Anonymous is an historical thriller with a controversial premise – that William Shakespeare didn’t write the plays and sonnets attributed to him - right at the heart of a gripping story set to backdrop of political intrigue and plotting at the court of Elizabeth 1.

There have been several contenders who have been touted as the true author of Shakespeare’s work – including Sir Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, William Stanley, the Earl of Derby and indeed one theory that there was one than one hand at work.

For Emmerich and his writer, American John Orloff  (Band of Brothers, A Mighty Heart) Edward De Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford (played by Rhys Ifans in the film) is a strong candidate. Ifans is joined by an all star cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave as the older Queen Elizabeth, her daughter, Joely Richardson, as the younger Queen and Rafe Spall as Shakespeare.