Hamlet: (1996) Special Edition (Dbl DVD)

There are many film interpretations of Shakespeare's best-known plays, and you should never depend on seeing a single one to get a good interpretation of the play. Based on watching six different film versions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" I heartily agree with the reviewer who says versions made for film bring the special talents of the cinematographer and editor to bear, which are absent when the film is a record of a stage performance, or directed as if it were being done on the stage. And, since this is Shakespeare's best known play, and perhaps the finest play written in any language, the more versions you see the better. I already mentioned one reason, the added depth achieved by camera close ups and long range views, for recommending this version. A second reason is that this production makes a point of adding every word Shakespeare wrote, even to the point of reconciling different editions to get the best lines. Almost all versions of Shakespeare's plays, and especially Hamlet, are cut down, with one or more sup-plots shrunk or deleted. This does not, which is why it runs to over 4 hours. Added to Shakespeare's words are a number of flashbacks and "interpretation" scenes which imagine what meaning is lurking behind some of the words spoken on stage. The cast is stupendous. It is the kind of cast usually assembled for such epics as "The Longest Day" where most characters may be on the screen for about 5 minutes, so they need a familiar face in order for you to remember who that pilot was after he was shot down (Oh yes, that's Richard Burton. He was in the pub scene 90 minutes ago.) Most of the key roles are played by well known Shakespearian specialists, such as Branagh, Derek Jacobi, and Richard Briers. Several of the minor characters are Shakespearean regulars too, like Brian Blessed as the ghost. I especially liked to see Jacobi in a solid, major role, and not as window dressing in the first episodes of costume dramas, to lend weight to the cast. There are also lots of good non-Shakespearean actors in the main rank, especially Julie Christie and Kate Winslet. Among the incidental characters, talent is used with such abandon that one is almost inclined to refer to casting pearls before swine, bot so many of them work to perfection. My favorite is Charlton Heston as the leader of the traveling company of players who performs for the court of Denmark. He plays the role to perfection, and he seems perfectly cast. The other extreme is Jack Lemmon as Marcellus, one of the guards who first spots the ghost during the night watch at Elsinore Castle. It is not a comic role, and you have to look twice to recognize him. He only has two or three short scenes. Speaking of comedy roles (and Shakespeare always manages to include one or two, even in tragedies, there are Billy Crystal as the first gravedigger and Robin Williams as a courtier, who scores the fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes in the last act. Williams seems wasted, but Crystal is pitch perfect. For the first time, I get the sense that Shakespeare's main interest in this play was not justice or revenge, but madness, as two of the main characters either feign madness or actually become mad. And, dare I say it that it seems the most sane character, Polonius, is belittled by all the other characters, then killed, from madness. But an analysis like that is above my Shakespearean pay grade... Which makes me think that almost all actors in this production worked for scale (that is, peanuts). I have seen at least two other productions which are done in bright light, for the camera, and neither can hold a candle to this one. And for all the lights and cinematic expanses, the key speeches come off perfectly. Highly recommended.

This release of the full-length version of Shakespeare's masterpiece is a real treat for fans. It is everything that I personally am looking for in any blu-ray release to justify any double-dipping over the standard dvd version. It firstly comes in a very well designed and assembled digibook format; the picture quality is glorious in 1080p and the sound quality in DTS HD MA is excellent as well although as this is mostly speech-driven, the DTS Surround sound doesn't really have a chance to show off its full potential but I suppose more is better than less even in this case. Other than for a very few scenes such as the ghost scenes, the film is mostly front heavy with regards the sound. While "Hamlet" is very good I personally prefer "Macbeth" as my all-time favourite play of the Bard's and as it is the second shortest of his plays, I hope that a similar treatment can be done with word-for-word scripting as it was done here. It could be like a "Braveheart" type film and would be very exciting indeed. As "Macbeth" is shorter than "Hamlet" even the complete version should clock in at quite a bit less than the 4 hours here and as a testament to how great this version is, I didn't even feel the time go by and I was even irritated at the "intermission" where I would have preferred it to continue; after all, we are watching a blu-ray and so we can make our own "intermission" at any time using the "pause" button. I watched this film while following along with the written word in my Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Barnes & Noble Leather Classic) and I realised that for a couple of scenes, other than the obvious time period setting etc Branagh took some liberties like moving them around a little e.g. the end of Act 3 Scene 2 and at least for me it was amusing catching out a couple of actors who said the wrong words e.g. Robin Williams' Osric "Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leisure" when it should have been "lordship" and during "The Mousetrap" when the actress queen says "In either naught, or in extremity" when it should be "neither aught" etc. I guess it is very difficult for actors when they don't completely understand what they are saying. I was most impressed with Charlton Heston who was magnificent and even he miss-stated one word but all this wasn't a big deal for me as I still enjoyed the entire film a great deal which is clearly head and shoulders above the many previous versions and especially the Mel Gibson version. A highly enjoyable experience for Shakespeare fans and I wait in hope for a similar treatment of my personal favourite "Macbeth" to be made. Very highly recommended!

Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet" works so well on the big screen because the guy has a knack for Shakespeare, acting, directing, and knowing what "modern" audiences wanted out of a Shakespearean play. He takes the tale of Hamlet, prince of Denmark, and transports it to more of a modern setting (well, more modern than the 16th century). He assembles an all-star cast that includes Kate Winslett, Charlton Heston, Derek Jacobi, Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams among others in this adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. Although 4 hours in length (mainly because every word in the play is inserted in the script), the stunning effect of the play is extraordinary. The backdrop for the ghost of Hamlet in the opening scene, the mirror used when Hamlet (Branaugh) is making his "To be or not to be" soliloquy, the palace in which Hamlet and Laertes fight, and the snowy landscape in which Fortenbras and his men arrive are all instances of using scenery and directing to update this version of the play. Although the setting and interpretation of what Shakespeare intended are left in doubt, the movie itself is visually stunning and the acting is great. Although Branaugh hired a few American actors to take on some of Shakespeare's characters (for instance, Robin Williams plays Osric and Billy Crystal plays one of the gravediggers), there "American" accents are hardly noticed in the film. As an educator, I also think this is a fantastic version to use as a resource for a study of the play. Because the dialogue is accurate to the play, it works well. Also, this version seemingly makes the work of Shakespeare easier to understand. (Although, as a warning, there is one scene with Winslet (Ophelia) and Branaugh (Hamlet) that is definitely "adult" in nature). Overall, a great gamble by Branaugh to update Shakespeare's work into his own insight. There is also a few extras on the VHS version: interviews with many of the cast members as well as a behind the scenes about the movie. Also recommended: Hamlet (Mel Gibson version)

Difficult to discern rating a DVD from rating a piece of fiction from Shakespeare. As it stands, there are so many emotional shifts in the play itself that are required to occur in any digital rendering of this story, and the language is so dense and tedious, that to fully appreciate and enjoy both the story's full brilliance as well as the awesome achievement of this movie by Kenneth Branagh, that it requires just an enormous amount of energy. Especially since nothing is cut. It's 4 hours long. Did I say that it's FOUR hours long? Still, it's in my movie collection, and I plan to watch it again at least several more times in my lifetime. Along with the screenplay, the specially written and commented on screenplay by the movie's director and screenplay's director (note: screenplay, not play---not trying to say Branagh wrote Hamlet. He just wrote a screenplay that serves the play in order to make a movie from it) Kenneth Branagh provides us with an awesome experience.

I am, like Claudius, to "double business bound" in that while I feel this is the best realization on film of this play, it has certain glaring faults that diminish its otherwise superb interpretation. There is, first, Branagh's portrayal of the Dane himself. He is at times overly mannered to the point that we see him reaching for an emotion he doesn't seem to feel - witness his "O that this too too solid (sullied) flesh. ." soliloquy. One gets the distinct impression that he is focused not on the emotions of his character but rather on where the camera is placed. Too, his talk with Polonius in 2.1 is thoroughly misguided. He comes across not as mad, much less as crafty, but rather as smarmy and adolescent. Gibson does a much finer job with this scene as his Hamlet is more bewildered than juvenile. Overall, his portrayal lacks subtlety as well as range. His death scene could be a primer on what actors must never do - show that they are acting. Both Burton and Finnes are more exciting Hamlets. Of course there are times when Branagh excels, such as when he drags the hapless Ophelia (played magnificently by Winslet, who, for perhaps the first time in her career keeps most of her clothes on - one indeed sometimes gets the feeling she will only accept roles which allow her to disrobe)around a mirrored room (also a fine directorial flourish - where is the camera?). As for the other actors - Jacobi as a Claudius who engages our sympathy is, as always, superb. Richard Briers, who was a disasterous Malvolio in Branagh's first foray into directing Shakespeare (his Malvolio was much too florid, too angry by half) is competent here; Hume Cronyn (in Burton/Gielgud's production) remains, for me, the definitive Polonius. Now we come to Branagh as director and interpreter of the text. Having Ophelia read the love letter she received from Hamlet is an injudicious misstep, as is the intercut bedroom scene between she and Hamlet - it serves no purpose. Along the same lines, when Hamlet first spies Ophelia seemingly praying, Branagh plays it as a spurned lover - precisely what he must not do, for if he does Claudius would certainly have to agree with Polonius' assertion that Hamlet's madness is due to Ophelia's not reciprocating his love. The biggest, most unforgivable mistake Branagh makes is in the last scene. Just when all of our attention should be focused squarely on Hamlet, Laertes, Claudius, and Gertrude, it is diverted to Fortinbras' attack. This attack is at odds with the text. If Fortinbras were attacking Denmark why in the name of all that is holy, would he seems genuinely sorrowful over the many dead bodies he encounters on entering the castle? It is much more satisfying (and textually accurate) to have Fortinbras simply walk in and take the crown without having lifted a finger - the irony of the situation is delicious - here Hamlet has brooded and brooded and finally after he exacts his revenge and dies Fortinbras, who is a man of action who at first wanted revenge against Denmark for his father's death at the hands of Hamlet's father, gets his revenge by doing precisely nothing. Branagh, however, botches it. Not only that, as though there are not enough dead bodies littering the stage, he kills off Osric who, judging by his final words, is killed by a 21 gun salute given by the Norweigians to the British. I teach this play so I have to carefully explain that the attck on Elsinore Castle makes no sense textually or otherwise. I am not such a puritst that I believe that a Shakepearean text never be touched. In Patrick Stewart's Macbeth certain liberties are taken, but they work. Too, what is that business of Hamlet becoming Errol Flynn bounding down to Claudius on a chandelier? In short, the final scene is dramatic enough without Branagh inventing drama of his own. All that said however, the film has great merit. And any fans of the play would be doing themselves a disservice were they to miss it.

