The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 9.0985  Tuesday, 13 October 1998.

[1]     From:   Mary-Anne King <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Sunday, 11 Oct 1998 19:53:55 EDT
        Subj:   Re: SHK 9.0961 Re: New Shakespeare Films by Branagh

[2]     From:   Justin Bacon <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998 00:00:32 -0500
        Subj:   Re: SHK 9.0944  Re: New Shakespeare Films by Branagh


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Mary-Anne King <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Sunday, 11 Oct 1998 19:53:55 EDT
Subject: 9.0961 Re: New Shakespeare Films by Branagh
Comment:        Re: SHK 9.0961 Re: New Shakespeare Films by Branagh

I have to take exception to  "I wonder if anyone else has tired of his
predictable
mugging and overblown line readings?"

Branagh, with Henry 5 brought me back to Shakespeare.

I love his acting and his passion for the plays. I will be in the
audience the first night his movies are out with bells on. (so to speak)

mary-anne

[2]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Justin Bacon <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998 00:00:32 -0500
Subject: 9.0944  Re: New Shakespeare Films by Branagh
Comment:        Re: SHK 9.0944  Re: New Shakespeare Films by Branagh

Tiffany Rasovic wrote:

> Although it is marvelous to have so many new Shakespeare plays on film,
> if the company really wants to make the films "fresh" perhaps they could
> suggest that Branagh stay behind the camera...I wonder if anyone else
> has tired of his predictable mugging and overblown line readings?
> Arguably, KB is a great director/adapter/promoter, but let's hope for
> some fresh blood in the leading roles.

While I'll be the first in line to admit that Branagh seriously bungled
the major monologues in Hamlet (where I feel he allowed himself to be
sabotaged by the fact that these are "great" speeches), I think you
unfairly characterize his acting. His roles as Henry V, Hamlet, Benedick
(Much Ado), as well as more contemporary pieces (such as DEAD AGAIN and
THE PROPOSITION) show his great versatility.

But of course, to each their own.

Ian Doescher wrote:

> It's funny that "Love's Labour Lost" is actually being done-I had a
> chance to see Kenneth Branagh speak last year at Yale before a showing
> of "Much Ado."  He answered some questions, including one from me asking
> what Shakespeare he wanted to do next and, sure enough, he said a
> musical version of "Love's Labours Lost."  I'm excited to see the
> results...

I actually gleaned ths from his studio after a brief correspondence
about two years ago (IIRC), shortly after Hamlet appeared in the the
theatres.  Clearly this has been a project he has been hoping to do for
some time.

I have admit I was initially baffled when I heard this was his next
project -- having only read the play LLL hardly seemed something worth
doing when there are so many other plays which have yet to see a decent
film adaptation. However, I have had occasion since then to actually see
the play performed (by a local theatre-in-the-park group), and realized
that there is something about this piece which simply works in
performance. I resolved to re-read the play, but have not yet managed to
actually accomplish that. If Branagh catches that ineffable something
which I saw hinted at (and I have no reason he will not-otherwise I
doubt he would be doing the play), then this promises to be an excellent
film.

Justin Bacon
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