Kenneth Branagh made excellent adaptations of Shakespeare prior to this film. They include "Henry V" (1989) and "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993), but this remains his triumph.
"Hamlet" is Shakespeare's most accessible play, so the experts say. Yet it is usually truncated for film and on stage. Branagh's contribution to the long line of film adaptations (which include Laurence Olivier's 1948 Oscar-winner and Franco Zeffirelli's popular 1990 version with Mel Gibson) is to do the complete play line for line. It may be about 4 hours long, but I tell you it is the most glorious 4 hours of Shakespeare you will ever witness!
Branagh's direction of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a sweeping, grand, epic tale of romance, murder and revenge filled with tragedy, sword fights and humor. He plays the title role himself, with an energy and style rarely seen in the role (with the possible exception of Gibson's bold interpretation). Then he employs a wide variety of supporting players that includes internationally famous names like Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon, Gerard Depardieu, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi, Charlton Heston and Kate Winslet. Each appears with different degrees of screen time, but most aquit themselves well.
Stunningly not nominated for Best Picture at that year's Oscars, but amusingly it did get a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay.
"Hamlet" is Shakespeare's most accessible play, so the experts say. Yet it is usually truncated for film and on stage. Branagh's contribution to the long line of film adaptations (which include Laurence Olivier's 1948 Oscar-winner and Franco Zeffirelli's popular 1990 version with Mel Gibson) is to do the complete play line for line. It may be about 4 hours long, but I tell you it is the most glorious 4 hours of Shakespeare you will ever witness!
Branagh's direction of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a sweeping, grand, epic tale of romance, murder and revenge filled with tragedy, sword fights and humor. He plays the title role himself, with an energy and style rarely seen in the role (with the possible exception of Gibson's bold interpretation). Then he employs a wide variety of supporting players that includes internationally famous names like Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon, Gerard Depardieu, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi, Charlton Heston and Kate Winslet. Each appears with different degrees of screen time, but most aquit themselves well.
Stunningly not nominated for Best Picture at that year's Oscars, but amusingly it did get a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay.
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