Kenneth-Branagh Movie Reviews

It is a history of an important period of human experience. The series is well made. Many important events are shown from different view points. If we can all learn from this important period of time, we may be able to minimize loss of lives due to military conflicts and political confrontations.

Although I saw it happen on television and observed many of the changes while in the Soviet Union, the fall of the communist block still astonishes me. Without question, it is the greatest single change in human history that occurred without vast bloodshed. As late as the mid 1980's no one could have conceived of a scenario where the iron curtain would be penetrated with almost no loss of life.
That amazement was revisited as I watched this series of tapes and relived events such as the Hungarian uprising in 1956, the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the Warsaw pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, the crushing of the Polish Solidarity movement in the early 1980's and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1980. The constant tension and mutual fear of annihilation just seemed to be a permanent fact of existence. That is all gone and although it is of necessity rather brief, these tapes tell the essence of how it happened.
Simply put, you cannot begin to argue that you understand the twentieth century without knowing the details of the cold war between the two giant ideological rivals. No one in the United States or Russia should be allowed to graduate from high school without first watching this tape. It is absolutely riveting, reassuring and terrifying at the same time.

I did not hesitate when purchasing this title and everyone around me did enjoy watching all the 8 tapes continuously. I really would recommend to get this title while it is still available! The recent history of the world has been decided by the two super powers and the decisive role was played by the USA and if anyone still doubts it, he/she should watch this fabulously made movie. ....

A very interesting and entertaining look into some of the greatest composers of our time. I just discovered the genius inherit in many of these men, and surprisingly through movies. The Arthurian movie Excalibur had a tremendous Wagner score, I believe the search for the Holy Grail piece, and this lead me to Bach--which lead me to this series through research. Of course I was already familiar with Beethoven and Mozart but more in depth information on their music and life was enjoyable.

What this program has successfully done is blend both their music and their lives into coherent and understandable show. Success is almost guaranteed though, as any program that combines the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and Puccini would have to blunder greatly to achieve failure. Though I would not recommend this for true beginners in classical music who know very little about any of the men, as this is aimed more at the intermediate classical enthusiast. Knowing a little bit about each man's music and possibly life before watching them would be recommended.

This has to be by far the best, most professionally produced video series on composers today. Kenneth Branaugh's voice-over is a delight and adds to the dramatic scope of the production. Kudos to the BBC!

One of the special highlights is a scene showing the "surgical operation" on Beethoven's 200-year old hair by a modern physician. On-location shooting in Germany and Vienna complete with re-enactments (all too rare in most Classical Composer vids) makes for exciting pacing. Truly deserves repeated viewing. Another great hallmark is the impassioned choreography of camera with music playing -- who says Classical Music is dull!? You also get plenty of interviews with noted scholars and pre-eminent conductors -- some of them sadly already departed, like Sir George Solti. For those -- like me -- who've never had the opportunity to actually hear some of their favorite conductors speak, this set is a revelation!

I've viewed the Beethoven one alone some 5 times. Admittedly, I taped these episodes -- sans the Bach -- when it aired on PBS about a year ago, but am seriously considering purchasing the whole set for better quality and the inclusion of the Bach video. It's that Good!

I've sampled Hans Conrad Fischer's "Life of Anton Bruckner" and Biography's "Beethoven" video, but none can compare to the production value on this set. For any lover or new-comer to Classical Music, this set is a MUST. Absolutely recommend it.

If you have been to the Greek islands, see this movie to remember. If you have never visited Greece, see this movie and pack your bags. Freedom and richness of life, gentle olive-scented breezes, long sunrises and slow sunsets prolong twilight, easy flowing clothes of deep rich colors for both sexes -- don't look for polyester or packaged bread.

This film is a funny and wonderful look at life, tourism, and love. Seaside Greece is photographed in all it's splendor and no doubt will have you looking at travel brochures the day after watching this delightful film. A fine cast works magic as they interact in a place where inhibitions fall away like water over a cliff.

