Because we are dedicated to honest customer opinions Hamlet (2 Disc Special Edition) (DVD), we have also included Amazon's customer reviews for this item (of which 6 are displayed below). Amazon customers have given Hamlet (2 Disc Special Edition) an average rating of 5.0/5.
Top Amazon Review
Kenneth Branagh's four-hour production of Shakespeare's full text for Hamlet is visually lush (shot in 70mm, which is rarely done) and full of fascinating story moments that normally get cut from shorter stage versions. (Your idea of what kind of fellow Polonius is may change quite a bit.) The unexpurgated approach is truly enlightening, and Branagh intermittently succeeds at giving familiar moments in the drama an original cinematic spin, including Hamlet's spooky confrontation with his father's ghost (Brian Blessed). (Branagh also imposes some Hollywood glitter on the proceedings by casting the likes of Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Charlton Heston and Jack Lemmon in the smaller parts.) The pre-Titanic Kate Winslet is very good as the doomed Ophelia, and Derek Jacobi delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance as Claudius, whose character is definitely filled out by the restored material. Branagh's own performance is a little revisionist--some viewers have quibbled with it while others seem fine.
Customer Review 1
PERFECTION. This is without a doubt, the greatest, most heartbreaking, opulent and involving adaptation of Hamlet that will ever, ever, ever be in existence. We have seen 3 versions in our Shakespeare-obsessional career, and this is absolutely and by far the best. You just cannot compare this to anything else. It's our favourite film in the whole wide world. Kenneth Branagh delivers his lines with subtlety, genuine emotion and real understanding, which is key. He is our favourite actor in the world due to this film alone! Don't let the length put you off, you won't want it to end even after 4 hours. It is a joy to watch!
Customer Review 2
This movie is Hamlet. This is a Shakespeare play about the prince of Denmark and tragedy surrounding the family. Many people want to say the prince Hamlet is indecision yet he outmaneuvers just about everyone and has depth of vision. Now watch as Hamlet discovers who killed the king, his father, and how he attempts to get his revenge.
The only negative thing I could think of this Kenneth Branagh interpretation is the costume period is not what I was brought up on in the other versions and books. Jack Lemmon was sort of a distraction.
Now that being said, I never knew how good Hamlet could be until I saw the Kenneth Branagh version. For some reason I never noticed the missing dialog in the other versions until I was treated to the complete dialog in this version. The filled in parts give the story more meaning. Everyone else, even Hamlet (1948) with Laurence Olivier seems like the Readers digest version. I do not think you want to hear comparisons and contrasts of acting styles; so I will just say this film changed what would have been a nice story to actually feel that you are there.
Take caution before purchasing/downloading any rendition of Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet as there are some edited versions that may not be complete.
Customer Review 3
Perfect. The first complete unabridged version of Hamlet to be filmed, this film is an essential part of anyones DVD collection, and was certainly worth the 10 year+ wait for the DVD release. It has a stellar cast... Kate Winslet's Opehelia is brilliant and Richard Briers is perfectly cast as Polonius. In fact, all the central characters are performed brilliantly. It is also good fun to spot the big names playing smaller roles, including a tiny cameo from Dame Judi of Dench. The cinematography is stunning, and the scene in the hall of mirrors is great.
Of course the fact that this is the greatest play written by Shakespeare helps, but when it is interpreted by someone such as Branagh who has an instinctive understanding of how to make Shakespeare's language accessible and instantly understandable it takes it to a whole new level. This is the definitive film version of Hamlet, unlikely to be bettered.
Customer Review 4
Murder, Madness and Revenge Writ Large - Brilliant!. The is the best version of 'Hamlet' on DVD. Kenneth Branagh (also directing) is brilliant as the Prince and the whole production is sumptuously filmed in 70mm. It's a stellar cast and the whole play is brought alive gloriously and unforgettably. Richard Briers, Derek Jacobi, Charlton Heston and Kate Winslet all give superb performances. Don't be put off by the length of the production (around 4 hours) because this is so good that time simply flies by. You are drawn into the action and Branagh's genius is to make the play accessible to all. He has done the Bard a wonderful service with this film and it's great to see this released on DVD at last. I can't recommend this highly enough - even if Shakespeare is not really your thing, you will love this. It's a great film of a great play.
Customer Review 5
A Hit, A Very Palpable Hit!. Four hours of rhyming couplets is not everyone's idea of a fun Friday night in, but in truth you could watch this with the sound turned fully off and still be moved by its beauty and emotional punch.
Yes, it's a masterpiece - both Shakespeare's and Branagh's. Yes, it has an astonishing cast. Yes, the set design and cinematography are stunning and hauntingly memorable, but at the end of the day it's simply a great film of a great story told very well and acted in the most accessible and wonderful way.
