice.

Bassanio (Fiennes) asks his merchant friend Antonio (Irons) for a loan of 3,000 ducats so he may travel to Belmont and woo his sweetheart, the lovely heiress Portia (Collins).

Unfortunately, all of Antonio's ships are all sea so he is forced to borrow the funds from one of Venice's moneylenders, Shylock (Pacino), who secretly hates Antonio. The wily Jew tricks Antonio into promising a pound of his own flesh if he cannot pay the money back in time.

Blessed with an all-star cast, this is an elegant translation that remains faithful to the source text.

Radford plays up Antonio's love for Bassanio, subtly accentuating the homo-erotic subtext in their whispered discussions.

Pacino's power-packed performance (thankfully devoid of the shouting method which he has employed in many of his recent movies) drives the film, eliciting sympathy for Shylock, despite his calculating, despicable actions.

Collins is luminous in the pivotal role of Portia, exuding a confidence and wiles well beyond her years and there is strong support from Irons and Fiennes.

Some of the cast are clearly uncomfortable with the Bard's verse: Kris Marshall reduces lovesick Gratiano to a caricature and Fiennes puts in a performance worthy of an A-Level drama student.

The explosive finale in the Venice court of justice crackles with tension, pitting scheming Shylock and clever Portia against one another in a life-of-death game of rhetoric.

There may be moments of pure panto but this is a reverential treatment and the utter conviction from all involved makes for some stunning viewing at times.

Although not part of the Brighton Film Festival Cinecity, it was made by local production company Spice Factory.