Much Ado About Nothing (WS/RPKG/DVD)

A delightful romp That could only have been written by William Shakespear with an important lesson about rumor the damage done by slander. The cast is star studded and well acted. The scenery is amazing and the story well adapted to the screen. This version of the Shakespearean classic does honor to the bard with a comic portrayal by Michael Keaton that the actors of old would be in awe of. How could you not fall in love with the love stories of these two couples and take a lesson on the challenge of loving that someone is not as easy as falling off an imaginary horse. This film should be viewed by every High school student when learning about the Great literature of the past and perhaps every couple in love.

Great movie. Lots of period action, romance and humor. Actors the best!

It's been years since I first saw this in the theaters and fell in love with the production. I must have watched the VCR version about 4 more times afterwards. And now I finally have it on DVD! This movie was a turning point of sorts for me--finally, I connected with Shakespeare. Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson's exquisite performances made the words leap off the page and take flight. Despite the intricate prose (albeit with a couple of scenes and lines deleted), the Elizabeathan English made sense to me as it never had before. I was originally surprised to find out such witicisms as "Here comes the Prince and Monsiuer Love" and "There's a double meaning in that" were direct from the play itself, and not anachronistic additions by Branagh. Simply said, this production and Branagh's scintillating direction re-introduced my high school-Shakespeare-weary self to Shakespeare as a comic and dramatic genius. The sparks between Branagh and Thompson's Benedick and Beatrice and powerful and passionate, and Shakepeare's conception of love borne out of the desire not to have one's enemy's love go unrequited--though it is suggested throughout that B&B might have been lovers fallen out of love before the play begins--is hilarious while it is insightful. The scene in the garden where Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato deceive Benedick has me laughing out loud no matter how many times I view the scene. And speaking of Don Pedro, bravo to Branagh for casting Denzel Washington--a risky choice, no doubt, but one that worked out to perfection. I'm so used to seeing Washington as an angry black man in films focusing on either civil rights, hostage crises, or serial killers, that it is delightful to see him here as a magestic, jovial Italian prince--benignly leading the shenanigans. Alas, there are some weaknesses, such as Michael Keaton channeling Beetlejuice into his interpretation of Dogberry, though the malapropisms are hilarious (I would bestow all my tediousness on you!). Similarly, Keanu Reeves as Don John is dull. However, the radiance that is Thompson and Branagh in this gloriously sunlight adaption outweigh that concern. Robert Sean Leonard is fine as Claudio: earnest and gullible to a fault. Kate Beckinsdale is the picture of innocent maidenhood. Also, one plot point that always annoyed me: why didn't Margaret come forward? I suppose it was fear of the consequences to herself, but given such a selfish motivation when Hero's life and honor are at stake makes the easy way in which she is forgiven at the end seem a bit unbelievable, even for an unbelievable play. Ah well, in his comedies, Shakespeare is the king of happy coincidences and useful contrivances. It's a minor point.

I teach high school, and this is one of my favorite films to use for teaching. It just makes this play so very accessible. The acting is solid, the diction. is good. Turn the captions on, and they match well. Even my students who don't speak English very well always understand the plot of this film. Fantastic.

I recently took a course on William Shakespeare's comedies and not being familiar with these plays, thought I would purchase this movie to give me an idea of this story. The film plays very well in color but Technicolor would have been far superior on the DVD played in a Blu-ray player on a 1080 P screen. The scenic beautiful and magical Umbrian countryside would have been far more enhanced in Technicolor. I have not paid attention to Emma Thompson as an actress until recently in her excellent performance in “Saving Mr. Banks.” I felt her performance was outstanding in this film made 20 years ago. Not only is she a beautiful woman, she is an outstanding Shakespearean actor. A surprise to me was Michael Keaton who also rendered an excellent performance. I never thought that he would or could have pulled off such a performance. Finally, I did not realize this film was the debut for Kate Beckinsale which she is not credited on the cover of the DVD. All and all Kenneth Branagh does and excellent job bringing this comedy to the silver screen. This film provided me with an inner appreciation with the course on Shakespeare.

1993's "Much Ado About Nothing" is Kenneth Branagh's superb film rendering of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy. Veteran Shakespeare actors Branagh, Emma Thompson, and Brian Blessed are joined by veteran Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton. The movie features the then-young actors Keanu Reeves, Robert Sean Leondard, and Kate Beckinsale. The movie is set at a sun-drenched and sumptious villa in Tuscany, where all have assembled for the pending wedding of Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) and Hero (Kate Beckinsale). To the pass the time before the wedding, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) sets up a romantic trap for the confirmed bachelor Benedick (Branagh) and his arch nemesis Beatrice (Thompson), who delight in their verbal tormenting of each other. Don Pedro allows the two to believe that each is intent on wooing the other. This deception is the heart of the movie, as through some delightful dialogue and hilarious scenes, Beatrice and Benedick arrive at a new appreciation of each other. The romantic mood is almost spoiled by Don Juan (Keanu Reeves), who seeks to undermine the relationship of Claudio and Hero by suggesting that Hero has been unfaithful. Reeves looks uncomfortable with the material and his wooden performance as the villian shows it. Fortunately, the local sheriff (Michael Keaton), a bumbling, manic barrage of malapropisms, uncovers Don Juan's plot and saves the day. This overlooked movie is highly recommended to fans of Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh's film adaptations of them.

This is one of my favorite movies. I have worn out 3 copies so far.

Buena película

Great film, I studied this in high school, fell in love with it!

Item was exactly as I ordered.

リージョンフリーのDVDプレーヤーでしか再生できませんが、英語と仏語の両方で楽しめて、また内容も出演者陣もとにかく良かったです。

I've always enjoyed this film. I had a tape copy and wanted to replace it with DVD after my VCR damaged the copy I had. Glad to have it in my collection again.