- Actors: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Derek Jacobi, Wayne Knight
- Directors: Kenneth Branagh
- Writers: Scott Frank
- Producers: Charles H. Maguire, Dennis Feldman, Lindsay Doran, Sydney Pollack
- Language English
- Classification: 18
- Studio: Paramount
- VHS Release Date: 12 Oct 1998
- Run Time: 107 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CMCE
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,737 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although he received tremendous praise for his memorable film production of Shakespeare's HENRY V, DEAD AGAIN was the film that really introduced actor/director Kenneth Branagh to mainstream American film, and for a time he and then-wife Emma Thompson were the most celebrated acting couple since Olivier and Leigh. The marriage did not last, but fortunately this film did--and I say fortunately, for although it is somewhat forgotten today, DEAD AGAIN is an overlooked jewel of a film: classy, noir-ish, stylish, and very memorable indeed.
The story is fanciful. In the late 1940s noted composer Roman Strauss was convicted of mudering his noted pianist wife Margaret, and was sentenced to death. Some forty years later, a young woman suffering from amnesia falls into the hands of a no-nonsense Los Angeles private eye--and under hypnosis she recalls not her immediate past, but the lives of Roman and Margaret. Is this reincarnation? Is she Margaret Strauss? Is the private eye to whom she is attracted but of whom she is also strangely fearful the reincarnation of Roman Strauss, Margaret's killer? Is history repeating itself?
The story is fanciful. In the late 1940s noted composer Roman Strauss was convicted of mudering his noted pianist wife Margaret, and was sentenced to death. Some forty years later, a young woman suffering from amnesia falls into the hands of a no-nonsense Los Angeles private eye--and under hypnosis she recalls not her immediate past, but the lives of Roman and Margaret. Is this reincarnation? Is she Margaret Strauss? Is the private eye to whom she is attracted but of whom she is also strangely fearful the reincarnation of Roman Strauss, Margaret's killer? Is history repeating itself?
Scott Frank's clever script makes for a fast-paced, twisting, and fascinating plot-driven film--and it is flawlessly played by Branagh and Thompson, who assume dual roles as the 1940s Roman and Margaret Strauss and the 1980s Mike Church and Grace. The supporting cast is also excellent, with memorable performances by Andy Garcia and Derek Jacobi--and a truly exceptional cameo by Robin Williams, who here for the first time demonstrated that his talents went far beyond comedy. The shifts between past and present, nightmare and reality are exceedingly well done, and although the plot becomes more and more fantastic the entire film is so perfectly executed that one buys into it every step of the way.
If DEAD AGAIN has a flaw, it is that some of the twists and turns are predictable--but in the film's favor I must admit that it sweeps you along so quickly that you seldom have time to analyse that failing while you actually watch the film. It is also to a certain extent a "one trick pony" film; the film is at its most powerful upon a first viewing, when one is oblivious to what is coming. But even so, it is tremendously effective and it holds up as well today as when it first appeared on the big screen. The DVD includes little in the way of extras beyond commentary tracks by producer Lindsay Doran, writer Scott Frank, and director-star Kenneth Branagh--and these are as hit-and-miss as commentary tracks usually are, but they hit more often than miss. The picture and sound quality is overall very good. Recommended!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
When I first saw this movie - I was just captivated - the flashback sequences are beautifully filmed and the storyline is really solid. The idea of being reincarnated in order to sort out what happened in a past life works really well and Branagh, Jacobi and Thompson are brilliant. And just when you think you understand who did what and how...there is a twist that you just don't see coming - a great film with a nailbiting climax!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I don't understand the bad review of this. It's as if the reviewer mistakenly thought that you're supposed to take this film seriously.
I'm a huge fan of ghost stories and all things horror - the hammier, the better. This film is perfect - a good rattling yarn, an overblown script and melodramatic performances.
I've seen it a few times, and always find it engrossing and fun. I've always assumed that hyperbole was intentional. I may not be Branagh's greatest fan, but it's obviously an homage to overdone scream-flicks.
I'm a huge fan of ghost stories and all things horror - the hammier, the better. This film is perfect - a good rattling yarn, an overblown script and melodramatic performances.
I've seen it a few times, and always find it engrossing and fun. I've always assumed that hyperbole was intentional. I may not be Branagh's greatest fan, but it's obviously an homage to overdone scream-flicks.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the BEST movies I have ever watched
This movie is a work of art KB at his best! It is, without a doubt, one that captures your attention from the first second to the last - no getting up for popcorn in this one!
Published 8 months ago by sandee37064
Good acting, original story and quite gripping...
Not a bad movie for the price. Loved the storyline as it is quite original.. its basically a who-done-it movie which covers the subject of past-lives. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. S. J. Carter
These are for you
This movie is a cut above the standard reincarnation story.
A mysterious woman (Emma Thompson) shows up with amnesia. Read more
A mysterious woman (Emma Thompson) shows up with amnesia. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by bernie
A first-rate murder mystery with Branagh and Thompson
This is one of the best murder mysteries to come out of the Nineties, and probably for some time before or since. It's Hitchcockian without being an homage. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2007 by C. O. DeRiemer
Hokey
Considering the high caliber of the British cast (Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi), DEAD AGAIN is notable for being so corny. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2004 by Joseph Haschka
dead again
This is a film of muddled genre. Tries to be Hitchcock, but does not really succeed.
It is though very watchable, with a fine cast, all hamming it to the hilt. Read more
It is though very watchable, with a fine cast, all hamming it to the hilt. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2002 by page gobbler
Terrible misfiring noir comedy
I remember going to see this at the cinema and laughing alone at the more absurd bits, until about half way through when the rest of the audience realised how utterly preposterous... Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2002 by Neil Lewis
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