Hamlet

Even though I am a student of English, I don't feel particularly well versed in Shakespeare. I don't quite have the basis for comparison when it comes to comparing one Shakespeare adaptation with another. I will venture to say, though, that what is original about Branagh's Hamlet must be that it is unabridged. Simply everything is included, which is interesting enough when you only know the story in abridged versions. Certain scenes that are usually left out do make the film a little heavier, though. For the first hour I found it very hard to get swept along, but gradually I was captured by the film's universe.

The action has been updated to the first half of the century before last, which frees the film from a gloomy medieval atmosphere and gives Branagh the opportunity to create some bright, magnificent crowd scenes. The production design is really well thought out, so the film is also a visually splendid experience.

The cast teems with stars; even the smallest supporting role is filled by a star. In certain cases this seems superfluous, as some of the great British character actors barely get to say a line. Derek Jacobi deserves special mention, however, as the regicide and fratricide Claudius, who becomes a rather more richly faceted character than one is used to seeing.

Four hours is a terribly long time to watch a film, but better that than to see the abridged version that is being distributed in all the smaller provincial towns.