Hamlet (DVD, 1996)

Shakespeare's "Hamlet" directed by Kenneth Branagh

I like Kenneth Branagh’s two-disk version of “Hamlet” a lot. It is the only way I know of to see the whole of Shakespeare’s most famous play. It runs for well over four hours, where stage versions and other movie versions usually cut bits out to make it around three hours. Not only does Branagh show us the whole play, but he plays the lead character, Hamlet. Branagh is one of the finest living Shakespeare actors and directors. If you want to see Shakespeare’s masterpiece expertly done and in full, this is the one to see.

Also, of course, being on DVD means you can take a break when you want to. Read full review

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Would have been great if not for skips.

I got this dvd from NetFlix but there were so many glitches where it would stop indefinitely and then jump ahead minutes away. That's why I bought it, but even the brand new one has the same problems. I don't know if it's the production of the DVD or what, but I'm very disappointed.

I saw this film many years ago without these issues. Might have been in a movie theater. It began my appreciation for Shakespeare because it made the language so comprehensible. The complaints about its anachronisms was typical blathering by people who can't comprehend the usefulness of artistic license.Read full review

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Too Much Hamlet

This version of Shakespeare's HAMLET was superbly directed and edited. In order to keep a cohesive story for 242 minutes (4 hours), direction and editing must be done by masters! However, four hours of Hamlet is a bit too much Hamlet for today's attention span of audiences—particularly if in the audience there is a high school student, for whom I ordered the DVD. The sets are lavish, the costumes are rich, and the time and setting were conveniently updated; that all works in favor of the film. I'm not too sure about the choice of some cast members, but the ensemble works in the end. It is my impression, judging from my godchild's viewing experience (and my own, even), that the subtitles have to be ON all the time. We resorted to subtitles mostly because the dialogs are so heavy (true to the original) as well as because the nature of the accents. I do not find this to be the situation with Zeffirelli's HAMLET with M. Gibson and G. Close, which is understandable to American ears most of the time. If for no other reason, it's a good DVD to have in one's collection for comparison purposes and to justify making popcorn to last for hours and hours.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: seattlegoodwill...

It was the name of the play. The main character is Hamlet

This film was the first time that I truly understood the play. Kenneth Branagh was a bit over the top, but was very instructive in his presentation and direction. He should be congratulated on achieving his goal of making Shakespeare understandable to the masses. It was fun seeing the various famous American comedy actors playing some of the smaller parts.Read full review

Branaugh's Hamlet

Brangh's Hamlet_of course is brilliant and a must for any Shakespeare fans. Visuals are colorful and speech is clear. Bonus features are nice on this production. Kenneth Branagh really cares about his art, his actors and his audience.Read full review

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Noteworthy movie production, but unfortunately both bad discs.

Sorry, this set came with both discs damaged and unable to view several sections of the discs.
This is the second identical set that was damaged in the same areas. Discs looked good with no visible scratches.Read full review

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As You (Ought) To Like It

Imagine this: Shakespeare as Shakespeare wrote it! Not psuedo- or kinda-like-Shakespeare, shrink-wrapped into a 120-minute dose of pablum for those whose attention-span is measured in nanoseconds, but a full-length (dare I say verbatim?) presentation of Hamlet. This is a double brandy and two cigar afternoon's return to the Elizabethan era, and a bargain at twice the price.Read full review

Hamlet speaks for himself, and carries along this stunning cast of characters.

Absolutely amazing. It's so typical that only the abridged versions were ever filmed, so this is a treasure. We even get to see Fortinbras well played.

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Great adaptation of Hamlet

Saw this as a high school student and it was one of few Shakespeare adaptations that was clear, engaging, and well acted.

wonderful

Great version. IMO even better than the 1948 Laurence Olivier classic.

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: decluttr_store