Hamlet

[zenina]

Feb 9, 2011 18:07:13 GMT anyother said:

Thanks Zenina, but can you please tell me what happened to my HAIR?

I'm afraid I can't Rufus - but someone clearly had not your and our best interest in mind for that exact shot. ;D

[annachibi]

You guys are hilarious!

[rufluvr]

Rufus plays his small role of Fortinbras with his usual subtlety and power. For me, however, I thought my favorite actress Kate Winslet stole the show with her incredible Ophelia. ;D
Are the only dvd's of Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet available now of the 2007 edition--the one with the making of featurette and director's commentary, right? If there is more than one version available, I would think it worth it to kick in some extra $ for the two-disc. (Or was this the first ever to come out? Can't recall)
In the past I had felt Branagh's performance as Hamlet was a bit too haughty and overwrought--but that may have been his intention. I've come to understand his portrayal of Hamlet much better after I read that he is an Oxfordian. If true, I can see how his consideration of the (possibly) true main author of the Shakespeare works, an ego-centric Earl who's mother married shortly after his father's death and who lost much of his fortune to his "guardian" appointed by Queen Elizabeth could color Branagh's performance. I would like to see the featurette and director's commentary to see if he speaks to that, though many actors who share the same suspicions about the authorship question are understandably reluctant to speak of it in public.

[annachibi]

The 2007 DVD has the special features and two discs. That's the version I got from my library. I didn't actually listen to much of the commentary, since I think I've seen some of it on youtube before.

[zenina]

Watched this version of Hamlet for the first time last friday. I have the two disc edition and from what I gather, that version is longer than the actual theatrical version.

First of all - I was pleased to see Rufus early on and then 2 or 3 times more through the film. I think the part in between where we meet Fortinbras on the march to Denmark is usually left out - at least I can't remember seeing that scene in the Hamlet stage production at the NT I saw back in February.
Anyway - visually stunning film. Rufus was as usual excellent even in this small part.
Kenneth Branagh did a wonderful Hamlet, Kate Winslet's Ophelia was heartbreaking. I loved the short appearances of actors like Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams and Charlton Heston. Loved Billy Crystal as the gravedigger.

(I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but the current version at the National Theatre with Rory Kinnear as Hamlet beats this - but again that is live theatre which IMHO beats film always and Rory Kinnear is just fantastic as Hamlet)

[nell]

I finally watched the rest of this at weekend. I'm not a fan of Shakespeare so my review is on the basis of a Rufus fan and not Hamlet afficionado.

The Good :

Great cinematography and the sets and Blenheim Palace came across really well. Superb costumes and a grand big production feel to the whole thing. This was obviously Kenneths life ambition and he achieved it and seems very pleased with himself (I'm a great believer that if you really want something that much you should go for it !) The incredible cast line up also deserve a mention here and of course the Rufus bits were the only real reason I stuck with it.

The Bad:

Too wordy for me. Would have much preferred a Shakepeare Retold modern version of this. The dialogue got on my nerves a bit and I had to concentrate to understand what they were talking about, such was the talking in riddles. I know the whole point was to recreate the whole thing and include the whole play - but maybe there's a good reason why some of it is normally left out. So, way too long. I had to watch this in 3 separate stages.

The Ugly:

Very self indulgent on the part of Kenneth I felt. Over acting, so it's a stage play but when it's transferred to film I think it could have been played down a bit in certain areas. Ophelia's madness was like no mad person I've ever seen and I've met a few and the carrying off of the dead Hamlet - Oh for Gods sake ! I think Rufus could teach them all a few lessons here with his subtlety, timing and making it real.

[jo]

I love Shakespeare, so I've seen many different versions of Hamlet. Personally, I thought this one was terrible - a self-indulgent mess by Branagh, four hours of tedium and overacting. The only worse adaptation of Shakespeare is Julie Taymor's Titus. I loved Branagh's Henry V, which was perfect and truly a definitive version, and I really enjoyed Dead Again. But his Hamlet is awful! Even Mel Gibson's version was better. For me, Richard Burton's performance was the best. (It's on Youtube if you want to take a look and compare.) Rufus is excellent as Fortinbras, but it's a tiny role and you have to wait right up to the end for it.

[adina]

"Go, Captain, from me greet the Danish king.
Tell him that, by his licence, Fortinbras
Craves the conveyance of a promised march
Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous.
If that his majesty would aught with us,
We shall express our duty in his eye,
And let him know so."


The movie can be watched on Youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAGVlYQj-go&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8-RTXLHhEM&feature=relmfu

[voiceover]

Buy from Play.com all Rufus work available there both new and second hand . Best site use it in preference to all others. quick response and free delivery esp on books.
remember - PLAY.COM
the company is based in channel isles.

[kygal]

Thanks for the info Voiceover. My mom has to read by books on tape so I will check that site out.

[kissmekate]

Oh, that's great to hear! Thanks, voiceover.

[kernowsqueen]

Apr 5, 2011 6:25:37 GMT nell said:

I finally watched the rest of this at weekend. I'm not a fan of Shakespeare so my review is on the basis of a Rufus fan and not Hamlet afficionado.

The Good :

Great cinematography and the sets and Blenheim Palace came across really well. Superb costumes and a grand big production feel to the whole thing. This was obviously Kenneths life ambition and he achieved it and seems very pleased with himself (I'm a great believer that if you really want something that much you should go for it !) The incredible cast line up also deserve a mention here and of course the Rufus bits were the only real reason I stuck with it.

The Ugly:

Very self indulgent on the part of Kenneth I felt. Over acting, so it's a stage play but when it's transferred to film I think it could have been played down a bit in certain areas. Ophelia's madness was like no mad person I've ever seen and I've met a few and the carrying off of the dead Hamlet - Oh for Gods sake ! I think Rufus could teach them all a few lessons here with his subtlety, timing and making it real.

I must agree completely with you absolutely dear Nell (please don't starve - Charlie was quite concerned about that - dear )

Once again Rufus is Fortinbras while everyone else seems to be making an effort ...

I really have to say that I watched this one only for RS.

Ken darling - you are SO not a blond!
Please... just put the hair dye down sweetie!

LOL

kq

[kernowsqueen]

I had a Fortinbras dream last night...The famous Ken as Hamlet fleeing to England via Poland (?) scene (long overwrought green screen scene as KB mutters on and on AND ON ...)... In my dream Fortinbras is wandering behind Hamlet on his horse, back and forth, checking his pocket watch ...then as Hamlet gets to the climactic "My thoughts be bloody, bold or none at all..." our darling RS said brilliantly "None at all." and stabs him! ;D

Then..."Right - who's got the sandwiches then?"

HeHeHe

[anglophile]

can i be in your next dream,please?