Kenneth Branagh's 1993 production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is a vigorous and imaginative work, cheerful and accessible for everyone. Largely the story of Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson)--adversaries who come to believe each is trying to woo the other--the film veers from arched wit to ironic romps, and the two leads don't mind looking a little silly at times. But the plot is also layered with darker matters that concern the ease with which men and women fall into mutual distrust. Branagh has rounded up a mixed cast of stage vets and Hollywood stars, among the latter Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton, the latter playing a rather seedy, Beetlejuice-like version of Dogberry, king of malapropisms.--Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Great play, great film, terrible DVD Flicking through my recommendations on Amazon today I came across this. Well I bought it when it first came out on DVD so thought I would add my voice to those other reviews about the quality. I won't say to much about the film. For me it was very, very enjoyable. Well acted (a pleasure to see so many British stars mixed with those from across the pond), well directed (the scene where Beatrice and Benedict are 'captured' by the trap is superb), with good music and wonderful scenery. Such a shame then... more info
Superb Film - Rotten DVD The Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson version of 'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of the happiest and most charming films I have ever seen (despite the tense bit in the middle and the tedious nature of the bard's original story).
This DVD is let down -so- badly by the rough and ready transfer, which has the following problems:
1) This is 1.4ish:1 and not widescreen as it says on the packaging (the original film -was- widescreen)
2) The colour in the original film was wonderful - alas not the... more info
Stunning adaption that makes you cry with laughter I first saw this film when I was eight years old and have known it off by heart ever since. Having also watched and studied performances of 'Much Ado About Nothing' on stage I am able to say that the conversion from stage to screen is done beautifully by Kenneth Branagh. In response to anyone who has not seen any Shakespeare comedies I state that this film is absolutely hilarious and easy to understand, despite the fact that the original play was first performed in 1598! I thoroughly recommend... more info
A pretty good attempt at one of Shakespeare's B-list plays Nobody could say the storyline in Much Ado About Nothing is particularly clever. In fact, despite some very witty lyricism you would have to say this is one of Shakespeare's weakest plays. Having said that, this interpretation by Kenneth Branagh makes the most of the material. The comic characters are completely over-the-top (including Michael Keaton of Batman fame, and Ben Elton, creator of the Young Ones) and the more serious ones are given a slightly modern interpretation. The main plot which deals with... more info
![Much Ado About Nothing [1993]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HME6VKEJL._SL160_.jpg)
