Plot Details: This opinion reveals no details about the movie's plot.

Many phrases from Hamlet (like the title of this review) have acquired a life of their own, and become so ingrained in the shared memory of Western culture that we seem to have received the ability to recognise them almost in mother's milk - who does not feel at least some sense of familiarity with the famous lines: "There are more things on heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy" or "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't"?

Being a fan of Shakespeare's plays, I eagerly went to see Kenneth Branagh's version soon after it was released in theatres. What really appealed to me, and what raised my expectations was the fact that Branach's version was uncut - it was the play in it's entirety, just the way Shakespeare intended it, in an impressive four hour spectacle.

The movie theatre actually held a fifteen minute half-time break, which I gratefully welcomed on behalf of my numb backside. (The movie was apparently too long for the major movie theatres, so I had to go to a smaller, less commercial place. Unfortunately, their seats were apparently designed for the sole purpose of butt-torture.)

While some may consider four hours of Shakespeare a form of cruel and unusual punishment, for me it was pure joy. Despite the seats.


The cast and performances

Branagh has put together an impressive cast - even minor parts seem to be taken by major names; Jack Lemmon making an appearance as one of the guards that alert Hamlet to the wandering king's ghost, Robin Williams brilliantly playing the part of a rather clumsy royal messenger, and Billy Crystal as the wise-cracking grave digger, just to name a few.

When I read Shakespeare's plays, I have a habit of "casting" the play in my head - of associating the names with the faces of actors in my mind. That really helps bring the text to life. Besides, the freedom of picking the actors and actresses without any budget concerns is quite appealing...

After having seen Branagh's version, the cast of the play in my head has been altered to accommodate many of Branagh's choices - Branagh himself is Hamlet, and I can no longer think of the witty gravedigger without seeing the face of Billy Crystal.

Kate Winslet is cast as Ophelia, and her performance is quite brilliant. (However, here I have to say that for me, Helena Bonham Carter still lends her face as the "real" Ophelia...)

Other notable performances include Derek Jakobi's impressive portrayal of Claudius, and Charlton Heston's memorable contribution as the leader of the group of actors invited to cheer Hamlet up.


The setting

I'd say that time-wise Branagh's Hamlet falls somewhere into the late 18th century (the place being, of course, Denmark) - the architecture of the palace, and the costumes clearly imply a more modern time than Hamlet is traditionally set in. Still it works brilliantly, most probably better than if Branagh had opted for dark Gothic courts. The palace is gilded and glamorous, as are the dresses of the ladies of the court. The movie is quite pleasing to the eye.


The flaws

The movie was not completely without flaws - I found a few scenes a bit over-dramatised. Also, where special effects were used, I found them a bit... corny. Enough so to make me hesitate between four or five stars for the movie. However, though not completely flawless, Branagh's version is a true gem, and for me the "true" Hamlet. Fortunately the opportunities for using special effects in Shakespeare are very few, and the flaws get overshadowed by the other merits of the film.


Overall impression

I left the movie theatre with a smile on my face and my mind dwelling on the beautiful poetic lines from Hamlet, so well delivered. Some moths later, on a whim, I ended up buying the film on video, which must tell something of how I was infatuated with the movie - after all, I don't even own the equipment to watch my lone video, which now occupies my book-shelf, inconspicuously blending in with the literature... :-)


Recommended: Yes

Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Special Effects: Well at least you can't see the strings