Jacqueline Bisset is terrific as the photographer of the coffee table book "The Light of Greece" which isn't selling well enough to keep she and her daughter Chloe (Ruby Baker) afloat. A pot she was given as a gift by long time friend Patrick (James Fox) may help cure all her financial troubles, but then again, it may not. The easy going Patrick has some secrets that are only revealed when Rick (a young Kenneth Branagh) and his sweet and long suffering wife Carol (Lesley Manville) come to this little Greek tourist spot.

This film is filled with humor and joy and has a really special mood of Greek music and sensual beauty. Irene Papas gives a very funny performance as Penelope. She talks of her dead husband as though he were a hero during the war but acually fell off a cliff while dancing! Penelope hates tourists and steals nail polish from all the women who come there. Her hilarious hatred of the tourists brings her into conflict with her son Yani (Paris Tselios) who not only wants to make a buck but wants to put up a statue of "The Unknown Tourist"!

The statue is sculpted by Katherine's estranged husband who she amiably argues with throughout the film. There are some hilarious moments in this film including a scene with Yani's mother Penelope dressed like Pancho Villa as she "raids" the unveiling of the statue. Even the serious moments about spys (yep, that's what I said) are handled with warmth and humor in this very unique film.

This film is easy to watch and makes you want to live life to the fullest. Some of the scenery will take your breath away and Bisset is marvelous. Everyone is for that matter and so is this film. Director Clare Peploe (Rough Magic) has crafted something to be proud of here. This is a little known film I ran across by accident and what a happy accident it was. You need to check this one out. The shots of Bisset and Branagh on a beautiful midnight swim are gorgeous, as is Bisset.

This film really may be "The Light of Greece". It's a joy...

The release of the movie "Jurassic Park" renewed the spark of interest in dinosaurs, and spawned several inferior copycats, documentaries, and two sequels of lesser quality. "Walking with Dinosaurs" is one of these spin-offs into the world of dino movies and documentaries. However, "Dinosaurs" is exceptionally different from many of its cousins, and one only needs to watch it to realize why it was cable's highest rated program.

As was probably the case with many Americans, my first experience with this series was on the Discovery Channel. I taped the series when it next came on, but less than a month later, I bought the VHS set (this was before I had a DVD player). After watching what is essentially the original version of the series on VHS, I was left to wonder why I had wasted my time and a tape on the Discovery version!

The original version of "Walking with Dinosaurs" has scenes that were cut out of the Discovery version due to time and gore. The narration by Kenneth Branagh is top-notch, and it's clear he's working with a superior script compared to what Avery Brooks has to work with. This is best exemplified by the introduction to "Cruel Sea", where Branagh's narration leads us to believe that the dinosaur we are viewing is the "top" predator, giving us no clue he is speaking about a creature that is essentially "Jaws on steriods". I especially like how the writers handled the extinction of the dinosaurs - very convincing.

The animation for this series is excellent, portraying the animals in the Mesozoic world as real creatures. The only flaw in the series is the animatronic puppetry - there were only a few instances that I felt like I wasn't looking at a rubber puppet, and truthfully, that wasn't often. Other than that, it was like watching a National Geographic special or Wild Kingdom.

I also would like to recommend the two followups to this series - "The Ballad of Big Al", or "Allosaurus" as its more commonly referred, and "Walking with Prehistoric Beasts". If you can, get the DVDs. I sincerely hope that the creators will soon do a series on the amphibians and reptiles that appeared before the dinosaurs. I'll withhold comment on the upcoming "Walking with Cavemen".

We got this video set for my dinosaur enthusiast, three year old son for Christmas and it is a BIG hit ...with the whole family! Even my senior father watched the videos and loved them; I just bought one for him for his birthday.

From the beginning, Walking with Dinosaurs keeps you
gripped with excitment and trying to imagine what it
must have been like living and sharing space with
Dinosaurs. And then you are swepted away with the life
of one particular Dinosaur, namely "Allosaurus". You
watch him from the infant stage until his fossils were
discovered and try and trace back with scientific explanations
on what may have happened to the Powerful Allosaurus.

Excellent graphics, animation and story line.