Having shown the 1996 "Hamlet" to English students every year for at least a decade, I may have begun to take for granted just how magnificent this adaptation is. But it's good to be reminded again what makes it, for me, unquestionably the best film version of the greatest dramatic work ever created. Begin with Branagh's audacious choice to include every single line of the play, obviously a boon to us English teachers out here, but also a clear sign of madness if one intends to make any money at the box office, since it meant releasing a movie that's over 4 hours long. But putting aside the length and novelty of an "intact" Hamlet, what really sets Branagh's apart is the visual clarity and boldness of his directoral choices. It doesn't hurt to have actors like Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Nicholas Farrel and Kate Winslet on board either. Yes, I'll admit some of the supporting players aren't particularly "Shakespearean," especially Jack Lemmon and Charlton Heston, but there's something wonderful about Billy Crystal's Gravedigger and Robin Williams' Osric popping up for their brief moments of comic relief. And the power of the final scene cannot be denied, especially with Branagh's interpretation of the oft-neglected Fortinbras subplot. Branagh himself is brilliant as the melancholy Dane, even if he was just a few years too old to play the role at the time (but aren't the best Hamlets always just a few years too old? It's almost as if the life experience needed to really "get" the 30 year old character only comes from living 35 years or more). Anyway, twenty years after its release, it holds up incredibly well and remains the standard by which all other Hamlets should be judged.

My expectations when approaching one of Shakespeare's plays are usually very low. However, Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Hamlet for the screen, including his casting, direction, and acting not only met my hopes but often exceeded them. Attending performances of Hamlet, over the years, by local theater groups, never failed to leave me with extreme disappointment and with the conclusion that Americans were too intimidated by the language to deliver a good performance. There was a world of difference between my imagination when reading the play and viewing a staged performance. This film delivered the performance I'd hoped for and in the minor character of Osric, played by Robin Williams, upstaged my imagination. I loved it! The greatest surprise was the altered period of the setting. Medieval Gothic had been replaced by the 19th century. Someone, perhaps Mr. Branagh, had said the intent was to bring it closer to the audience but distant enough to make the elevated language acceptable. I thought that goal was achieved. The second surprise was the casting. I had been drawn to this film by a trailer that included Billy Crystal as the 2nd grave digger and was impressed by his acting. It was obvious to me this would not be a usual performance. Another casting surprise was Jack Lemmon as Marcellus and Robin William's part I've already mentioned. These Americans presented outstanding performances. But who would have imagined Julie Christi as Gertrude? She did a great job and I thought the entire cast delivered a memorable performance. I would definitely recommend this film to anyone that had any sort of attraction to Hamlet. At least one of the soliloquies - to be or not to be - may tire the less enthusiastic, but I was impressed by Branagh's delivery and consequently this was the only dialogue of length that "stood out."

I have watched several movie versions of Hamlet, and this one is the best. It’s the entire Second Quarto text of the play, so 4 hours long! No wonder this movie did poorly at the box office, but don’t let that deter you. The dvd lets you take the play in manageable chunks—one act at a time is how I watched it. The enunciation of Shakespeare’s complex language in this filmed version is wonderfully paced and comes across crystal clear. Director Branagh’s cinematic flair is on full display and the production design is dazzling to the eye. If some of Branagh’s interpretations aren’t quite in accord with your previous encounters with Hamlet, chalk it up to having your horizons stretched. Worthwhile commentaries on the making of the film accompany the 2-disc dvd set.

