Coming to UK in January 2005:

http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page...0277&p=57&g=72

Sendit.com have now added this message to the HAMLET listing: Please note: this is a DVD release of the 1969 cinema adaptation of Hamlet and not the 1996 Kenneth Branagh version.

I was withholding my suspicions... and my order... that's not a bad version, but it's not the RIGHT version. :) I'm glad I waited for confirmation.

Um... looks like the Branaugh version here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...Fencoding=UTF8

That's one seriously messed-up page. A VHS picture of one Hamlet, when everything else is referring to a DVD version of another Hamlet--execpt the actor's list, which mixes both versions.

I hope this film gets released one of these days. I actually have the widescreen VHS of this (I could never watch this movie in full screen), and I would buy any DVD of this (even if it was barest of the bare bones) in a second. Great film, and not only the best version of Hamlet but probably the best film ever based on a work by Shakespeare.

I can't believe this isn't even out in the UK yet. I wait, I wait, and I wait, yet nothing. This is one of my top 5 most wanted DVDs, and for the life of me can't see why I don't have it yet. Meh.

I enjoy this version of the play and will buy it, but I also prefer Gibson's version even if it is truncated. It's grungier, less polished, Gibson is superb and more naturalistic and it doesnt have Billy Fucking Crystal and other worthless cameos mucking it up. And I prefer Helena Bonham Carter's Ophelia, especially when she goes nuts.

I love this version of Hamlet. I hope this comes out soon.

I've been waiting for this movie to come out on DVD for a long time. While a few of the scenes were painfully overdone (the ghost scene and the middle-of-the-play monologue and the throwing of the sword near the end), overall I thought it was an excellent presentation of the play. Some of the long, sweeping camera cuts were just gorgeous, and I totally dug the art design. It was a wearying experience to see it in the theater, but worth it.

Man, I need to get this as soon as it gets out. I'd love to show it to my English class, when I start teaching.

I think Billy Fucking Crystal was the one cameo who did a good job. The screwups were Jack Fucking Lemmon and Robin Fucking Williams. Usually fine actors but they didn't have a clue what they were doing here.

Nevertheless, I think Branagh's Hamlet is a great film and far superior to Gibson's.

I have the laserdisc to hold me until the DVD finally comes out.

According to Kenbranagh.com, Warner Bros. has announced that they are currently working on a 10th Anniversary special edition of the film for release in 2006.

Very cool - yet so far away. Hopefully will be 2 discs like they have been putting out.

About a year ago, I e-mailed what's his face over at Criterion and begged him to stalk Warner Brothers to let them release this. :lol:

now that's a great news!

I can't wait for Branagh's version.

Please members of the forum give consideration to this title when it comes out.

From http://www.ruscico.com/about_eng.php


Hamlet (1964)

Description:

A screen adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy. The somber Elsinore Castle that keeps secrets of many a crime is looming over the rocky coastline. Prince Hamlet once again puts the question: “To be, or not to be?” He is the first thinker in the line of warriors, a poet and a philosopher, a character so close to future generations. In the utterly corrupted kingdom, a lone hero is bound to take up arms to avenge his father’s death. This film became a champion among Lenfilm Studio’s prize-winning motion pictures – 23 awards in four years. The musical score was written by the great Russian composer Dmitry Shostakovich.

Awards:
Special Prize at the Venice IFF, 1964; Special Jury Prize at the San Sebastian IFF, 1965; Prize at the San Francisco IFF, 1966; Prize of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), 1966

Studio:
Lenfilm

Year of Release:
1964

Director:
Grigory Kozintsev

Script:
Grigory Kozintsev

Camera:
Jonas Gritsus

Music by:
Dmitry Shostakovich

Cast:
Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Mikhail Nazvanov, Elsa Radzinya, Yuri Tolubeyev, Anastasia Vertinskaya, Vadim Medvedev, Vladimir Erenberg, Stepan Oleksenko, Igor Dmitriev, Grigory Gai, Reino Aren

Running time:
70+70 min.

Color:
b/w

Format:
16:9

Collection:
Original Story by

Release:
coming soon

Date of DVD Release:
I quarter 2005

Languages:
Russian (mono)
DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1:Russian,English (voice-over),French (voice-over)

Subtitles:
Russian,English,German,French,Spanish,Italian

Special Freatures:
Interviews with director G. Kozintsev and actor I. Smoktunovsky; Documentaries: «Making of…», «I. Smoktunovsky awarded by the Lenin Award»; Text material «W. Shakespeare»; Sketches of production design; Photo Albums; Filmographies



http://www.ruscico.com/pic2/1106738972(big).gif



Regards.

Any further news on the development of a 10th anniversary edition for next year? I'd love to have this on DVD. Don't even care about extras, just give me stunning transfer and audio track and I'm good.

I second that. Not so concerned about the extras as I am a good transfer and audio treatment.

Mind if I third that? The grapevine is so quiet on this fine, fine movie I am so suprised is not on DVD yet.

Any new news on this front? Perhaps which half of 2006, if that is even still on the table?

das

The webmaster of Kenbranagh.com wrote this in October regarding the DVD release:

UPDATE: Today I spoke with Tamar, Mr. Branagh's assistant, and she has confirmed that Warner is planning to release the film next year. She explained that their contact at Warner is currently engrossed in the upcoming Harry Potter release, but after that project is completed, they will begin work on the Hamlet DVD project. She explained that this works out just fine because Ken is very busy with other projects right now anyway. I think this is tremendous news!

I am not going to throw a "We are finally getting Hamlet on DVD party" just yet, but any news is encouraging. Thanks for posting that.

I almost jumped out of my chair at work this morning. I will remain cautiously optimistic 'til we hear more news.

From thedigitalbits.com Rumor Mill:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html#021606

Brilliant! It never seemed like Ruscico would ever get around to releasing Kozintsev. I also noticed his King Lear up on the site as a 2-disc version. I can't recommend these adaptations enough.