Anne Frank Remembered's greatest strength is in it's interviews. From Otto Frank (a interview conducted in 1976) to Miep Gies this documentary really brings Anne Frank from a name, face and diary to an actual person. The video also shows some great history and background, and many more interviews; her cousin Bernd, people who knew both her and Otto in various concentration camps. And also her friend Hanneli Goslar (nicknamed Lies at school) and a brief meeting (the one and only I think) between Fritz Pfeffer's (Albert Dussel in the diary) son and Miep Gies. This video does feature the only know moving footage of Anne herself, I learned about that by reading the other reviews here. An excellent documentary, but it is best to have at least read her diary first, and also good to have a bit of general knowledge about everyone involved(helpers and resident's of the Secret Annex), and maybe what they looked like in the '40's because some of them are featured in this documentary.

Ever since I read The Diary of Anne Frank as a child I have always wanted to know about the girl behind the book, and Anne Frank Remembered is perfect for that purpose. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, with selected readings from Anne's diary by Glenn Close, this video paints a haunting, heartbreaking portrait of one of Hitler's most famous victims through the personal reminiscences of her surviving friends as well as others who survived the Nazi death camps. There are excerpts from interviews with the late Otto Frank, Anne's father, as well as interviews with Miep Gies (the woman who supplied the Secret Annex as well as keeping it and its occupants hidden from the SS), Hanneli Goslar (Anne's friend), and Peter Pfeffer (son of dentist Fritz Pfeffer, who was also in the Secret Annex), among many others. They all paint a picture of a young girl who was just on the brink of womanhood when she died, and who had a lot of hope for the future. Anne was the typical obnoxious youngster, and yet when one listens to the words of Miep Gies and others who knew her well, their words combine with the images on the video to show that Anne was so much more than what she seemed to be on the surface--forced by circumstance to grow up before her time, but at the same time able to retain that youthful hope.

Watch the video by itself, or read The Diary of Anne Frank and then watch the video--Anne Frank Remembered will stick in your mind for a long time.

This real world, real people edition of Anne's life, and her impact upon the world is impeccable. I cannot top the other reviewers descriptions, they cover it all so very well, except to add that if anyone is dedicated to keeping the holocaust alive in history, and has any dedication to the ShoahFoundation, then yes by all means, get this documentary. It was wonderful to see Anne's childhood friends in this, who knew her, and to hear Miep speak of those days and all they endured. This was real, not any Hollywood contrived script. As an avid collector of realistic documentaries of history, this one is one of the very best.

I had never heard of this movie (or the novels on which it was based) before running across it in my local video store, but fortunately (no pun intended) it provided two solid evenings of entertainment. While populated by unlikely characters who at times border on caricatures and keep turning up under even more unlikely circumstances, its strength is in the depiction of Mr. and Mrs. Pringle and the evolution of their relationship under the pressures of WWII.

Branagh is perfect for most of the film as the charismatic and socially promiscuous Guy, of whom one aquaintance jokes, "Two men met in a bar. They didn't know each other, but they both knew Guy Pringle." However, his portrayal becomes a bit shaky once the unflappable Brit Lit professor is finally forced to face the prospect of his greatest conceivable loss.

Thompson is simply excellent as the more reserved Harriet, who finds to her dismay that her husband not only preaches socialism and the love of mankind but also lives it, with the result that he has little time or attention left over for her. He assures her when confronted that he loves her, but it appears to Harriet and the audience that what he loves is her unflagging willingness to understand and accomodate him. Happily, by the end we all appreciate Harriet's other qualities: her humor, spirit, courage, and compassion.

Rupert Graves also stands out as the eager young soldier living in the shadow of his elder brother. The scene in which Guy first visits him in the hospital following a devastating injury is probably my favorite in the film.

This is a wonderful story of a complex relationship that evolves agianst some very impressive backdrops (including the Great Pyramids), set in the first days of the Second World War.

The story begins with Guy Pringle returning to a teaching post in Bucharest with his new wife in tow. Harriet is an optimistic character but being in strange places and unable to affect the amicable but distanced relationship with her husband, makes life for her far more difficult. Her attention is almost always upon her husband while Guy's attention is focussed upon his world and everyone in it. The Fascism that slowly creeps into their previously neutral corner of Europe does not help the Pringles' domestic stresses as Guy becomes increasingly inspired to do what he can to promote democracy, in Roumania, in Greece, in Egypt.

