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Hamlet can be fun!

© Susan Keeping

An often overlooked film of Kenneth Branagh's is "In the Bleak Midwinter", known in the US as "A Midwinter's Tale." Branagh directed and wrote the film but did not appear in it. The stars of the film were Richard Briers, Joan Collins, Michael Maloney, and other English actors well known to English television and film audiences.

I first saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1995 where it was very well received.

The film, shot in black and white, is about an out-of-work actor who decides to put on a production of "Hamlet" over the Christmas holidays. He borrows money from his agent and decides to mount the play in an old church in his home town, called Hope. He hires six actors to play all the parts in the play. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are played by the same actor.

This is a very funny, well written film. I found myself laughing out loud many times. It is a film that will be especially appreciated by those who work in or have worked in the theatre. However, I can guarantee that no matter what field you are in, you will find the film humourous. Most of the performances are over-the-top, but since most of them are not supposed to be very successful or particularly good actors, they are perfect in this film. The scenes when Michael Maloney's character is interviewing actors is especially entertaining. One of those auditioning uses hand puppets to act out some scenes from Macbeth.

This film is available on video and has been on television a couple of times, at least it has in Canada. If you get the chance, please see this film. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Related sites:

The IMDb page about In the Bleak Midwinter

The official page from Sony Pictures

The Yahoo! information page on the film

Another review of the film

Another review, includes a picture from the film