Hamlet (1996)

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi

Synopsis:
The prince of Denmark visited by the specter of his slain father devotes himself to vengeance.

Impressions:
I've seen several film adaptations of Hamlet and I've wanted to see this one for a while, both because of Kenneth Branagh's reputation as an actor and director and because this is a rare adaptation that is very near unabridged. This is an opulent production, with lavish sets and costuming, going for more of a 19th Century setting. The performances tend to be rather hammy and of course the hammiest of them all is Branagh himself, but that's its own form of entertainment (and it does make the more subtle performances stand out). It feels weird seeing American comedic actors like Jack Lemon, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams doing Shakespeare, but these are small among the film's little quirks and charms. Speaking of Americans in this mostly British production, I've seen Charlton Heston do Shakespeare before in the 1970 version of Julius Caesar, and it's a bit stunning to see him acting the heck out of the comparative bit part of the Player King (though he also does a bit of narration after the intermission). At four hours for the full version, it's not a commitment to take lightly, but if you're a fan of Hamlet, Branagh or both, it's worth a watch.

Rating:
Watch It