This adaption of the books by Olivia Manning is wonderful and its length is a great advantage as the viewer is drawn into the plot and circumstances. It is an account of the war that could not have been told in an hour and thanks to the beautiful photography and subtle portrayals of Manning's chracters, it makes a wonderful historical companion while telling a captivating story.

I have watched Fortunes of War a score of times. I just can't seem to get enough of the characters and they live on in my imagination long after viewing has ended. I have recommended this film successfully to a broad variety of friends, who have all loved it as well. It has appeal on many levels, the music, the scenery (Romania, Greece, Egypt) and outstanding dramatic work by the principals. I find this work haunts me and I have seen different aspects of it upon repeated viewing--once focusing completely on Guy Pringle, the next time taking a closer look at Harriet's character, and so on. It really is wonderful.

Since the age of 12 (I'm in my 30's now), I have tried to absorb everything Shakespeare. Even though I have trepidations about film adaptations of the Bard's work, I had to see this film based on the prodigious talent of Emma Thompson. I'm glad I gave into my gut instinct, for her portrayal of Beatrice is so natural and glorious, you will actually get swept away with her performance and believe that she actually IS Beatrice!

Most of the supporting cast is also wonderful. Hats off to the performances by Denzel Washington (Don Pedro), Richard Briers (Seigneur Leonato), Brian Blessed (Seigneur Antonio), Michael Keaton (Constable Dogberry), and a absolutely stunning performance by Kate Beckinsale (Hero). The exceptions in the casting are Keanu Reeves (Don John), Robert Sean Leonard (Claudio) and...yes...Kenneth Brannagh (Benedick). Fortunately Reeves' role is small. Leonard's performance seems too contrived, to the point of distraction. And even though this is Brannagh's baby, Brannagh himself portrays the role of Benedick with a smugness that is a bit nauseating. If you read the play, Benedick is not smug at all. Though I enjoy Brannagh's other work, he seems to use Shakespeare as a way to show superiority. I have seen this in other actors, and find such action reprehensible. Shakespeare wrote plays for people to enjoy and to indugle in escapism...not to give people an excuse to be a snob.

Having said that, this film is very enjoyable, and I've actually had friends become Shakespeare addicts after seeing this particular film. I, personally, particularly love the Tuscan locations, and the costuming is wonderful! No over-the-top lacey outfits in this film, but rather those that would be suited to the climate. This adds another depth of reality that pulls you into the story.

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, or any of the aforementioned actors, this movie is a must-see. It's actually one of the very few film versions of a Shakespeare play that I own. This particular interpretation allows the viewer to become comfortable with Shakespeare's style, thus creating an interest in his other work. Well worth the purchase. And yes, it's VERY funny!

Branagh again shows his brilliance as the premier Shakespearean adaptation director of our time. He uses an imaginative cast and some dreamily beautiful scenery and music to create a movie that is light hearted, funny and escapist (which is a good thing is these dark times). Denzel is wonderful as the lovingly charming and self-assured Prince Don Pedro. Quite frankly I never suspected he could do Shakespeare so easily and sexily.
Branagh is not quite as good an actor as he is directing, but his witty and quick tempered Benedick has the right contrast of insecurity and aplomb. In my book though, he will never top his portrayal of Henry V. I've always had a huge crush on Emma Thompson and her performance here is nothing short of amazing; direct, passionate (I loved the teary scene after Hero's unwarranted disgrace, funny and wishful. I hardly know Robert Sean Leonard but I thought his naive and boyish portrayal of Claudio was quite appropriate to the role. He didn't steal scenes from Washington or Branagh but I think he was true to the play. Despite what many would say, I was pleasantly surprised by Keanu Reeves as the evil plotting Don John. He definitely looked the roguish part and his delivery is meant to show the limitations of the character (not that of the actor) as Shakespeare wrote the role. My only disappontment was that of Michael Keaton as the Constable Dogberry. I didn't appreciate his attempt at Beetlejuice humor and I thought a Geoffery Rush here would have done much better justice to this humorous and juicy role. Moreover, he kept jumbling his words so I could hardly understand what he was saying. The rest of the supporting cast were quite good especially Kate Beckinsale (Hero). This movie and it's DVD version is a must see classic for all Shakespeare fans.

