The debut feature for director Kerry Conran, this sci-fi action adventure romp pays homage to comics and serials of the 1940s such as Flash Gordon and Superman. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as intrepid reporter Polly Perkins, who suspects a connection between the mysterious disappearance of many of the world's top scientists, and a recent attack on New York City by giant robots - and decides to investigate. She enlists the help of her former beau, heroic flying ace Joe 'Sky Captain' Sullivan (Jude Law). The two, helped by the dextrous Franky (Angelina Jolie) and technical whiz Dex (Giovanni Ribisi), uncover a plot by mad scientist Dr Totenkopf (Laurence Olivier in archive footage) to create a 'World of Tomorrow' - and destroy the world of today. A race against time begins as our heroes do all they can to save the planet before it is too late...

The performers interviewed represent a Who's Who of stage and screen actors (between them they have seventeen Oscar nominations), and range across all generations. They include Judi Dench talking about her acclaimed Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1960 production; Ian McKellen whose Macbeth at the RSC in the 1970s is still considered iconic; Helen Mirren who has played Cleopatra three times; Kevin Spacey bringing an American perspective to playing Richard II; and Jude Law on his Hamlet, which was a hit in the West End and on Broadway in 2009. Also interviewed are Brian Cox, Ralph Fiennes, Rebecca Hall, Derek Jacobi, Adrian Lester, Tim Pigott-Smith, Patrick Stewart and Penelope Wilton. Each actor talks through their role, scene by scene, with refreshing candour and in forensic detail. The result is a mini masterclass in playing that role, aimed at other actors, students of Shakespeare, and audiences of the plays.

Twelve leading actors, including Alan Rickman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Eileen Atkins, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, discuss playing twelve key Shakespearean roles.