- Actors: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Billy Crystal, Gerard Depardieu, Charlton Heston
- Directors: Kenneth Branagh
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Run Time: 256 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000LLRMAE
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 20,377 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
At least the 22nd time William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy has been brought to the screen, Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Hamlet was the first to preserve Shakespeare's entire text, uncut and unabridged. Moving the action into the 19th century, Branagh cast himself in the title role and, as in his adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, assembled an eclectic group of actors that mixed veteran Shakespearean performers (including John Mills, Judi Dench, John Gielgud, and Derek Jacobi) with Hollywood stars not known for interpreting the Bard's work (among them Robin Williams, Charlton Heston, Billy Crystal, and Jack Lemmon). Also includes 'To Be On Camera' - The documentary on the making of Hamlet.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
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.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
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 =)
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Four hours of rhyming couplets is not everyone's idea of a fun Friday night in, but in truth you could watch this with the sound turned fully off and still be moved by its beauty and emotional punch.
Yes, it's a masterpiece - both Shakespeare's and Branagh's. Yes, it has an astonishing cast. Yes, the set design and cinematography are stunning and hauntingly memorable, but at the end of the day it's simply a great film of a great story told very well and acted in the most accessible and wonderful way.
Yes, it's a masterpiece - both Shakespeare's and Branagh's. Yes, it has an astonishing cast. Yes, the set design and cinematography are stunning and hauntingly memorable, but at the end of the day it's simply a great film of a great story told very well and acted in the most accessible and wonderful way.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
My favourite version!
I've seen many different versions of this and this is by far my favourite.
Initially I'd bought it for my son during his A-Level studies, I ended up watching it myself and was... Read more
Initially I'd bought it for my son during his A-Level studies, I ended up watching it myself and was... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Theresa
Hamlet (2 Disc Special Edition)
brilliant effort by braneagh perfect sound and pictures. we were a bit anxious that it could be played on our old dvd player but there was no trouble.
Published 1 month ago by basil yule
Incomprehensible
Unfortunately Amazon via indigo fish were unable to supply an English language version despite two attempts. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Fiona
Now cracks a noble heart ....
This would be impossible to better. If you want Shakespeare, then Branagh delivers it .. in spades! He is THE Master of this genre.
Published 2 months ago by Peter E. Bradley
idolator
I was not really impressed by Branagh's Henry V , yet his Much Ado about Nothing and this Hamlet are really superb !!! Enjoy it !!
Published 3 months ago by Gogo
The best version of Hamlet I've ever seen!
Kenneth Branagh really shows his directing abilities and his superior acting skills!
One of the best versions of Hamlet ever (in my opinion). Read more
One of the best versions of Hamlet ever (in my opinion). Read more
Published 6 months ago by Christopher Verlaine-Maddison
Amazing
Reading Hamlet always makes me annoyed at the emotional danish prince, acting like a moody teenager. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Charlotta I. Rasmussen
A missed opportunity, Lemon and Crystal stink!
As someone who endured this on the big screen I feel I 'paid the price' for this review. The setting in the late 19th Century did little to enhance the entertainment or draw forth... Read more
Published 10 months ago by KC
Well done, Kenneth!
I had already seen the film years ago and decided to add it to my personal collection.
I love Branagh's version of Hamlet. I have appreciated every choice he has made. Read more
I love Branagh's version of Hamlet. I have appreciated every choice he has made. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Simona Danila Ferrai
Hey there's so & so.....
Mr Branagh drags along all & sundry to star in his interpretation of this classic. However, this is the first full text film version I've seen & I realised how the play is open to... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Horatio
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