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Hamlet (2 Disc Special Edition)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £29.95 (subject to change)
Editorial
Product Description
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. Langages avialabel on the dvd are: English,Castillian Spanish,German,Polish & Portuguese,Subtitles: English,C/Spanish,German,Greek,Polish & Portuguese.Extra features including introductions/commentary by Kenneth Branagh & Russell Jackson,'Featurette,Film promo,Shakespeare movie trailor gallery.
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
The Beautiful People
Review date: 2008-11-28 Rating: 2 out of 10
For me Shakespear is about grit, passion and texture. Mr Branagh and his beautiful people just cannot do it - period. I had hoped his Hamlet would change my mind but this is a slick Hollywood-style production that - for me - did the Bard no favours. It is rather like a fruit salad that has been put through a blender, smooth and with no particular flavour. Personally, I like the lumps!
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Reviews
PERFECTION
Review date: 2008-10-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is without a doubt, the greatest, most heartbreaking, opulent and involving adaptation of Hamlet that will ever, ever, ever be in existence. We have seen 3 versions in our Shakespeare-obsessional career, and this is absolutely and by far the best. You just cannot compare this to anything else. It's our favourite film in the whole wide world. Kenneth Branagh delivers his lines with subtlety, genuine emotion and real understanding, which is key. He is our favourite actor in the world due to this film alone! Don't let the length put you off, you won't want it to end even after 4 hours. It is a joy to watch!
This movie is Hamlet
Review date: 2008-08-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a Shakespeare play about the prince of Denmark and tragedy surrounding the family. Many people want to say the prince Hamlet is indecision yet he outmaneuvers just about everyone and has depth of vision. Now watch as Hamlet discovers who killed the king, his father, and how he attempts to get his revenge.
The only negative thing I could think of this Kenneth Branagh interpretation is the costume period is not what I was brought up on in the other versions and books. Jack Lemmon was sort of a distraction.
Now that being said, I never knew how good Hamlet could be until I saw the Kenneth Branagh version. For some reason I never noticed the missing dialog in the other versions until I was treated to the complete dialog in this version. The filled in parts give the story more meaning. Everyone else, even Hamlet (1948) with Laurence Olivier seems like the Readers digest version. I do not think you want to hear comparisons and contrasts of acting styles; so I will just say this film changed what would have been a nice story to actually feel that you are there.
Take caution before purchasing/downloading any rendition of Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet as there are some edited versions that may not be complete.
Perfect
Review date: 2008-06-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
The first complete unabridged version of Hamlet to be filmed, this film is an essential part of anyones DVD collection, and was certainly worth the 10 year+ wait for the DVD release. It has a stellar cast... Kate Winslet's Opehelia is brilliant and Richard Briers is perfectly cast as Polonius. In fact, all the central characters are performed brilliantly. It is also good fun to spot the big names playing smaller roles, including a tiny cameo from Dame Judi of Dench. The cinematography is stunning, and the scene in the hall of mirrors is great.
Of course the fact that this is the greatest play written by Shakespeare helps, but when it is interpreted by someone such as Branagh who has an instinctive understanding of how to make Shakespeare's language accessible and instantly understandable it takes it to a whole new level. This is the definitive film version of Hamlet, unlikely to be bettered.
Murder, Madness and Revenge Writ Large - Brilliant!
Review date: 2008-02-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
The is the best version of 'Hamlet' on DVD. Kenneth Branagh (also directing) is brilliant as the Prince and the whole production is sumptuously filmed in 70mm. It's a stellar cast and the whole play is brought alive gloriously and unforgettably. Richard Briers, Derek Jacobi, Charlton Heston and Kate Winslet all give superb performances. Don't be put off by the length of the production (around 4 hours) because this is so good that time simply flies by. You are drawn into the action and Branagh's genius is to make the play accessible to all. He has done the Bard a wonderful service with this film and it's great to see this released on DVD at last. I can't recommend this highly enough - even if Shakespeare is not really your thing, you will love this. It's a great film of a great play.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Charlton Heston
Julie Christie
Gerard Depardieu
Kenneth Branagh
Billy Crystal
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Model: Z1C2683
EAN: 7321900826839
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL, Dolby, Digital Sound, Widescreen, Colour,
Release date: 2007-09-24
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 232 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: Unknown (Subtitled)