William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)

fabulous! especially watch and listen to Branagh discussing the movie!
This movie has clarified so much about the play that i recommend it for first time Hamlet viewers,

When this movie was released in 1996 it was a feast for the eyes. Branagh's Shakespeare adaptations are usually delightful and Hamlet is no exception. Rather than set in medieval Denmark, he brings the setting to Victorian times, complete with muskets and a train. Visually this film is hard to beat as the interiors of Elsinore--while built on a sound stage--are stunning. The depth of the original play is not lost in this version, and the all-star cameo cast (including Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal, Charlton Heston and Robin Williams) is a pleasure beside the main cast of Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Richard Briers and Branagh himself.

Ignore the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet and watch this one instead; you will see the difference immediately.

This was my favorite movie in English in high school and I really wanted to watch it again to refreash my memory for a class assignment. This Hamlet is the closest one to the real play and for some reason the way they act it out, it just makes more sence then to crack open my book again. I'm tempted to get "Much Ado About Nothing" also because I forgot how well Kenneth Branagh acts when he's doing Shakespeare. We'll find out soon, won't we?

Forget about Shakespeare, iambic pentameter and all the things that made Hamlet a drag in high school--this is a great movie because it touches every level of the human condition. Every English speaking person should own this production of the most famous play ever written. The performances are wonderful and the production level is second to none. Branagh has given us all a great gift--this is a must own DVD.

It finally arrived and I finally wrote my review. I am crazy about this film; the first film adaptation of the entire play. It is imaginatively done and transferred to DVD well. The extras are entertaining, but sometimes overwhelming. Still, this film is a masterpiece and if you are a fan of Shakespeare, get thee to the website and purchase this. You will be glad you did.