Hamlet

Branagh's Magnus Opus

This is, simply put, the best Hamlet on DVD. Kenneth Branagh clearly put his heart and soul in to every aspect of this production and it shows. His performance is mesmerizing, particularly the "to be or not to be" monologue delivered entirely to his own reflection. I completely disagree that Branagh's Hamlet is insane. I think he is quite the opposite: a calculating, tomented soul who acts mad to hide is deeper motives. For a nut-job Hamlet, watch Mel Gibson's horrible version. The rest of Branagh's players are top-notch, with the exception of Robin Williams....what was he thinking! Julie Christie is perfectly cool and oblivious as Gertrude and one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of our time, Derek Jacobi is brilliant as Claudis. RSC veteran Brian Blessed lends his powerful voice and presence to the Ghost--perfect casting. Kate Winslet shines as Ophelia, making her transition from beautiful ingenue to raving madwoman truly believable. The change of setting didn't bother me in the least. Honestly, when was the last time you saw a Shakespearean play or film that was set in the appropriate time period? Even Much Ado wasn't periodically correct. Nor was Love's Labour's, nor was As You Like It. The final duel bewteen Laertes and Hamlet was brilliantly choreographed, highlighting the athleticism and skill of both actors. And, no, Hamlet couldn't have cut through the thick rope with a foil...but the epees they were using could have.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Best Version of Hamlet.

Kenneth Branaugh, Kate Winslet, and Julie Christie really carry this movie. Derek Jacoby is inspired as well. Some people do not like the change of time period, but personally I think it adds to the story. Lush costumes and sets and general frivolity add to the tragedy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

great!

good for my collection!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

After reading the play...

I got tired of checking this out at the library for my son every week until his teacher was ready to discuss the play, so I bought it. He saw it over and over because he wanted to be ready to quote it on his AP literature essay. I saw it with him once and began to understand some parts especially with the subtitles. I have trouble with British accents. It's four hours, so take your time with it. I didn't care for the American actors except Billy Crystal who did a great job.

shakespeare comes to life

Helps with undrstanding the plot but highly recommend book reading for verification of facts

Amazing

I bought this to watch at the same time as studying the written play with my daughter. Kenneth Branagh's movie is the first time that the entire play has been faithfully reproduced word for word on screen. Some of the choices (Robin Williams?) are interesting to say the least and the final scene is different than how I would have staged it, but makes for great discussions.

AWESOME

AWESOME AWESOME MOVIE. LOVE IT.

Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet

I was so impressed with this "Hamlet". I saw it in my English class, and I was just blown away. Kenneth Branagh makes Hamlet appear the way he should: not mad or a villain, simply a young and tormented soul who wants to make things right but doesn't know how. This movie captured the emotions, and it was believable when the actors delivered their lines; it didn't sound like they were just reciting memorized material. If you're going to own any classic, this is one that should be in your collection.

So disappointed in Branagh!

I have to admit that I am both a huge fan of Branagh and Shakespeare's Hamlet. However, after waiting to see this for upteen years, I was terribly disappointed. Branagh missed the mark on this interpretation. He turns Hamlet into a manic lunatic. Hamlet was not crazy, just torn by what path to take. He was a Renaissance man, more prone to thought than action. The supporting cast is amazing, but Branagh just didn't get this one right. Watch him in Much Ado about Nothing. He is so much better in that one.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

"This is Not Hamlet"

This is an excellent movie, well done, but it should have been titled "This is Not Hamlet". The transition in time by hundreds of years too recent is intrusive and artificial, and spoils the spirit of Shakespeare. Cigars in medieval Denmark? A locomotive in Elsinore? The concluding sword fight is worthy of Indiana Jones, but the motivation of the combatants is confused, and it is remarkable that Hamlet is able to slice through a thick rope with the edge of a foil. An excellent movie, but I wish I could have watched "Hamlet".

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Please Please Release on DVD

Hamlet is without doubt Kenneth Brannaugh's best work in the genre and there is no excuse for this work not to be on DVD.

I love to curl up with Shakespeare!

This movie was fantastic. I absolutely adore Kenneth Branagh. He makes reading Shakespeare all the more exciting. Everyone should watch Hamlet. I enjoy watching it over and over. Bravo to ALL the actors who made this movie a success!

Coooool!!!

We watched this for school and i love it Alsoit does needto be on DVD

To be!

Clearly the best of all the Hamlet films. Branagh delievers a stage worthy performance with all the benefits of film that is true to the play. A great assitance tool for any Theatre student or English educator that wishes to see Shakespeare in motion, Branagh's Hamlet is full of all the character's emotional paradoxes and inner twistings that help to produce what is considered a staple of the modern English language. Enjoy.

Of all the movies on DVD, why not this one???

This movie is incredible. After my kids and I saw it we decided to buy a DVD player... so we could watch it again in all its glory at home. That was 5 years ago! When is the DVD going to be produced?

This movie is amazing

This movie is a must see and a valuable addition to any movie collection. The performances are dazzling, the set and shots are amazing...it will leave you breathless.

Alas, we poor players doth yearn for DVD

Is a DVD to be or not to be; that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to keep things as they are on poor VHS and endure the slings and arrows of lessor quality! Do we have to envoke a ghost to haunt Mr. Branagh to get this most noble job done? Methinks not. Still I await...

Very good version of Hamlet

Derek Jacobi is brilliant as Claudius, but Nicholas Farrell as Horatio is among the best performances I have ever seen on screen. Too bad Branagh's performance is not as good.

Awesome!

This movie is an incredible interpretations of Shakespeare, and nobody could have done it but Kenneth Branagh. Just watching his soliloquies gives me the chills it is such an incredible acting job. I love that the movie contains ALL of Shakespeare's lines and the whole movie is just a beautiful piece of work. The costuming is wonderful and the whole cast does a spectacular job.

Hamlet

This is a beautiful version of Hamlet. Clearly the best ever done. Thank you Kenny for doing every line. It's just downright sacreligious when people edit Shakespeare. This movie...it's brilliant...yet this movie delights not me...just kiddin'...it does, but read the play and see it on stage first. Hamlet is such a dynamic work that I think everyone owes it to themselves to be exposed to the raw work and just open the mind and let new things drift in. Shakespeare...he's a pretty cool guy...I mean, he is probably responsible for millions or billions of peoples' definitions of love, villainy, betrayal, heroism, and others...don't ruin one of the rare chances to create definitions in your own mind by accepting Branagh's version first. After you read the play...go see what it meant to Kenneth Branagh...and compare or something...or just bask in the brilliance. Shakespeare's writing is like Michael Jordan...it just makes everybody play on a higher level.