Kenneth Branagh's HAMLET -- the ultimate, merged, when-oh-when thread (1 Viewer)

[JohnTRU]

Wow. I'm not so much a big 'Blade Runner' fan, so for me this is the DVD I'd buy if I could only buy one this year. Kudos to Warners (although not for the excrutiating wait )

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I'm just wondering: Hamlet '90 is listed at the beginning of the press release, but nowhere else. If this is in there as well, that just sweetens the pot, as it is an excellent adaptation in its own right.

 

[oscar_merkx]

awesome

 

[TheLongshot]

Quote:

So, I'm guessing that it is just a movie trailer.
Jason

 

[scottS]

I can't believe I made my annual check of this thread and see Hamlet for AUGUST 14! Is that great news or what!
scott s.
.

 

[oscar_merkx]

Totally

 

[Paul McElligott]

I can't believe I made my annual check of this thread and see Hamlet for AUGUST 14! Is that great news or what!

Yes, it's great but an official Blu-Ray or HD-DVD announcement would be even better!

 

[Robert Holloway]

Yes, it's great but an official Blu-Ray or HD-DVD announcement would be even better!

It's been repeatedly stated that HD versions are coming out. I'm not sure why Warners have not formally announnced it. Anyone any ideas?
Rob

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Depends on what features they want include in the HD versions. If IME is going to be in there, they may be waiting on BD-J before announcing HD versions.

 

[kevin_y]

So still no announcement for HD and BD??

I'm getting the tingling sensation that Warner is going to make us buy the SD, then double dip us with the HD and BD editions.

This is what the computer industry used to call the FUD factor -- apply fear, uncertainty, and doubt to end users to so they will spend money on the latest product just to alleviate those negative feelings...

FEAR that if you don't buy the SD you will just wait and wait while others enjoy their discs.

UNCERTAINTY and DOUBT about the actual release date of the HD/BD, which may be months, years away...

All negative thoughts will be alleviated by purchasing the SD.

 

[Robert Holloway]

Sad news

According to the Digital Bits, Warner has postponed the HD discs until they better understand demand.

Disppointing for sure. But I'm so happy to be able to watch the DVD anyway. I no longer buy discs so the double dip thing is irrelevent.

Rob

 

[Steve Schaffer]

Warner has in the past released several classic titles to HD DVD with very disappointing sales results, most of these never saw BD releases perhaps because the BD installed base is perceived as being skewed younger due to the fact that the PS3 is by far the best selling BD player.

I applaud Warner for their courage in the past in trying to provide good HD discs of classic films like Casablanca and Robin Hood (1938) but can understand their reluctance to jump in with HD versions of Hamlet.

Eventually, when the installed base of HD players is high enough we will see Warner and others again dip into the vaults for HD releases.

I know there will be a market eventually. I recently saw a nicely dressed lady in her late-50s early 60s searching the BD section at CC for anything other than the usual popcorn extravaganzas and about all she'd come up with was The Queen and Volver.

 

[JulianK]

If anyone in the UK is wondering what's happened to the UK DVD version, wonder no more: it's been given to HMV as an exclusive.

 

[Simon Howson]

Were the HD versions available for pre-order? I've always wondered if the studios monitor how many pre-orders they are getting for a title, and determine from that how many to manufacturer, or if pre-orders are really poor, cancel the release.

 

[RossMan]

Just a heads up...

Borders will have an exclusive edition of Hamlet that includes a 28 page booklet.

 

[Aaron Silverman]

I'm curious as to whether the eventual HD edition(s) will include the extras.

 

[Matt Czyz]

First review up (I think).

 

[David_B_K]

I received the Shakespeare Box Set in the mail from DDD yesterday (I'd hoped it would be slim cases, but it's not). The reviewer is in error about one of the special features. To Be on Camera: A History with Hamlet is not a history of Hamlet on film, but rather, the "making of" documentary for Branagh's Hamlet. Maybe Branagh wanted to avoid getting into a comparison contest with other actors/filmmakers on the subject?
All in all, I'd say it is not loaded with special features, but there are ample, IMO. The commentary track is quite useful, as Branagh has both stage and screen experience with the Bard, so he is a fount of information.
I have to disagree with the reviewer's assessment of the American actors in the cast. Heston was good as the First Player, but he has a background in Shakespeare, and excels in playing pompous and dignified characters. I thought Jack Lemmon was awful, and Crystal and Williams only adequate. That's just my 2¢.
Now I wish that Branagh's Henry V would get a similar treatment. The documentary that was on the laserdisc and 5.1 sound would be a good start.

 

[Robert Holloway]

Today is a happy day. After years of waiting and posting and asking we can finally enjoy this masterwork on DVD

I got my email from Netflix, it's in the mail - cannot wait to return from my vacation from a wet and windy UK to reacquaint myself with Ken and his happy band.

Guess I need to change my signature

Rob

 

[Steve Schaffer]

Made a special trip to Rasputin to get this title. PQ is amazing--running upconverted by a PS3 to a Sony 60A2000 this is as close to HD as any SD disc I've seen. Those holding out for HD DVD or BD should go ahead and get this if they have one of the HD players with really good upconversion, it's really very impressive. I was a bit apprehensive as most recent Warner SD releases have looked sub-par upconverted lately, but this one is really very nice looking.