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| As You Like It (100%) |
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| Hamlet (86%) |
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Plot:
Hamlet, son of the king of Denmark, is summoned home for his father's funeral and his mother's wedding to his uncle. In a supernatural episode, he discovers that his uncle, whom he hates anyway, murde...( read more 
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:October 5, 2008A must for every Humanities students! The four hours are well worth it, for ths is the BEST version ever made! You are going to want to watch it over and over...
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MCT:August 21, 2008Branagh does such a good job whenever he directs Shakespeare movies. The only problem is this is 4 hours long. So rest up beforehand...
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MCT:August 20, 2008
I'm a huge Shakespearean fan, so this movie was like a sweet chocolate bar. Despite the heavy words used, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, especially with the huge names involved. A definite must-see for every Shakespearean thespian.
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MCT:August 14, 2008
It's so perfect, I don't care that it's almost 4 hours long...as a self-proclaimed Hamlet-nerd, it's my favorite version ever.
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MCT:May 24, 2008
Was perfect acting-wise but was TOO damn long. Other than the dragging on forever it was a good adaptation. I mean, I've read the play several times and was Horatio in a production myself... they could have done away with some things but I guess this is a true completist's version.
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MCT:May 17, 2008
Incredible. The score is amazing and the direction is wonderful. The acting is also amazing beyond words - particually Branagh who just couldn't be any more fantastic. Such an amazing cast! I love this movie.
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MCT:April 13, 2008
Top Shakespeare Adaptation
Definitely my favorite version of Hamlet on the silver screen (and I have seen at least 3!). Branagh is absolutely superb in his extremely difficult role. Jacobi and Winslet also make a lasting impression. The production and direction of the play was very well done and maintained some sense as to what the original play would have felt like on stage. -
MCT:April 5, 2008
Terrific costumes and sets. Acting is superb all around with some interesting cast choices(Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon, and Robin Williams all have bit parts). The first time Hamlet has been brought to the silver screen in its entirety.
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MCT:March 16, 2008
such a fantastic movie a must for all shakespeare fans branagh stays true to the text and this is the best version of hamlet ive seen and ive seen them all stelar cast and great direction makes this all the more enjoyable
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MCT:February 25, 2008
If you want a great film edition of Shakespeare's HAMLET, this is the one to see. It follows the play's script exactly while adding in new interpretations as well.
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MCT:February 20, 2008
A fantastic version of Hamlet. Kenneth Branagh gets Shakespeare like Emma Thompson get Jane Austen. This movie really brings the play to life.
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MCT:December 24, 2007
Part of the genius of Branagh's interpretation of Hamlet is in the use of the techniques of the cinema to enhance the production. Branagh has not condensed the acts like some mass market soup, as was done in Olivier's 1948 Oscar-winning production, or in, say, Zeffirelli's 1989 Hamlet lite starring Mel Gibson (both excellent, though, within their scope), but has kept every word while directing our understanding so that even those only casually familiar with the play might follow the intent and purpose with discernment. Recall that for Shakespeare--the ultimate actor's playwright who wrote with precious few stage directions--interpretation was left to the direction and the actors, an open invitation that Branagh rightly accepts.
The use of flashback scenes of things implied, such as the amorous union of Ophelia and her Lord Hamlet abed, or of a vast expanse of snow darkened with distant soldiers to represent the threat of Fortinbras' army from without, and especially the vivid remembrance in the mind's eye of the new king's dastardly deed of murder most foul, helps us all to more keenly appreciate just what it is that torments Hamlet's soul. I also liked the intense closeups. How they would have bemused and delighted an Elizabethan audience.
Branagh's ambitious Hamlet is also one of the most accessible and entertaining, yet without the faintest hint of any dumbing down or abbreviation. A play is to divert, to entertain, to allow us to identify with others who trials and tribulations are so like our own. And so first the playwright seeks to engage his audience, and only then, by happenstance and indirection, to inspire and to inform. Shakespeare did this unconsciously, we might say. He wrote for the popular audience of his time, a broad audience, it should be noted, that included kings and queens as well as knaves and beggars, and he reached them, one and all. We are much removed from those times, and yet, this play, this singular achievement in theatre, still has the power to transcend mere entertainment, to fuse poetry and story, as well as the high and the low, and speak once again to a new audience twenty generations removed.
Branagh himself is a wonderful Hamlet, perhaps a bit of a ham at times (as I think was Shakespeare's intent), a prince who is the friend of itinerant players. He also lacks somewhat in statute (as we conceive our great heroes); nonetheless his interpretation of the great prince's torment and his singular obsession to avenge his father's murder speaks strongly to us all. Branagh, more than any other Hamlet, makes us understand the distracted, anguished and tortured prince, and guides us to not only an appreciation of his actions, wild and crazy as they sometimes are, but to an identification and an understanding of why (the eternal query) Hamlet is so long in assuming the name of action. In Branagh's production, this old quibble with Hamlet's character dissolves itself into a dew, and we realize that he was acting strongly, purposely all the while. He had to know the truth without doubt so that he might act in concert with it.
I was also very much impressed with Derek Jacobi's Claudius. One recalls that Jacobi played Hamlet in the only other full cinematic production of the play that I know of, produced in 1980 by the BBC with Claire Bloom as Gertrude; and he was an excellent Hamlet, although perhaps like Branagh something less than a massive presence. His Claudius combines second son ambition with a Machiavellian heart, whose words go up but whose thoughts remind below, as is the way of villains everywhere.
