The Jew of MaltaMasterfully filmed using detailed period costumes and professional performers, this pitch-black comedy from the satirical pen of Christopher Marlowe-the only film adaptation of Marlowe's brilliant drama-depicts hypocritical Christians, bloodthirsty Muslims, and one murderous Jew at his stereotypical worst. How popular and influential was The Jew of Malta in its time? Shakespeare himself drew upon the play's characters to create Shylock and Jessica for The Merchant of Venice and borrowed liberally from a balcony scene to write his own for Romeo and Juliet. (106 minutes)