Warren Mitchell and Gemma Jones star in Shakespeare's comedy-drama about Portia, a wealthy young woman whose father controls who she'll marry, and Bassanio, who wishes to marry Portia, but can't afford to. Bassanio borrows money from Shylock, but if he can't repay the debt, a "pound of flesh" will be taken from Bassanio's friend, Antonio. Meanwhile, Portia's father puts potential husbands to the test, but Bassanio is the only man she wants.