Whether or not that is actually true is certainly up for debate, but the majority of people think it or at least assume other who know better think it. So it stands to reason that any fully intact, unabridged, mostly faithful adaptation (the setting has been moved to the 19th century) would be considered the greatest version ever made since, after all, Hamlet is routinely referred to as the greatest play ever written. Any two-and-a-half hour long film is nothing to sneeze at but consider that even the legendary Olivier’s definitive (to date) adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy still runs nearly an hour-and-a-half shorter than Branagh. That version has a running time of 155 minutes. In this way, Branagh’s version diverges from a tradition which met its apex in 1949 when a version also starring the director became the first-and so far, only-Shakespeare adaptation to win the Best Picture Oscar. That is nearly twice as long which means, naturally, that Zeffirelli followed in the tradition of previous directors in making judicious edits in the story including the elimination of characters and the excision of entire scenes and subplots.

By contrast, Branagh’s film rolls in at 242 minutes in the full uncut version. Six years earlier Franco Zeffirelli directed the version starring Mel Gibson which was released with a running time of 134 minutes. At the same time, however, it is also what puts a dent in the critical appreciation of that achievement. Just that alone makes Branagh’s film a cinematic achievement of renown.

Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is justifiably famous and admired for being the very first attempt-not to mention successful attempt-to put on screen every last scene and every single one of the more than 30,000 words of dialogue conjured by the Bard. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

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