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From Amazon.co.uk
It's the greatest work of literature, but nobody had ever filmed Hamlet uncut--until Kenneth Branagh went about the task for his lavish 1996 production. The result is a sumptuous, star-studded version that scores a palpable hit on its avowed goal: to make the text as clear and urgent as possible. Branagh himself plays the melancholy son of the Danish court, caught in a famous muddle about whether to seek revenge against his royal father's presumed slayer... the man who now sits on the throne and shares the bed of Hamlet's mother. (Or, as the song "That's Entertainment" summarizes the plot: "A ghost and a prince meet / And everyone winds up mincemeat.") As a director, Branagh (who shot the movie in 70 mm.) uses the vast, cold interiors of a vaguely 19th-century manor to gorgeous effect; the story might scurry down this hallway, into that back chamber, or sprawl out into the enormous main room. With its endless collection of mirrors, the place is as big and empty as Citizen Kane's Xanadu. That all works. What doesn't work is Branagh's tendency to over-direct the big dramatic moments. He indulges in quick cutting and flashbacks as though to fend off the audience's objections to the four-hour running time, and the style sometimes looks like wasted energy. The experienced Shakespearians in the cast come off nicely. Derek Jacobi's Claudius, Richard Briers' Polonius, and Michael Maloney's Laertes are just terrific. Julie Christie is a suitably attractive Gertrude, and Kate Winslet makes the most of Ophelia's mad scenes. Branagh's habit of folding in unexpected American performers is on the mark, too: Billy Crystal is surprisingly good as the Gravedigger, Robin Williams predictably camps up Osric, and Charlton Heston is an inspired choice as the grandiloquent Player King. The biggest irony here is that Branagh himself is not quite spot-on as Hamlet. Of course he speaks the lines beautifully, but Branagh's screen personality radiates certainty and clarity of vision. There's little of the doubt that might make him Hamlet-esque. Still, tremendous credit for fending off slings and arrows to get the movie made. --Robert Horton
Product Description
Kenneth Branagh's four-hour production of Shakespeare's full text for Hamlet is visually lush (shot in 70mm, which is rarely done) and full of fascinating story moments that normally get cut from shorter stage versions. (Your idea of what kind of fellow Polonius is may change quite a bit.) The unexpurgated approach is truly enlightening, and Branagh intermittently succeeds at giving familiar moments in the drama an original cinematic spin, including Hamlet's spooky confrontation with his father's ghost (Brian Blessed). (Branagh also imposes some Hollywood glitter on the proceedings by casting the likes of Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Charlton Heston and Jack Lemmon in the smaller parts.) The pre-Titanic Kate Winslet is very good as the doomed Ophelia, and Derek Jacobi delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance as Claudius, whose character is definitely filled out by the restored material. Branagh's own performance is a little revisionist--some viewers have quibbled with it while others seem fine. --Tom Keogh. Langages avialabel on the dvd are: English,Castillian Spanish,German,Polish & Portuguese,Subtitles: English,C/Spanish,German,Greek,Polish & Portuguese.Extra features including introductions/commentary by Kenneth Branagh & Russell Jackson,'Featurette,Film promo,Shakespeare movie trailor gallery.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By Jim Campbell
Format:DVD
Wow.
Just as Branagh trumped Olivier's version of Henry V, so he does it again, this time producing the definitive screen Hamlet.
There are flaws, admittedly, so lets get them out of the way. There is some dodgy blue-screen work, and a couple of actors are, if we're honest, out of their depth (Jack Lemmon is a fine actor, but Shakespeare does not apparently come easy to him!).
Once you get past these minor quibbles however, you are left with one of the most sumptuous films ever shot. It just looks stunning, and makes the inexcusable wait for a dvd release almost worthwhile! The acting (for the most part!) is breathtaking. The famous scene with Hamlet and Gertrude in her bedroom is one of the most moving I've ever watched, Branagh stripping bare Hamlets grief as he sees his father's ghost. "On him, on him". Watch it and weep. The score is spot-on, the sets magnificent, and the script is well, the finest piece of work in English literature.
