William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)
starring: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Billy Crystal, Gérard Depardieu, Kate Winslet
directed by: Kenneth Branagh
directed by: Kenneth Branagh
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Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
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
Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
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
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Hamlet by Branagh
Well, we had to wait almost a decade but it's finally here:Kenneth Branagh's monumental production of Hamlet, on DVD for the first time.I'd been using a VHS/video version for years quite successfully but all good things come to an end.The tape had started to wear out and the colour didn't seem as fresh as it could have been.
Happily, Warner's did the right thing and digitally transferred it onto DVD for all of us Shakespeare afficionadoes!In short, it's magnificent. No problems ... Read More
Rating: 
- Fabulous!
When I saw that this version of Hamlet had finally been released on DVD, I was overjoyed.So here it is folks: Hamlet in all is extra widescreen glory, with Brannaugh's exacting eye for detail, and it's glorious.
Buy it--buy it now.It's wonderful.
Rating: - Complete Hamlet
First complete version of "Hamlet" on DVD.No edits of the text.Great!!!
Rating: - an epic by kennith branagh.....W.S.'s HAMLET
When this film was released 10 yrs ago on the BIG screen, all who saw Kennith Branagh's 4 hour long 'HAMLET'.... were breath taken. Now "thank God" we have this epic on DVD.
The cast alone makes this film a must see! Cameos by Jack Lemon, Robin Williams, Charlton Heston, Billy Chrystal,to name but a few, with major roles played by Julie Christie,Kate Winslet..(a young Kate),Richard Briers and of course Derek Jacobi and Kennith Branagh as HAMLET.
It is my belief that this will be the definitive ... Read More
Rating: - To be or not to be
I needed this particular copy instead of all the other versions because this one goes word for word with the original work. Because of that, I was able to watch the video (and with the use of captions) read it as well. It was over in about 4 hours and I got much more out of it. I am not a big fan of Shakespeare so this was a perfect way for me to get through it without too much suffering.
- Hamlet by BranaghWell, we had to wait almost a decade but it's finally here:Kenneth Branagh's monumental production of Hamlet, on DVD for the first time.I'd been using a VHS/video version for years quite successfully but all good things come to an end.The tape had started to wear out and the colour didn't seem as fresh as it could have been.
Happily, Warner's did the right thing and digitally transferred it onto DVD for all of us Shakespeare afficionadoes!In short, it's magnificent. No problems ... Read More
- Fabulous!When I saw that this version of Hamlet had finally been released on DVD, I was overjoyed.So here it is folks: Hamlet in all is extra widescreen glory, with Brannaugh's exacting eye for detail, and it's glorious.
Buy it--buy it now.It's wonderful.
- Complete HamletFirst complete version of "Hamlet" on DVD.No edits of the text.Great!!!
- an epic by kennith branagh.....W.S.'s HAMLETWhen this film was released 10 yrs ago on the BIG screen, all who saw Kennith Branagh's 4 hour long 'HAMLET'.... were breath taken. Now "thank God" we have this epic on DVD.
The cast alone makes this film a must see! Cameos by Jack Lemon, Robin Williams, Charlton Heston, Billy Chrystal,to name but a few, with major roles played by Julie Christie,Kate Winslet..(a young Kate),Richard Briers and of course Derek Jacobi and Kennith Branagh as HAMLET.
It is my belief that this will be the definitive ... Read More
- To be or not to beI needed this particular copy instead of all the other versions because this one goes word for word with the original work. Because of that, I was able to watch the video (and with the use of captions) read it as well. It was over in about 4 hours and I got much more out of it. I am not a big fan of Shakespeare so this was a perfect way for me to get through it without too much suffering.
