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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like Love's Labour's Lost, Much Ado about Nothing shows Shakespeare moving into a more complex and darker terrain through his exploration of an apparently harmless comical romance. The play revolves around the adventures of the two gallants Claudio and Benedick at the court of Sicily. Claudio falls in love with the governor's daughter Hero, and is eager for his more misanthropic friend Benedick to also find love. Benedick is introduced to the fiery, independent Beatrice, and sparks soon fly as they banter with each other in a more wittier version of Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. Beatrice has some wonderful ripostes to marriage asking why should a woman marry "a clod of wayward marl", whilst Benedick grumbles that "She speaks poniards and every word stabs". Meanwhile, the jealous Don John convinces Claudio that Hero has in fact been unfaithful to him. When Claudio rejects Hero on their wedding day, she faints and is taken for dead. In the hectic final scenes the play moves towards reconciliation between Claudio and Hero, and the tentative admission of the love between Benedick and Beatrice. Famously filmed by Kenneth Branagh in the Tuscan countryside with a cast that included Keanu Reeves, Much Ado about Nothing remains one of Shakespeare's most successful comedies. --Jerry Brotton.
Review
'Cambridge has come up with an excellent new series, Shakespeare in Production, which is going to be invaluable to anybody studying, acting, or producing his plays.' Plays and Players Applause Magazine
'Shakespeare in Production … is … ideally suited to people like me: people as interested in the stage history of a Shakespearean play as in its text. What distinguishes these editions, and makes them of particular interest to drama and theatre departments, is their unique concentration on theatrical production.' Studies in Theatre Production
'I cannot recommend too highly the whole series (a bargain at £16.99 for each play) to all theatre lovers, theatregoers, theatre practitioners, and anybody who enjoys Shakespeare.' Robert Tanitch, What's on in London
' ... interesting things to say on structure ...' Plays International --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
'Shakespeare in Production … is … ideally suited to people like me: people as interested in the stage history of a Shakespearean play as in its text. What distinguishes these editions, and makes them of particular interest to drama and theatre departments, is their unique concentration on theatrical production.' Studies in Theatre Production
'I cannot recommend too highly the whole series (a bargain at £16.99 for each play) to all theatre lovers, theatregoers, theatre practitioners, and anybody who enjoys Shakespeare.' Robert Tanitch, What's on in London
' ... interesting things to say on structure ...' Plays International --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson version of 'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of the happiest and most charming films I have ever seen (despite the tense bit in the middle and the tedious nature of the bard's original story).
This DVD is let down -so- badly by the rough and ready transfer, which has the following problems:
1) This is 1.4ish:1 and not widescreen as it says on the packaging (the original film -was- widescreen)
2) The colour in the original film was wonderful - alas not the DVD, where unsightly colour aliasing and contours are evident
3) There isn't even a decent Scene Selection capability, just a small number of whole 'acts', so it is very hard to find your place if you don't see it all the way through
4) No Extras whatever, despite the fact that there was a lovely 'making of' featurette made (I watched it on TV).
Please, please, please could we have a widescreen anamorphic reissue (Region 2) with all of the above corrected?
I for one would pay full price.
This DVD is let down -so- badly by the rough and ready transfer, which has the following problems:
1) This is 1.4ish:1 and not widescreen as it says on the packaging (the original film -was- widescreen)
2) The colour in the original film was wonderful - alas not the DVD, where unsightly colour aliasing and contours are evident
3) There isn't even a decent Scene Selection capability, just a small number of whole 'acts', so it is very hard to find your place if you don't see it all the way through
4) No Extras whatever, despite the fact that there was a lovely 'making of' featurette made (I watched it on TV).
Please, please, please could we have a widescreen anamorphic reissue (Region 2) with all of the above corrected?
I for one would pay full price.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I reviewed this film when the DVD was first released, but amazon, in their wisdom didn't publish it. so...
Lets not get this wrong. I love this film. I really do.
On the other hand this DVD is a travesty.
The picture quality is the same as the video, that is not as good as the copy i made off the TV! Sound quality is excellent (unlike the video).
No extras. Poor picture. Great sound and acting.
I don't know if the US version is any better, but it can't be any worse.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There are plenty of detailed critiques of the performances and production on here which I won't attempt to emulate; this review is rather for the casual browser who is hovering around the 'add to basket' button. So - Yes! I bought this at a price pretty much equivalent to rental - and I would heartily recommend it as great value and good entertainment. It has its weaknesses - the DVD transfer is not particularly high quality (I'd like to see a fully restored, Blu-Ray version) and has no supplementary material. Of the performances, only Keanu Reeeves' is really dubious - he brings to the part of John the Bastard an impressive physique and little else. There's also some of that rather cloying best buddies quality that accompanies Branagh's core troupe. However, overall it trips along with a light touch and is very entertaining - genuinely so on the strength of the play, not just for the interest of the interpretation. The cinematography and scenery are superb (though again, some colour restoration would have helped, and some of the cast had gone very pink in the Italian sun!). I enjoyed Keaton's perfomance as Dogberry, though I struggled to hear everything he said, and it did remind me of Beetlejuice. I'd forgotten how luminously beautiful and engaging the young Kate Beckinsale was before she became Hollywood Barbie (sigh..), and was very impressed by the naturalness of Denzel Washington's delivery, as Branagh's integration of US actors sometimes jars.
You don't have to be a Shakespeare fanatic to enjoy this, but there is equally plenty there to satisfy the enthusiast. Hit that button!
You don't have to be a Shakespeare fanatic to enjoy this, but there is equally plenty there to satisfy the enthusiast. Hit that button!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Shakepeare at it's best
This film is in the shakespearian language that even a novice can understand due to the fabulous acting in this film. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Bellagina
Poor quality
I just love this movie. It's Shakespeare with a warm heart and a good sense of humour. BUT this DVD-version is of terrible quality. Read more
Published 2 months ago by PetraE
much ado about nothing
this was a thoroughly enjoyable film, very funny. i did not realise shakespear could be so enjoyable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by tree
Acting at its best
Shakespeare - not for everyone - but in this production it is a definate yes. All the characters are brilliantly acted - especially the performance by Kenneth Brannagh. Read more
Published 3 months ago by coffeetime
A great play performed with vigour and imagination
If readers require a critique of the play, please read elsewhere.
Branagh and Thompson in 'Much Ado About Nothing' supported by a large cast of acTORS are excellent and... Read more
Branagh and Thompson in 'Much Ado About Nothing' supported by a large cast of acTORS are excellent and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
An excellent, cheap edition of the play
Wordsworth Classics do not try to be anything they are not, a feature I have liked about them for years. Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
Great watching
My old video version of Much Ado About Nothing is nearly worn out so my daughter (in Australia) and myself (in New Zealand) have searched for a DVD copy of Kevin Branagh's version. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Marlene
Much Ado About Nothing (DVD) (1993)
Emma Thompson, as Beatrice, opens this film version by Kenneth Branagh, reading sonnets at a merry outdoor picnic. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Derek Vernon-morris
Popular Shakespeare
A remarkable version of this play. The star studded cast do not block out the story at all. No egos on show here.
Published 7 months ago by Poohbaa
Fast Delivery!
Arrived sooner than indicated which was awesome as I needed for teaching. Not in zone for NZ but doesn't matter as every DVD player can be multizone these days.
Published 9 months ago by KiwiKindleLover
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