Hamlet

Title: Hamlet
Year: 1996
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Writer: William Shakespeare, adapted by Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Richard Briers, Julie Christie, Nicholas Farrell, Derek Jacobi, Michael Maloney, Kate Winslet
Music: Patrick Doyle
Distinctions: Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Score, Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Best Costume Design
Length: 242 minutes
Synopsis: a prince discovers that his uncle killed his father
How I saw it: on video (rented from Netflix), June 2008
Subjective Rating: 7/10 (Good).
Objective Rating: 7/10 (points off for pacing, special effects/design and music) c. 3.2/4 (Very good).

I probably couldn't have followed it if I hadn't just read the play. But I did, so it was great. I don't see how you need to put a swelling score under all the monologues, though. And as long as it has to be four hours long anyway, might as well go for five and not rush things. The special effects/design couldn't have been better for the most part, but there is the little matter of the ghost. And its completely sucking. But overall it's a good movie: one of the best stories ever written, with a great cast.