The Hobart Shakespeareans is a documentary directed and produced by Mel Stuart, which stars Michael York and Ian McKellen. Released in 2007, it is about a school teacher based in Los Angeles, called Rafe Esquith, who teaches fifth grade. His curriculum has subjects like literature, geography, mathematics and English.

Every year, the pinnacle of achievement of students is the performance of a Shakespearean play – Hamlet was the play the year the documentary was filmed.
The Hobart Shakespeareans are known as one of the great Shakespeare troupes in the city of Los Angeles, and every year, Rafe and his students work very hard to produce an excellent play. They have also produced The Merchant of Venice, as well as As You Like It.
Rafe Esquith is basically an educator who works very hard to teach his children – mostly of Latino and Asian American descent. He brings home the works of the Bard to them, and this is how this amazing documentary captures a ray of hope in the midst of a school situated in a violent neighborhood. Esquith is a teacher who teaches tirelessly, with great passion, he gives without being sure that he will ever get back. He is an educator who inspires with his teaching, he is innovative and not arrogant – that is precisely why you should watch this documentary, to see how this teacher succeeds where other elitist, know-it-all teachers fail. The Hobart Shakespeareans is a critique on today’s education system, there is a strong message in there if you can find it. Plus, Michael York and Ian McKellen are also there!