Kate Winslet is a remarkable Ophelia, lending an unusual strength to the role (strength of character is part of what Kate Winslet brings to any role), but with the poor, sweet girl's vulnerability intact. She does the mad scene with Claudius as well as I have seen it done, and of course her personal charisma and beauty embellishes the production.
Richard Briers as Polonius, proves that that officious fool is indeed that, and yet something more so that we can see why he was a counselor to the king. The famous speech he gives to Laertes as his son departs for France, is really ancient wisdom even though it comes from a fool.
Julie Christie was a delight as the besmirched and wretched queen. In the bedroom scene with Hamlet she becomes transparent to not only her son, but to us all, and we feel that the camera is reaching into her soul. She is outstanding.
The bit players had their time upon the stage and did middling well to very good. I liked Charlton Heston's player king (although I think he and John Gielgud might have switched roles to good effect) and Billy Crystal's gravedigger was finely etched. Only Jack Lemon's Marcellus really disappointed, but I think that was mainly because he was so poorly cast in such a role. Not once was he able to flash the Jack Lemon grin that we have come to know so well.
The idea of doing a Shakespearean play with nineteenth century dress in the late twentieth century worked wonderfully well, but I know not why. Perhaps the place and dress are just enough removed from our lives that they are somewhat strange but recognizable in a pleasing way. And perhaps it is just another tribute to the timeless nature of Shakespeare's play. The mirrors in the great hall added to the effect of a vast and indifferent castle environment, and in the scene with Ophelia and Laertes returned tended to magnify the focus.
There is so much more to say about this wonderful cinematic production. It is, all things considered, one of the best Hamlets ever done. Perhaps it is the best. See it, by all means, see it for yourself. -
MCT:December 21, 2007
Amazing film, with great actors throughout the film. How the hell did Branagh get Charlton Heston, Robin Williams and Gérard Depardieu to do bit parts? If you like Shakespeare you're love this version of Hamlet, Derek Jacobi and Branagh are great Shakespearian actors.
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MCT:December 21, 2007
The best Hamlet adaptation in my opinion... Kenneth Branagh is excellent in the role and captures our attention non-stop! He totally outdid himself; you can sense the jubilation he sometimes feels, read the fury in his eyes and then follow him in his descent towards madness and insanity.
AMAZING!
Note: My only criticism is how long this movie is. I suggest you divide it up in two, that way you won't get annoyed and find this boring ;D -
MCT:December 4, 2007Branagh's directorial delusions actually pay off a couple of times, perhaps due to the sheer scale of the project. His performance is good and the production design is awe-inspiring.
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MCT:November 1, 2007
Visually, an absolutely stunning film. The wedding scene is breathtaking. You have to admire Branagh for taking on the huge challenge of filming the entire play. What always fascinates me about Shakespeare is that you can take the story and transplant it into any time period and it still works. This is no exception. As for the performances, it's true that some are a bit uneven. Jack Lemmon tries his darndest, but he's just not cut out for Shakespeare. The big surprise for me was Charlton Heston, who did a great job. Kate Winslet also stood out (though I'm probably biased because I have a huge crush on her). As to Branagh's portrayal of Hamlet, it was passable but I'll admit I was a bit disappointed. His Hamlet comes off at times as effete and even passive-aggressive, some of the lines uttered in a high tone that almost comes off as a parody of Shakespearean line readings. One of the special features included trailers for other movies, including that of Mel Gibson's version of Hamlet; while this version of "Hamlet" is superior, Branagh's performance had me appreciating Gibson's more visceral, physical portrayal of the Danish prince.
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MCT:October 27, 2007
LOVED IT!
Kenneth Branagh is a genius.
I say it everytime, but i can't help it! It is so very faithful, and i get shivers everytime i watch it! -
MCT:October 22, 2007
No one does Shakespeare better than Kenneth Branagh. This is THE best version of Hamlet ever filmed!
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MCT:October 19, 2007
always a favorite. branagh is restrained enough (see his Frankenstein for him at his worst) and the sets, costumes and cast are superb. one of my faves?
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MCT:October 9, 2007
A cinematic masterpiece!!! Kenneth Branagh really pulled out all the stops in this one. It's a feast for all senses. An incredible cast, great score and for the first time the whole play filmed with a little indulgence from Branagh.
A fantastic film! -
MCT:October 7, 2007
So far my favourite film version of Hamlet, Kenneth is fantastic as both the star and director of the movie. Great casting! Also loved Derek in it, funny to see him as Claudius after seeing him as Hamlet. Billy Crystal was hilarious. x]
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MCT:September 18, 2007
If you can't see it live this is the one to watch. Kenneth Branagh, in my humble opinion, has become the best Shakesperian actor to walk the boards.
Comments
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kafkavisposted 372 days ago -
I have seen quite a few performances of Hamlet and both Zeffirelli's and Olivier’s adaptations and while both are brilliant within their own right Branagh’s Hamlet is strong, resourceful, thoughtful and yet rightly restrained. Its the first unabridged screen version of the play, running for over four hours but it is a four hours very well spent.
Branagh purposely rejects the psychological stereotypes of Hamlet that other actors find so hard to resist and makes the character his own, while of course keeping to the original text.
For unknown reasons I found the 19th century setting wonderful, maybe it far enough removed without being to detached.
Branagh himself is a perfect Branagh, more than any other Hamlet, makes us understand the conflicted, warm yet anguished prince he makes us appreciate Hamlet’s actions and shows us the real method in his apparent madness.
Never enough can be said about this amazing production and is IMHO the best Hamlet done, see it for yourself.posted 854 days ago
