Recall that for Shakespeare-the ultimate actor's playwright who wrote with precious few stage directions-interpretation was left to the direction and the actors, an open invitation that Branagh rightly accepts.

Branagh has not condensed the acts like some mass market soup, as was done in Olivier's 1948 Oscar-winning production, or in, say, Zeffirelli's 1989 Hamlet lite starring Mel Gibson (both excellent, though, within their scope), but has kept every word while directing our understanding so that even those only casually familiar with the play might follow the intent and purpose with discernment. Part of the genius of Branagh's interpretation of Hamlet is in the use of the techniques of the cinema to enhance the production. Reviewed by DeeNine-2 10 /10 Not to be missed