Kenneth Branagh is, undoubtedly, my favorite Shakespeare actor and director. He casts based on talent rather than popularity and his choices really pay off. His own roles are instilled with a vibrant energy and life not often seen in film.

This screen adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy takes us on a light-hearted adventure of match-making and deceit. Branagh plays Benedick, a soldier in the company of Don Pedro of Aragon and a "professed tyrant" to the female sex who swears he will die a bachelor. Emma Thompson, then Branagh's wife, plays Beatrice, a free-spirited female version of Benedick. The two are engaged in a "merry war" of wits, and constantly offend one another. Their friends, however, see them as the perfect couple and endeavour to bring them together against their own wills.

The second love story is that of Claudio, another favored soldier of prince Don Pedro, played by Robert Sean Leonard, and Hero, a career-starting role for actress Kate Beckinsale. Theirs is a case of love at first sight, and they soon become engaged to be married. Don John, the prince's outcast brother, however, will do anything to destroy the happiness of one of Don Pedro's favored men. He and his henchmen enter into a plot to break up the engagement.

Don Pedro is played by Denzel Washington, and the role highlights his amazing versatility and talent as an actor. This is definitely one of his best performances. It is also refreshing to see a movie where the good brother is played by a person of color and the bad brother, Don John (Keanu Reeves) is white. Branagh made an excellent casting choice and both characters shine.

Comic relief is provided by an outstanding performance of Michael Keaton as Dogberry, the local sheriff who's more than a little off his rocker, but harmlessly entertaining. Delightful performances are also given by Richard Briers as Leonato, Brian Blessed as Antonio, and Richard Clifford as Conrade.

With great acting, verbal and physical comedy, and a wonderful musical score, this film is a definite must-see for any fan of Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh. A truly delightful movie!

Since the age of 12 (I'm in my 30's now), I have tried to absorb everything Shakespeare. Even though I have trepidations about film adaptations of the Bard's work, I had to see this film based on the prodigious talent of Emma Thompson. I'm glad I gave into my gut instinct, for her portrayal of Beatrice is so natural and glorious, you will actually get swept away with her performance and believe that she actually IS Beatrice!

Most of the supporting cast is also wonderful. Hats off to the performances by Denzel Washington (Don Pedro), Richard Briers (Seigneur Leonato), Brian Blessed (Seigneur Antonio), Michael Keaton (Constable Dogberry), and a absolutely stunning performance by Kate Beckinsale (Hero). The exceptions in the casting are Keanu Reeves (Don John), Robert Sean Leonard (Claudio) and...yes...Kenneth Brannagh (Benedick). Fortunately Reeves' role is small. Leonard's performance seems too contrived, to the point of distraction. And even though this is Brannagh's baby, Brannagh himself portrays the role of Benedick with a smugness that is a bit nauseating. If you read the play, Benedick is not smug at all. Though I enjoy Brannagh's other work, he seems to use Shakespeare as a way to show superiority. I have seen this in other actors, and find such action reprehensible. Shakespeare wrote plays for people to enjoy and to indugle in escapism...not to give people an excuse to be a snob.

Having said that, this film is very enjoyable, and I've actually had friends become Shakespeare addicts after seeing this particular film. I, personally, particularly love the Tuscan locations, and the costuming is wonderful! No over-the-top lacey outfits in this film, but rather those that would be suited to the climate. This adds another depth of reality that pulls you into the story.

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, or any of the aforementioned actors, this movie is a must-see. It's actually one of the very few film versions of a Shakespeare play that I own. This particular interpretation allows the viewer to become comfortable with Shakespeare's style, thus creating an interest in his other work. Well worth the purchase. And yes, it's VERY funny!

