Hamlet (1996) Reviews
- Starring:
- Richard Attenborough, Kenneth Branagh, (more)
- Director(s):
- Kenneth Branagh
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13
- Category:
- Drama
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Member Reviews
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful Kenneth Branagh's mammoth 4 hour epic version of William Shakespeare's "The Tragicall Historie Of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmarke" (spelling is taken from the Second Quarto, published in 1604) is a ... Read More Kenneth Branagh's mammoth 4 hour epic version of William Shakespeare's "The Tragicall Historie Of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmarke" (spelling is taken from the Second Quarto, published in 1604) is a triumph on every level. The way that Branagh filmed the movie (in 70mm, for added brilliance), in addition to the lavish sets, all-star cast (which included Sir John Gielgud and Derek Jacobi, both of whom, along with Branagh, have played the Dane many times on stage) and the staging of the Bard's immortal soliloquies (particularly "To Be Or Not To Be" in a hallway full of mirrors) is a major reason to award it the coveted fifth star. Along with Sir Laurence Olivier's classic film version of the play, this one is a HAMLET for the ages. I am so excited that this film is finally coming to DVD on August 14th and highly recommend it. Branagh outdoes himself with this production, which clearly had "Academy Award" written all over it. Rated PG for some violent images and mild sensuality. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful Hands down it is the finest shot, finest acted, finest produced, absolute word for word definitive telling of the Bard's greatest tale. It is the first version that I have seen that has actors ... Read More Hands down it is the finest shot, finest acted, finest produced, absolute word for word definitive telling of the Bard's greatest tale. It is the first version that I have seen that has actors portraying a sense of realism to their text, and thus making perfect sense of the language. Gielgud is genius, but dated and broad. Gibson is solid, but the surrounding production is bland and unemotional. This version has it all...in my mind, there is no longer any other version. Thank the Heavens this FINALLY has landed on DVD!!! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful You have to like Shakespear. You have to understand that this movie takes concentration, due to the quick, complex, early-English dialog. This is an EXCELLENT version of Hamlet. Kenneth Branagh is ... Read More You have to like Shakespear. You have to understand that this movie takes concentration, due to the quick, complex, early-English dialog. This is an EXCELLENT version of Hamlet. Kenneth Branagh is a genius. Long movie, very long (the complete play, not condensed for the screen), but worth it for Shakespear lovers. Superb acting. Excellently done by Branagh. If I were a teacher, this is the verion I would show my students after we read and studied Hamlet in class. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful Kenneth Branagh has created a masterpiece in this four hour version of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Without a single lost line of dialog, the viewer is finally allowed to watch the complete epic ... Read More Kenneth Branagh has created a masterpiece in this four hour version of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Without a single lost line of dialog, the viewer is finally allowed to watch the complete epic unfold. Unlike the all-too brief, albeit passionate, Mel Gibson version, this one allows you to savor the magnitude of the play on a grand scale that only a 70mm film production could allow. Branagh as Hamlet, Kate Winslet as Ophelia, Brian Blessed as the late King and Derek Jacobi as deceptive uncle are all brilliant. This one should not be missed. Period. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful I recommend this screen play to any one who needs to understand and have a visual perspective on William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". It was clever and made very clear. It is by far one of the best films ... Read More I recommend this screen play to any one who needs to understand and have a visual perspective on William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". It was clever and made very clear. It is by far one of the best films relating to Hamlet word-for-word. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful I saw this st.louis TIVOLi opening night. It wanted to be a sweeping epic and should've been but it didn't deserve it's intermission it, due only to Branagh's spewing rapidly through his line w/o ... Read More I saw this st.louis TIVOLi opening night. It wanted to be a sweeping epic and should've been but it didn't deserve it's intermission it, due only to Branagh's spewing rapidly through his line w/o emotion. The rest of the cast is brilliant, Crystal is the highlight (suprising). branagh did a wonderful job directing, amazing shots, sets, and all that but he should've chose someone else for the lead, cuz he rushes his lines maybe 2 get back behind the camera 2 watch the other great actors do an amazing job. This is one of the most emotionlly conflicted characters in literature and yet here he is played with none. watch this and then watch the one with Mel Gibson, trust me u'll wish it had this ones running time. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful I was looking forward to Branaugh's complete Hamlet and couldn't wait to see it when it came out in theatres. I found it an almost complete disappointment due mainly to Branaugh's performance but, ... Read More I was looking forward to Branaugh's complete Hamlet and couldn't wait to see it when it came out in theatres. I found it an almost complete disappointment due mainly to Branaugh's performance but, also, to the absolutely absurd casting throughout the film. Far too many instances to note here but Robin Williams as Osiric, I feel, says it all. I've heard Branaugh as Hamlet and liked him quite well. He CAN do the role. He just doesn't seem to want to here. His lines are rushed and he seems constantly impatient to move on to the next scene. This film version of `Hamlet' is the most overrated since Olivier's 1948 production. If you like spectacle, this is for you; if you like substance, skip it. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 6 people found this review helpful the problem with Brannagh directing Shakespeare is that he will shove anyone he knows into any role no matter how miscast they would be or how they simply might not be a Shakespearian actor. Denzel ... Read More the problem with Brannagh directing Shakespeare is that he will shove anyone he knows into any role no matter how miscast they would be or how they simply might not be a Shakespearian actor. Denzel Washington & Keanu Reeves in Much Ado; Jack Lemmon here; Robin Williams. Henry V was filled with great Shakespearian actors who were then unknowns in the sense of pop culture and the film version soared. after that, any idiot who got on Brannagh's good side could get into his films and call themselves Shakespearian actors. Sad Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 6 people found this review helpful the dvd stopped playing after approx 30 minutes and I couldn't get the movie to continue.i took it back the next day ,but it was early am and the store was not open.Also shipped back Hamlet 2 as I ... Read More the dvd stopped playing after approx 30 minutes and I couldn't get the movie to continue.i took it back the next day ,but it was early am and the store was not open.Also shipped back Hamlet 2 as I figured if I can;t see #1 why watch #2 Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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