Kenneth Branagh's version

[Rosencrantz]

Without doubt one of the greatest film adaptations of a Shakespeare, this film blew my mind. It was passionate, and really expressed all the multi-layered themes in Shakespeare's writing. Still, I'm open to debate, so anyone disagree with me?

[manolia]

Henry the V, eh? So far the best Shakespeare adaptation for me too. I am so glad that i have bought the dvd. It so enriches my collection! Anyway i have heard that the older film on Henry V (1944 i think, or something like that) is as good or perhaps even better. I'm sorry i don't disagree:D

[Lioness_Heart]

Of Hamlet do you mean?

If so then yes. I loved it. I thought that it was a really good interpretation, which brought out a lot of the play's complexities. The only problem that I thought it had was that it was in many ways too Hollywood - like when Hamlet is talking about Fortinbras in his soliloquy, with the snow all around, and the dramatic music... quite a lot of our English class started laughing at this point, as it was really melodramatic. The ending, with the chandalier, was a bit too much too... it was good in conveying the passion, but I thought that it lost some of Shakespeare's subtlety there.

But yes, in most respects, an amazing film. The very end was good too, with the invasion of Fortinbras's army. The best film version of Hamlet that I've seen.

[manolia]

Oops..Hamlet? That was nice too. Again i agree:lol: I like Branagh very much so it is hard to dislike one of his movies:D

[Walter]

Anyone here with opinions about Sir Laurence Olivier's Hamlet or Henry V? Anyone seen them?
Branagh's Henry V was no doubt magnificent, but haven't seen Hamlet.

Not disagreeing, or agreeing; just wondering if someone can offer a comparison.

[Rosencrantz]

Er yeah, sorry I should have been more specific. I thought seeing as it was on the Hamlet forum I could have got away with it. My bad. I loved Much Ado as well, but I've not seen Henry V. I'm not that familiar with the Histories in general. Are they any good?