Thursday, August 23, 2007
Quick Review: Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet on DVD
As an entertainment blogger I often get asked for my favorite movie of all time. Truth is I don’t have a set number one choice and even my top 10 remains rather fluid. There are a few titles though that I sometimes mention if someone really puts me on the spot, Touch of Evil, Mullholland Drive, and Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet. The latter of the three has finally come to us on DVD 11 years after its initial release. Branagh’s Hamlet is by far the most beautiful film I’ve ever scene. Every frame bursts with light, depth, color and life. Shot in 70mm film the scope of the staging is breathtaking yet the intimacy found on a small stage comes through in every scene. Of course the script is all right. I think this Shakespeare fellow could be the next Judd Apatow. Seriously though, I find the cliché to be true that this is simply the greatest piece of drama in the history of the English language. Branagh does the bard proud by putting every word from the original play on screen for the first time ever. I think to truly appreciate the work you need the unabridged version on the screen. The star studded cast disappears into their roles with spectacular results (even Billy Crystal and Robin Williams) especially Julie Christie as Gertrude and Derek Jacobi as Claudius. As for Hamlet himself I think Branagh delivers the quintessential Hamlet of my generation. His Hamlet is filled with passion but he’s unfocused just as most 30 year olds are. His madness is correctly played as an act that soon becomes all too real. I myself tend to despise previous incarnations where the prince comes off bratty and self entitled. Here Branagh makes you yearn for his Hamlet to have lived in gentler times as you get glimpses into the wonderful man he would have become had not the madness of his Royal Family engulfed him so. Being that the film hasn’t ever been released on DVD I would’ve been happy with just the film but Branagh and the studio have given us a DVD worth the wait. Most important of all is a restoration of the original 70mm print. Again this is simply the most breathtaking film I’ve ever seen and it demands this crisp clear picture the DVD. An introduction by Branagh acknowledges the internet movement that pushed for this release which is nice tip of the cap. Along with an insightful and entertaining commentary by Branagh and his friend and Shakespeare scholar Russell, there are two making of featurettes both from the time of release and a series of trailers for other Shakespeare films that make you appreciate the stunning work in this film all the more.
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