Mini Movie Reviews: Endurance Tests

Today's theme is bum aching runtimes featuring films by Sergei Bondarchuk, Kenneth Branagh, Sergio Leone, David Lean, John Woo, William Wyler, and Sergei Eisenstein.

Hamlet (Zeffirelli)

"Angels and ministers of grace defend us!"

You've seen The Lion King, right? It's like that. But with people.

Hamlet

“The play's the thing. Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.”

Of all the various tragedies, comedies and histories he produced in his lifetime, Hamlet remains one of my absolute favourite William Shakespeare plays. It contains one of his best narratives, some of his most fascinating characters and without doubt his finest dialogue, much of which has now become embedded in the national lexicon. Like many I was unable to acquire tickets to see the RSC production starring David Tennant when it first debuted in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Fortunately the RSC, realising the mass appeal of Tennant, teamed-up with the BBC to adapt the play for television.