The finest film version of the greatest playwright's finest work. An unabashed masterpiece.
Just as Branagh trumped Olivier's version of Henry V, so he does it again, this time producing the definitive screen Hamlet.
There are flaws, admittedly, so lets get them out of the way. There is some dodgy blue-screen work, and a couple of actors are, if we're honest, out of their depth (Jack Lemmon is a fine actor, but Shakespeare does not apparently come easy to him!).
Once you get past these minor quibbles however, you are left with one of the most sumptuous films ever shot. It just looks stunning, and makes the inexcusable wait for a dvd release almost worthwhile! The acting (for the most part!) is breathtaking. The famous scene with Hamlet and Gertrude in her bedroom is one of the most moving I've ever watched, Branagh stripping bare Hamlets grief as he sees his father's ghost. "On him, on him". Watch it and weep. The score is spot-on, the sets magnificent, and the script is well, the finest piece of work in English literature.
The finest film version of the greatest playwright's finest work. An unabashed masterpiece.
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By mello
Format:DVD
Any Shakespeare fan will not be disappointed! this full text 4 hour epic is exciting, funny, scary and a true work of art. Althoug 4 hours is a long running time I did not get bored once. The film is split between 2 DVDs, both containing extras. The extras are good but i'm always slightly disappointed when there are no outtakes...
I highly recommend this to even people who are not usually fans of shakespeare. The brilliant acting allows you to understand what is happening, even in a particular wordy scene. And Kenneth Branagh is fanyastic!!! watch it =)
I highly recommend this to even people who are not usually fans of shakespeare. The brilliant acting allows you to understand what is happening, even in a particular wordy scene. And Kenneth Branagh is fanyastic!!! watch it =)
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Here's a film to take your breath away. Branagh is outstanding in the lead and has gathered a star cast to make a visually stunning and beautifully realised interpretation of Shakespeare that will appeal to today's audience. How tragic that this, the full version, is no longer available and the only video now on the market is a horribly butchered travesty that contains only half the original footage.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stylish
Kenneth Branagh puts a new spin on the Classic Shakespeare play. Spot the famous faces like JacK Lemmon and Cahrlton Heston. Read more
Published 26 days ago by A. M. Kennedy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hamlet (1996)
Branagh's Hamlet is a remarkable film. Branagh has put into the film the full unedited text of Shakespeare's play, running at over four hours it is unlikely that most will want to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by crowscamp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hamlet
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. A fantastic four hour extravaganca of Shakespear, Kenneth Branagh at his best and a love fest of unexpected actors. Read more
Published 2 months ago by DCA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great modern Shakespeare
I love Kenneth Branagh so I'm definitely biased, but this is one of his best. Yes, it's long - Hamlet is a long play! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Alice Brockway
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blond and not Olivier
Branagh is excellent as Hamlet, and the visuals are just sublime. The cast all perform workman-like roles, and they are all professional performances. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John F. Fitzsimmons
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ridiculous
I viewed three Hamlet versions: BBC, Sir Laurence Olivier and now Branagh.
This version is an "hybrid": subtle and medieval Shakespeare poetry in vulgar "operette"... Read more
This version is an "hybrid": subtle and medieval Shakespeare poetry in vulgar "operette"... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alexandre DNIESTROWSKI
4.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless classic
Great for English literature and drama students and teachers. No matter how many times you watch this version, it never gets old. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Shariffa Barnett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Branagh's take on a Shakespeare Classic
Kenneth Branagh's adapatation of Shakespeares classic play Hamlet is a triumph of great filmmaking combined with some of cinemas greatest actors. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Andrew Whitby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect.
It was perfect for the job, of following the Hamlet play - since it's the only film which more-or-less follows Hamlet, word for word. (Words! Words! Words! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jack Burrows
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting version
Saw this version of Hamlet and though I was able to appreciate the fact that this was probably a more holistic version it was not as good as it could have been. Read more
Published 11 months ago by AVg
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