Branagh again shows his brilliance as the premier Shakespearean adaptation director of our time. He uses an imaginative cast and some dreamily beautiful scenery and music to create a movie that is light hearted, funny and escapist (which is a good thing is these dark times). Denzel is wonderful as the lovingly charming and self-assured Prince Don Pedro. Quite frankly I never suspected he could do Shakespeare so easily and sexily.
Branagh is not quite as good an actor as he is directing, but his witty and quick tempered Benedick has the right contrast of insecurity and aplomb. In my book though, he will never top his portrayal of Henry V. I've always had a huge crush on Emma Thompson and her performance here is nothing short of amazing; direct, passionate (I loved the teary scene after Hero's unwarranted disgrace, funny and wishful. I hardly know Robert Sean Leonard but I thought his naive and boyish portrayal of Claudio was quite appropriate to the role. He didn't steal scenes from Washington or Branagh but I think he was true to the play. Despite what many would say, I was pleasantly surprised by Keanu Reeves as the evil plotting Don John. He definitely looked the roguish part and his delivery is meant to show the limitations of the character (not that of the actor) as Shakespeare wrote the role. My only disappontment was that of Michael Keaton as the Constable Dogberry. I didn't appreciate his attempt at Beetlejuice humor and I thought a Geoffery Rush here would have done much better justice to this humorous and juicy role. Moreover, he kept jumbling his words so I could hardly understand what he was saying. The rest of the supporting cast were quite good especially Kate Beckinsale (Hero). This movie and it's DVD version is a must see classic for all Shakespeare fans.

Kenneth Branagh is, undoubtedly, my favorite Shakespeare actor and director. He casts based on talent rather than popularity and his choices really pay off. His own roles are instilled with a vibrant energy and life not often seen in film.

This screen adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy takes us on a light-hearted adventure of match-making and deceit. Branagh plays Benedick, a soldier in the company of Don Pedro of Aragon and a "professed tyrant" to the female sex who swears he will die a bachelor. Emma Thompson, then Branagh's wife, plays Beatrice, a free-spirited female version of Benedick. The two are engaged in a "merry war" of wits, and constantly offend one another. Their friends, however, see them as the perfect couple and endeavour to bring them together against their own wills.

The second love story is that of Claudio, another favored soldier of prince Don Pedro, played by Robert Sean Leonard, and Hero, a career-starting role for actress Kate Beckinsale. Theirs is a case of love at first sight, and they soon become engaged to be married. Don John, the prince's outcast brother, however, will do anything to destroy the happiness of one of Don Pedro's favored men. He and his henchmen enter into a plot to break up the engagement.

Don Pedro is played by Denzel Washington, and the role highlights his amazing versatility and talent as an actor. This is definitely one of his best performances. It is also refreshing to see a movie where the good brother is played by a person of color and the bad brother, Don John (Keanu Reeves) is white. Branagh made an excellent casting choice and both characters shine.

Comic relief is provided by an outstanding performance of Michael Keaton as Dogberry, the local sheriff who's more than a little off his rocker, but harmlessly entertaining. Delightful performances are also given by Richard Briers as Leonato, Brian Blessed as Antonio, and Richard Clifford as Conrade.

With great acting, verbal and physical comedy, and a wonderful musical score, this film is a definite must-see for any fan of Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh. A truly delightful movie!

Since the age of 12 (I'm in my 30's now), I have tried to absorb everything Shakespeare. Even though I have trepidations about film adaptations of the Bard's work, I had to see this film based on the prodigious talent of Emma Thompson. I'm glad I gave into my gut instinct, for her portrayal of Beatrice is so natural and glorious, you will actually get swept away with her performance and believe that she actually IS Beatrice!

Most of the supporting cast is also wonderful. Hats off to the performances by Denzel Washington (Don Pedro), Richard Briers (Seigneur Leonato), Brian Blessed (Seigneur Antonio), Michael Keaton (Constable Dogberry), and a absolutely stunning performance by Kate Beckinsale (Hero). The exceptions in the casting are Keanu Reeves (Don John), Robert Sean Leonard (Claudio) and...yes...Kenneth Brannagh (Benedick). Fortunately Reeves' role is small. Leonard's performance seems too contrived, to the point of distraction. And even though this is Brannagh's baby, Brannagh himself portrays the role of Benedick with a smugness that is a bit nauseating. If you read the play, Benedick is not smug at all. Though I enjoy Brannagh's other work, he seems to use Shakespeare as a way to show superiority. I have seen this in other actors, and find such action reprehensible. Shakespeare wrote plays for people to enjoy and to indugle in escapism...not to give people an excuse to be a snob.

