Young Fortinbras...gives this warlike volley

**Martok** · 09-07-2007, 00:45

Originally Posted by King Jan III Sobieski

Speaking of Hamlet, I love Kenneth Branagh's version. Does anyone else have any feelings about his literary license of taking it from the 12th century to the 19th century? I personally have no qualms about it since I think it was so well produced; just wondering if anyone else had feelings on this?

I don't mind at all. But then, I'm an unabashed fan of all of Branagh's Shakespeare film adaptations -- he has a knack for bringing the Bard's works to life like no one else. Much Ado About Nothing is my personal favorite, but I also have Hamlet (which is a close second for me), Othello, and Henry V.

**King Jan III Sobieski** · 09-07-2007, 16:53

Originally Posted by Martok

I don't mind at all. But then, I'm an unabashed fan of all of Branagh's Shakespeare film adaptations -- he has a knack for bringing the Bard's works to life like no one else. Much Ado About Nothing is my personal favorite, but I also have Hamlet (which is a close second for me), Othello, and Henry V.

I agree; I also like Henry V and I had seen Much Ado About Nothing in bits and pieces on TV in the past, but I finally bought it and began watching it yesterday; it's good, too. Branagh's a great actor - and his skill seems magnified when he enacts Shakespeare.

**Beirut** · 09-07-2007, 20:52

Henry V

Far and away my favorite. All sorts of wonderful insights into the human condition in that play. I can't imagine how many times I've read it. Finally got my hands on the DVD movie from Amazon just last winter. Great play. Never get tired of it.

**Geoffrey S** · 09-07-2007, 21:24

It says enough about Shakespeare that so many people have different favourite plays. There really is something for everyone, which makes him truly timeless.

**King Jan III Sobieski** · 09-10-2007, 03:27

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

It says enough about Shakespeare that so many people have different favourite plays. There really is something for everyone, which makes him truly timeless.

Egg-zactly. I just watched Much Ado and I thought it was great; I guess I have to get out the old Shakespeare compilation and read it...

**ajaxfetish** · 09-12-2007, 01:41

Othello's definitely my favorite (and at the risk of sounding repetitive, I really like the Branagh version). I mostly love the play for the character of Iago, who I consider the ultimate Shakespeare villain. His ability to manipulate others is peerless, and he has virtually everyone in the story trusting him and only him by the end. I respect his wicked competence tremendously. The casting of a dark-skinned man in the role of the tragic hero and a white guy as the villain as far back as the 17th century is also very interesting to me.

Ajax

**King Jan III Sobieski** · 09-12-2007, 03:52

Originally Posted by ajaxfetish

Othello's definitely my favorite (and at the risk of sounding repetitive, I really like the Branagh version). I mostly love the play for the character of Iago, who I consider the ultimate Shakespeare villain. His ability to manipulate others is peerless, and he has virtually everyone in the story trusting him and only him by the end. I respect his wicked competence tremendously. The casting of a dark-skinned man in the role of the tragic hero and a white guy as the villain as far back as the 17th century is also very interesting to me.

Ajax

Seeing Branagh play the villain, as opposed to the hero (or tragic hero, as 'twas in Hamlet) was great. I haven't seen Othello in a few years.

off topic: Just today I was doing some research on royal genealogy and came across Duncan I. and Macbeth...makes me want to read/watch Macbeth now.