No film is more deserving of being encased within a book than Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, the first silver-screen adaptation to present Shakespeare's entire play, including portions from the Second Quarto and the First Folio. Branagh made every effort to create a spectacular production worthy of what is arguably the world's greatest play. He selected an international cast and shot it on 70mm, currently the last film to have done so in its entirety, to augment its grandeur.
The story tells the tale of Hamlet (Branagh), Prince of Denmark, who not only has to deal with the recent death of his father, King Hamlet, (Brian Blessed), but also the fact that his mother, Queen Gertrude (Julie Christie), quickly remarried his uncle Claudius (Derek Jacobi), who assumes the throne as the new King of Denmark. One night, Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father, who reveals Claudius murdered him. Hamlet endeavors to expose this treachery, by pretending to be mad, and avenge his father's death. Claudius struggles to not only keep Hamlet at bay, but the armies of Norway's Prince Fortinbras (Rufus Sewell) as well. Hamlet has endured for centuries because Shakespeare created a fascinating, suspenseful plot filled compelling characters and brilliant dialogue.
Branagh delivers a very engaging rendition due in part because he takes advantage of the film medium to pay homage to epics of the 1950s and '60s. He and his production team regularly fill the increased frame size with marvelous images. The scene when Claudius announces his marriage to Gertrude is a prime example. Everyone is decked out in magnificent and colorful costumes, except for the mourning Hamlet dressed all in black. White petals fall like snowflakes, showering the new King and Queen as they make their way through the hall. Also, rather than have the actors standing around reciting lines, as if he was simply recording the play, he incorporates flashbacks and shows events taking place elsewhere as the actors speak.
The British actors all give very good performances. Branagh, who does triple duty on the film, does such a good job as Hamlet acting mad that I began to question whether the character himself was always acting because of his intensity. Jacobi excels playing the many moods of Claudius from schemer to sniveler. Kate Winslet's Ophelia commands sympathy as her storyline unfolds.
The Americans stumble and are the major flaw in the production. One of the best actors ever, Jack Lemmon (Marcellus) sounds very unnatural speaking Shakespeare, so it's no surprise to learn this is his first time. On the commentary track, Branagh thinks critics treated him unfairly, but I regrettably disagree. Billy Crystal (First Gravedigger) sticks out because of his New York accent. He's an interesting choice because the role is light, but it also didn’t work. Robin Williams (Osric) handles the language but plays his character effeminate, which is distracting. Keeping the Yanks from completely striking out, Charlton Heston is awesome as the Player King in one of his finest performances. He brings immense gravity and power to the role, proving the adage "There are no small parts only small actors."
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Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
I watched this in the theater when it came out. I remember three things: I liked it. It was crazy long. The people in front of me laughed maniacally when Hamlet died.
2 - El Bicho
I saw the four-hour version in LA, but they had a brief intermission as does the Blu-ray. They created a 2.5 hour version for smaller markets. I went with a gal I liked, but don't think I saw her again.
People laughed when Hamlet died? Must not have been sober.
Thanks for stopping by.
3 - Mat Brewster
I think they were laughing at the bombasity of it all. It was a bit over the top but I figure with a four hour long version of Hamlet, his death needs to be a bit over the top.