Brilliant. A great rendition of this play.

Film d'une durée moindre d'une heure p ar rapport à l'original. Je n'ai toujours pas reçu mon remboursement alors que le colis a été renvoyé le 2 février.

Seit Jahren warte ich auf diesen Film. Keiner hat Hamlet je so überzeugend darstellen können wie Kenneth Branagh. Kenneth Branagh schafft es, die Dialoge von Shakespeares Stück sehr genau zu übernehmen und damit auch diejenigen zu überzeugen, die das Stück noch nicht gelesen haben. Die Geschichte beinhaltet zwar so viel, aber ich bemühe mich um eine kurze Zusammenfassung: Hamlet ist voller Trauer, weil sein Vater gestorben ist und kann seine Wut kaum beherrschen als kurze Zeit später seine Mutter Hamlets Onkel heiratet. Er fasst es nicht, wie sie die Trauer so schnell überwinden konnte. Kurze Zeit später erzählen ihm 2 Freunde, dass Ihnen der Geist von Hamlets Vater in der Nacht erschienen wäre und er sollte doch in der nächsten Nacht mitkommen. Vielleicht hat der Geist ihm ja etwas zu sagen. Und das hat er auch: Der Geist von Hamlets Vater erzählt Hamlet, wie er in Wahrheit gestorben ist: er wurde vom Onkel vergiftet! Kein Wunder also, dass Hamlet bittere Rache schwört... Das ist aber noch lange nicht alles, denn der Film beinhaltet natürlich auch die (nicht gern gesehene) Liebe von Hamlet zu seiner Ophelia und von jede Menger Lügen, Betrug und auch hier und da einen ironischen Spruch ("Schwachheit, Dein Name ist Weib", "Sein oder nicht sein..."). Die Geschichte hat meiner Meinung nach von ihrer Aktualität bis heute nichts verloren und man kann sich gut in Hamlets Lage hineinversetzen. Kenneth Branagh hat meiner Meinung nach die best mögliche Umsetzung des Stücks geschafft und meistert es, den Zuschauer zu fesseln und in seinen Bann zu ziehen. Für mich ist der Film ein absolutes Meisterwerk, und das nicht nur, weil Hamlet mein Lieblingsstück von Shakespeare ist. Hier haben Shakespeare-Anfänger auch eine gute Möglichkeit, sich dem z. T. nicht einfachen Stoff auf unterhaltsame Art zu nähern. Ich freue mich auf die hoffentlich umfangreiche Doppel-DVD und gebe eine volle Empfehlung!

レンタルでもテレビの放送でも“なんだかちょっと物足りないなー”と思ってたんです。劇場公開されてた時って、ブラナーがこだわった“７０ミリ撮影”でさぞ迫力のある美しい映像だったに違いないと・・・。で、このビデオを見て目からウロコ！広がりが断然違うんです。壮麗なエルシノア城、煌びやかな衣装に身を包んだ人々で溢れる豪華な大広間、そして雪の大平原を行く何千ものノルウェー軍。当たり前と言えばそれまでですが画面の窮屈さが消えて、自然でとっても観やすい。バッサリ切り落とされた左右の画面はやはりあるべきだ！と思わずにはいられません。あー、もったいない。 今度は是非、ＤＶＤでお目に掛かりたいものです。

Delle varie opere di Shakespeare, Amleto è la mia preferita, e la versione cinematografica di Branagh rispecchia appieno la mia visione della storia. Branagh è uno dei pochi a mantenere il subplot dell'invasione norvegese, il che aiuta a dare tutta un'altra interpretazione di Amleto, oltre alla classica tragedia famigliare dove il complesso edipico, sono sincera, mi è sempre parso un po' di troppo, senza nulla togliere alle versioni di signori del cinema come Zeffirelli od Olivier che invece lo hanno abbracciato in pieno. Adoro l'ambientazione tardo-ottocentesca di Branagh, che strizza l'occhio alle atmosfere di Guerra e Pace o di Anna Karenina. Di solito non impazzisco terribilmente per i mash up di attori inglesi con attori americani, ma qui non se ne risente assolutamente, anzi. L'accoppiata Jacobi-Christie nei panni di Claudio e Gertrude funziona benissimo (e mi fa sogghignare, ripensando al precedente ruolo di Jacobi come Amleto nel Prince of Denmark), e altrettanto evocativi sono Kate Winslet e lo stesso Kenneth Branagh, nella più bella e carismatica interpretazione di Ofelia e Amleto che abbia mai avuto il piacere di ammirare in un film. Quattro ore di pellicola possono risultare pesantine di primo acchito, ma il film scorre che è un piacere al punto da non soffrire assolutamente della lunghezza della visione.