Having said that, this film is very enjoyable, and I've actually had friends become Shakespeare addicts after seeing this particular film. I, personally, particularly love the Tuscan locations, and the costuming is wonderful! No over-the-top lacey outfits in this film, but rather those that would be suited to the climate. This adds another depth of reality that pulls you into the story.

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, or any of the aforementioned actors, this movie is a must-see. It's actually one of the very few film versions of a Shakespeare play that I own. This particular interpretation allows the viewer to become comfortable with Shakespeare's style, thus creating an interest in his other work. Well worth the purchase. And yes, it's VERY funny!

Branagh again shows his brilliance as the premier Shakespearean adaptation director of our time. He uses an imaginative cast and some dreamily beautiful scenery and music to create a movie that is light hearted, funny and escapist (which is a good thing is these dark times). Denzel is wonderful as the lovingly charming and self-assured Prince Don Pedro. Quite frankly I never suspected he could do Shakespeare so easily and sexily.
Branagh is not quite as good an actor as he is directing, but his witty and quick tempered Benedick has the right contrast of insecurity and aplomb. In my book though, he will never top his portrayal of Henry V. I've always had a huge crush on Emma Thompson and her performance here is nothing short of amazing; direct, passionate (I loved the teary scene after Hero's unwarranted disgrace, funny and wishful. I hardly know Robert Sean Leonard but I thought his naive and boyish portrayal of Claudio was quite appropriate to the role. He didn't steal scenes from Washington or Branagh but I think he was true to the play. Despite what many would say, I was pleasantly surprised by Keanu Reeves as the evil plotting Don John. He definitely looked the roguish part and his delivery is meant to show the limitations of the character (not that of the actor) as Shakespeare wrote the role. My only disappontment was that of Michael Keaton as the Constable Dogberry. I didn't appreciate his attempt at Beetlejuice humor and I thought a Geoffery Rush here would have done much better justice to this humorous and juicy role. Moreover, he kept jumbling his words so I could hardly understand what he was saying. The rest of the supporting cast were quite good especially Kate Beckinsale (Hero). This movie and it's DVD version is a must see classic for all Shakespeare fans.

Kenneth Branagh is, undoubtedly, my favorite Shakespeare actor and director. He casts based on talent rather than popularity and his choices really pay off. His own roles are instilled with a vibrant energy and life not often seen in film.

This screen adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy takes us on a light-hearted adventure of match-making and deceit. Branagh plays Benedick, a soldier in the company of Don Pedro of Aragon and a "professed tyrant" to the female sex who swears he will die a bachelor. Emma Thompson, then Branagh's wife, plays Beatrice, a free-spirited female version of Benedick. The two are engaged in a "merry war" of wits, and constantly offend one another. Their friends, however, see them as the perfect couple and endeavour to bring them together against their own wills.

The second love story is that of Claudio, another favored soldier of prince Don Pedro, played by Robert Sean Leonard, and Hero, a career-starting role for actress Kate Beckinsale. Theirs is a case of love at first sight, and they soon become engaged to be married. Don John, the prince's outcast brother, however, will do anything to destroy the happiness of one of Don Pedro's favored men. He and his henchmen enter into a plot to break up the engagement.

Don Pedro is played by Denzel Washington, and the role highlights his amazing versatility and talent as an actor. This is definitely one of his best performances. It is also refreshing to see a movie where the good brother is played by a person of color and the bad brother, Don John (Keanu Reeves) is white. Branagh made an excellent casting choice and both characters shine.

Comic relief is provided by an outstanding performance of Michael Keaton as Dogberry, the local sheriff who's more than a little off his rocker, but harmlessly entertaining. Delightful performances are also given by Richard Briers as Leonato, Brian Blessed as Antonio, and Richard Clifford as Conrade.

With great acting, verbal and physical comedy, and a wonderful musical score, this film is a definite must-see for any fan of Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh. A truly delightful movie!