Hamlet

This is called theater. Kenneth Branagh approached "Hamlet" theatrically, but still with film grandeur. Acting-wise, it is interesting and especially the performance of Hamlet himself is truly beautiful, setting aside his fate, which in itself is not as beautiful. Acting masters and lesser-known faces show that theater works excellently in film as well. There are not many similar films. (02/03/2015)

I use the term "masterpiece" sparingly, but here I simply have to use it. Kenneth Branagh has made an absolutely riveting spectacle out of a Shakespeare play that I always found disgustingly long-winded. The four hours didn't flow by, but I was glad for that - it was an impressively directed and acted four hours. The cast, the ease and naturalness with which they all delivered the original text without seeming out of place! Admirable. And of course Patrick Doyle's music deserves to be highlighted. Please, film distributors, finally release the remaining Branagh Shakespeare films! (15/11/2012)

Hamlet + Kenneth Brannagh + tons of great actors. That couldn't have gone wrong. But at the same time, I think it could have gone better. The backdrop of the 19th century just doesn't work for me, and during some monologues I can't help feeling that what Branagh did so well – the obvious reshaping of Shakespeare's language into the language of the film – sounds herein kind of rigid, exhibitionist. But I still enjoyed the story. How else... (25/01/2004)

I've been looking forward to Branagh's Hamlet ever since it came on TV. Today, I don't feel that the wait for this was worth it. Branagh's version has its own ideas, and the all-star team recites the famous verses as best they can, but the whole thing is an experimental fake that lacks depth. (27/02/2020)