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Hamlet [VHS] [1997]
 
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Hamlet [VHS] [1997]

VHS ~ Kenneth Branagh
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi, Kate Winslet, Riz Abbasi
  • Directors: Kenneth Branagh
  • Writers: Kenneth Branagh, William Shakespeare
  • Producers: David Barron
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • VHS Release Date: 6 Aug 2001
  • Run Time: 121 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005NBUS
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,393 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

    Popular in this category:

    #6 in  Video > Classic Films > Actresses > Christie, Julie

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

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


Synopsis

The Prince of Denmark despairs when his widowed mother marries his uncle. A visitation by his father's ghost reveals the full extent of his uncle's secret activities. Based on Shakespeare's unabridged text.

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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly "abridged", 8 Feb 2004
By Tanja Gehren (Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa) - See all my reviews
I received my copy of Hamlet, dying to watch the unabridged version (or based on the unabridged text) as mentioned in the amazon video details page, and to my dismay, realised my version was only 121 minutes long. It is not the unabridged Hamlet - it is shortened and adapted. The Hamlet based on the unabridged text of Shakespeare (as claimed by amazon) is up to 4 hours long. Still very good, but sadly, not the real thing! Can anyone tell me where to get the unabridged copy of Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet?
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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars WARNING THIS EDITION IS ABRIDGED, 21 Oct 2001
By A Customer
DON'T BUY THIS FILM IF YOU'RE EXPECTING TO OWN THE COMPLETE FILM OF BRANAGH'S HAMLET. THIS EDITION IS ABRIDGED AND SEVERAL KEY MOMENTS FROM THE FILM ARE CUT OUT. THIS IS MORE LIKE A FILM THAT HAS BEEN EDITED FOR TELEVISION. ON THE PLUS SIDE, IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THE COMPLETE VERSION THIS IS VISUALLY STUNNING AND FEATURES SOME WORLD CLASS ACTORS. PRE TITANIC KATE WINSLET'S PORTRAYAL OF OPHELIA IS NOT TO BE MISSED. ADMITTEDLY THE FILM IS A LOT EASIER TO WATCH HAVING BEEN SHORTENED BUT I FOR ONE WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED WITH IT.
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27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Abridged HAMLET, 22 Feb 2004
By A Customer
I wanted the full four hour version. I got the abridged two hour version. Please make sure you have ordered the correct one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Branagh as bleached-blond Hamlet
This is a very well-directed film. The great joy of watching a Branagh-directed Shakespeare is the effort put into ensuring that the diction is as clear and natural as possible... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Nicholas Casley

5.0 out of 5 stars "Would Macy's Tell Gimbels?"
I recall having to scout about all over the county to find a cinema that even knew Brannagh HAD a full-length Hamlet on release... Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2007 by D. Oxford

5.0 out of 5 stars A Study in Power Politics
It may be that many of the earlier reviews relate to the abridged version of the film, not the full length - 242 minutes - Region 1 DVD currently on offer, which also contains... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2007 by A. J. Flint

5.0 out of 5 stars Kenneth Brannagh's 4 Hour Hamlet
I felt compelled to write something just to correct what a reviewer below (Orlando) stated; that this isn't the 4 hour version. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2007 by Stephen Macdonald

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the 4 hours version
This item is not the complete 4 hours version, contrarily to what the Amazon.co.uk review may lead you to believe, but a 2 hours version. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2006 by Orlando

5.0 out of 5 stars Hamlet......Branaghs best
I thought this version of Hamlet outstanding and well worth the time to sit and watch.outstanding cast appearences by robin williams and Richard Briars and including well known... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2004 by mr B.Austin

5.0 out of 5 stars one word - fantastic (if you know what you're talking about)
The acting in this film is what really sets it apart from other versions of Hamlet - indeed other versions of Shakespeare in my opinion. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespearian splendor
Kenneth Branagh stars in and directs this elegant and articulate version of Shakespeare's great play. I have to say, this is excellent. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2003 by M. D. Hart

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Hamlet by far.
I have watched all the Hamlet's, and can honestly say that this is the most watchable, and certainly the most enjoyable. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2003 by Mr. E. Selous

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
This production of Hamlet is fantastic. Branagh is perfect as Hamlet, he gets the 'madness' just right. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2003 by an_anonymous_thinker

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