Kenneth Branagh's HAMLET -- the ultimate, merged, when-oh-when thread - Page 2

I've been waiting for this one on DVD. It's on my top 10 most wanted list.

Been waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

This was put out on Laser Disk. I almost bought it and a laser disk player (which I have never owned) just to have this one movie. Questions about when it's going to show up on DVD have been ongoing on many DVD forums since the advent of DVDs. No one has a definitive answer as of yet.

You would think that it would eventually show up on DVD. It's the only full version of Hamlet ever filmed, it's got well known actors, a beautiful production, and most of Branagh's other films have made it to DVD. I saw it in the theater and it was wonderful.

This is at the top of my must-own list, alongside the Three Colors and Star Wars trilogies. I don't know what the hold-up is, but I wish they'd get a move on.

Branagh's Hamlet is among my most wanted DVDs. I wish Warner hurry it up, without sacrificing quality, of course.

I particularly want this title after my Laserdisc rotted to the point of being unplayable.

To be or not to be? That is the question.

Will we ever get this outstanding movie? PRETTY PLEASE: A SPECIAL EDITION!!!

A wee bit of an extra question - does anyone know of an on-line list or link of "Shakespeare on DVD"?

I was lucky the other day to find Richard III (McKellen) on sale.

TIA

Warner seems hellbent on NEVER releasing this Hamlet, Wyatt Earp or Once Upon a Time in America.

IMDb lists:

Castle Rock Entertainment [us]
Columbia Pictures Corporation [us]
Fishmonger Films
Turner Pictures [us]

It is castle rock. When released to theaters and VHS it was distributed by Columbia. Now WB distributes castle rock product.

A special edition would be nice, but I'd settle for a good-looking, good-sounding movie-only disc.

Saw this in 70 mm last fall, and was reminded how great it is. It's a shame it never really found an audience.

Or a good-looking, good-sounding pair of movie-only discs as it's over 4 hours long!

I'll tell you what audience it should find: high school students. Branagh's Hamlet is almost the perfect substitute for the Shakespeare text.

Adam, when I was in High School, this version, along with the Sir Olivier version was required viewing. To make things even better, for some reason, my school (small city too) owned a 70mm print of it. I can't tell you how many times I saw it on our big screen (which, again for some reason, my school had).

cheers!

Josh

Shakespeare wrote these as PLAYS not sonnets. Meant to be seen AND heard

Therefore it's even BETTER than the text

This would be a definite buy for me as well should Warner release it. I was fortunate enough to see it at a theater in Abilene after it had been out a while (but still during it's initial release). It was only a 35mm print, but it was still impressive.

Add me to the list of the people wanting to see this film on DVD. I still remember the New Yorker cartoon that showed a movie theater with Branagh's Hamlet on the marquee and "two hour parking" on the meters outside the theater. (As was the case where I saw it in DC!)

I'd like to see Mel Gibson's Hamlet on DVD, too, so that I can dump my P&S videotape. I like Gibson's performance better, and I like Branagh's completeness. Give me both.

My wife would love to have a DVD of this film as well; add her to the list of "ooo-ooo-ooo-Iwantthis" people!

My favorite things about this particular version of Hamlet are 1) Derek Jacobi (who is an amazing, brilliant Claudius, in my estimation), 2) Julie Christie, 3) Kate Winslet, and 4) the production design. I also find the completeness novel and rather satisfying.

I'm not a Mel Gibson fan at all, but I don't think his Hamlet is bad -- I just can't get past the typical dark, dank castle setting. I might buy it anyway, though -- I like Glenn Close as Gertrude.

Yes, I guess two discs would be necessary in light of the length. I'd still be cool with movie-only. And (as should go without saying), widescreen is ESSENTIAL for this film. I shudder at the thought of it in pan-n-scan. Yuch.

I've only seen this film once (fortunately in 70mm) and I'd also buy this in a heartbeat. Among its great moments, I think Branaugh's staging of Hamlet soliloquy against the mirrors was a master stroke.

-greg

This is one of my DVD Holy Grails. Hopefully, it'll come out soon.

Every now and then, I kick myself for not buying the laser disc back in the day. I bought very few (rented mostly), but this is one to have. (Although I think there are problems with the LD.) I remember what a great experience the theatrical presentation was (and going across the street during the intermission for a burger and shake).

I also remember FOX-TV broadcast a P&S version of this one Thanksgiving.

Where oh where is the dvd?