William Shakespeare's Hamlet

"Branagh inexorably reigns over, his interpretation of Hamlet is categorically riveting from stem to stern, he also imbues stimulatingly mordant irony into those trenchantly uttered words, which engenders a ghost of naivety, puzzlement, or dread among his spate of erudition, the wording is archaic, but Hamlet's complexity becomes chiseled and relatable to even those who are not anglophone. Also, Branagh's assertiveness is rather enchanting to behold, unlike Sir Olivier, on top of the astounding dithyrambs uttered in a rich baritone with a vengeance, he also waltz with facility, ergo, the entire film feels fleet-footed albeit its hefty length (still, an intermission is highly commended)." read my full review on my blog: Cinema Omnivore, thanks.

This is truly the perfect rendition of Hamlet. Kenneth Branagh has given us Shakespeare's play just the way it was meant to be. Nothing has been omitted,not a single line or scene. Even the specific phrasing and delivery of the lines are perfect. Kenneth gives the best rendition of the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy that I have ever seen. When I first saw the film I truly believed this is how Shakespeare would want it. Though they added a bit of "Hollywood Drama" I truly believe this is a beautiful version of Hamlet.

KB's Much Ado About Nothing is one of the greatest adaptations of Shakespeare to the big screen. KB's Hamlet is one of the worst. The special effects were childish, the humor was stale, flat and unprofitable, KB was wooden, many famous actors barely knew their lines and I doubt any understood what they were saying. And what was that guard doing jumping onto the back of the other one at the beginning? Was that supposed to be funny? And the Doc Zhivago ending? What's up with that? And the pace of the movie!!! Slower than a Jovian year! I've seen Hamlets that went by in a flash because of the humor and the quick pace of the play. This movie seems to go on forever. Now for good parts. The film did have a very good look it. And Sir Derek .. . wow . . . that is the best Claudius I have ever seen. I can only hope that KB returns to the formula he used for Much Ado and Henry V for his next Shakespeare adaptation. Nick

Prince of Denmark Hamlet (Kenneth Branagh) return home for his father's funeral and his mother (Julie Christie)'s quick wedding to his uncle (Derek Jacobi). He is haunted by the ghost of his father who his uncle was the murderer. Lord Chamberlain Polonius is suspicious of Hamlet. Hamlet kills him in a mistake. Polonius' daughter and Hamlet's love Ophelia (Kate Winslet) is driven mad. Kenneth Branagh has placed this classic Shakespearean play in the 19th century. There is a steam railroad train. The setting is grander than the usual drab rainy moody Denmark. It's all very well done. He plays Hamlet not quite as a moody dour personality. I prefer Hamlet maddenly depressed introvert. Branagh's a big time show man and this is a big showcase of big time actors.

Just what is too long for a rendering of Shakespeare's HAMLET? If, like me, you love every word gem of the Bard, there is no "too long", even a tad. Bertram Kliman's "Three Text Hamlet" gives the First and Second Quarto and the First Folio versions in parallel columns. The first two are much shorter, and most scholars and dramaturgs use them only for emendations to the Folio text. It looks like Kenneth Branagh has used just about all of the First Folio, with maybe a pick here and there from the Quartos. Whatever, he has created a magnificent film. Casting, background, direction and camera work defy criticism. Using Blenheim Castle as Elsinore and moving action forward in time does make for some of the usual anachronisms, but then Shakespeare was guilty of plenty of these himself. In any case, the problems are deftly handled. Treat yourself to a splendid HAMLET!