Topic: Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet

[hemisphere]

2/16/06

We've had a lot of people asking about this title lately, so we're very pleased to tell you that Warner is currently hard at work on a long-awaited DVD release of Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. The title is (as yet) unannounced, but we've confirmed directly with the studio that they're working to get the disc on store shelves before the end of 2006.

digitalbits

[barrister]

Malapit na!

(May 20, 2006)  Update! After months of patient waiting, I finally have something to report! The new transfer of the film is nearing completion, but it has taken a very long time both because of its length and the fact that it comes from a 65mm negative. My Warner sources report that the initial transfer was completed last week. The next phase of the project, the removal of dust and scratches during the digital remastering process, should be completed in about 30 days. Once the master is ready for disc authoring, they will schedule a release date. Things are looking good so far! Unfortunately, I don't have any definite news to report on the supplementary materials to be included with the DVD, but Warner did make it a point to tell me that this remastering has been extraordinarily expensive, but worth it. - Mark Cassello

[Mr. Hankey]

Wow! Thanks for the good news.

I've been feeling bad about this title, since my laserdisc fell victim to laser rot before I could transfer it to DVD, and considering how long it was taking for a DVD to be announced, I thought it might never see the light of day.

[barrister]

17 October 2006 update:


Mark Casello says:

Warner Speaks:
Here is the text of an email I just received from Warner Bros. regarding the release of Hamlet. It looks like it is going to be 2007 . . . maybe it will be an HD release then too.

Dear Mark,

"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the many fans of Kenneth Branagh’s HAMLET for the support and patience shown in waiting for the release of this wonderful film to DVD.

We, too, have been most disappointed that we could not have brought this film to DVD sooner. The good news, after a great deal of time, expense and great care, the transfer is complete. We are working on the special content and we do plan on releasing HAMLET in 2007. We are doing all with special attention and good conscience and I’m hopeful all will come to believe it was worth waiting for.

If you wish to post this on the HAMLET site, you have my permission to do so."

Best regards,

Ronnee

Ronnee Sass Vice President - Publicity & Promotion Warner Home Video

[boredfilmmaker]

Finally, a release date!
----------------------------------

PRESS RELEASE

Burbank, Calif. May 7, 2007 – Warner Home Video will debut a four title collection of William Shakespeare’s most famous screen adaptations on August 14. Leading the group of the Bard’s masterworks will be the long-awaited DVD debut of Kenneth’s Branagh’s Hamlet 2- Disc Special Edition, the unforgettable and highly acclaimed full text version of Shakespeare’s powerful tragedy, featuring a magnificent all-star cast. The collection also includes three other famous Shakespeare screen translations, all making their highly-demanded premieres on DVD -- Max Reinhardt’s legendary production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which featured virtually the entire Warner Bros. stable of stars circa 1935, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Othello, and the lavish M-G-M version of Romeo and Juliet starring Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer. Among the galaxy of famous stars in these films are Maggie Smith, James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Mickey Rooney, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal.

The Shakespeare Collection, with all films carefully remastered to showcase their lush production values, includes new commentaries, vintage featurettes and more. The Collection will be available both as a five-disc set for $59.92 SRP, and as individual titles. The Hamlet 2-Disc Special Edition DVD will sell for $26.99 SRP. The individual titles are available for $19.97 SRP each.

Hamlet 2-Disc Special Edition (1996)

In this first-ever full-text film of Shakespeare’s greatest work, nominated for 4 Academy Awards®, the power surges through every scene. The timeless tale of murder, corruption and revenge is reset in an opulent 19th-century world, using sprawling Blenheim Palace as Elsinore with much of the action staged in shimmering mirrored and gold-filled interiors. The luminous cast includes actor/director Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal and Charlton Heston.

The excitement of the Bard’s words and Branagh’s adventurous filmmaking style lift the story from its often shadowy ambience to fully-lit pageantry and rage. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle said, “In the 80 years that works of world literature have been adapted for the screen, few filmmakers have attempted so much and with such success.”

DVD Special Features:
· Introduction by director/star Kenneth Branagh
· Commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Shakespeare scholar Russell Jackson
· New digital transfer from original 70mm elements
· Soundtrack remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1
· Featurette To Be on Camera: A History with Hamlet
· 1996 Cannes Film Festival promo
· Shakespeare movies trailer gallery
Hamlet ’96
Julius Caesar ‘53
Othello ‘65
Othello ‘95
Romeo and Juliet ‘37
A Midsummer Night’s Dream ‘35
Hamlet ’90
· Subtitles: English, French and Spanish subtitles. (feature film only)

[barrister]

Finally!!!

[boredfilmmaker]

Artwork:

[RadicalDude]

It's now available for pre-order from Amazon @ $18.99.

[techdude]

Looks like every other person on Earth is waiting for this title, as it's now #2 on Amazon DVD sales...