jambalayaval Nobody does Shakespeare better than Kenneth Branagh, and this time, he's taken it to a whole new level. Putting together one of the Bard's best works with no money in a cold, damp church at Christmas may sound like a greater tragedy than the play itself. The frustrated actor/director, the cast composed of a band of merry misfits, Joan Collins playing an agent (!) and the god-awful ideas for unique sets and costumes only add to the already engaging tale of passion and deception that is Hamlet. You can't take it too seriously. But the script is intelligently funny, the experienced cast hits their marks, and even those who don't like Shakespeared will be entertained. It's a comedy, it's a mystery, it's a classic...all rolled into one.

gclane I love British film, comedy, theatre and probably because of the intellectual content. It isn't mindless. I watched this with my family and we were all alternatively laughing, crying, laughing. The best bit is the machine gun. Trust me!The video cover had publicity stills in colour. It was a bit worrisome when it presented in glorious black and white. But you get used to it very quickly.My daughter hunted out the video, bought it and it is regularly viewed. The performances are very, very good. Especially Richard Briers, Michael Maloney and Julia Swahala. Jennifer Saunders grates and grates and grates.Watch this film and enjoy.

alan_kearns When this film was televised in the UK as the US 'A Midwinters Tale' version, the very affecting scene in which Julia Sawalha explains why she does nothing about her shortsightedness, was cut.In case this was made by the producers rather than the broadcaster, and for anyone did not get to see this scene: Her reason was that living in a world where everything was blurred, made it easier to cope with the grief of losing her husband - when he was killed, she could not bear the starkness and clarity of the world she found herself in.

Jakob Olesen Grossly underrated movie, showcasing some of the best performances of an excellent cast. Shows beyond a doubt that B/W movies are not passé. Kenneth Branagh is smoking as the director of this movie about a group of has been/never will be actors, putting on Hamlet during christmas in a church, that has clearly seen better days. The movie is a great piece of evidence, that CG has not replaced proficient acting, and hopefully never will (hint to independence day)