the image of movie studio be financially drive instead of creatively be not without truth ( in fact and it more true than false ) . this beg the question why castle rock entertainment allow kenneth branagh to create a full length and uncut version of hamlet with his complete creative control among other thing . of course and branagh have to agree to some concession ( a star stud cast and and a 2 . 5 hour version for wide release ) and but why would the film studio allow branagh to spend money on a 4 hour version that they know few would see . could they have and at least in this case and have enough respect for the material and branagh vision to create something for only a few people . that be not a question that i can answer . whatever the reason and this be a glorious vision for those who be willing to spend four hour watch hamlet . everyone know the story and so i will not spend much time on that . however and unlike other production of the play and stage include and this be a completely uncut production and which have never be do before . accord to some and shakespeare never intend for the play to be produce uncut and leave the decision of what to include to the director discretion . that be say and i have no doubt that have he be able to see it and the bard would have be overjoy with branagh production . the film be top heavy with film star and although most have mere bit part . all play their part equally well . i would have think branagh too old to play the part of hamlet and and while he still may be and his performance more than make up for it . hamlet be a complex part and display every emotion from grief to anger and happiness to madness and and everything in between . branagh nail it . derek jacobi be terrific a the wily claudius and whose deception and treachery set all these thing in motion while his unique voice be perfect for the role . julie christie be also very good a gertrude and hamlet care mother who doesn not realize what be go on until late in the game . the classical actor be cast in bit part ( judi dench be on for all of 60 second and have no line ) and but at least theyre in it . surprisingly and no one take this to heart while everyone give it their all and and it show . special mention have to go to jack lemmon and billy crystal and who be excellent . robin williams be a little too silly and but he not bad ( his part be pretty small anyway ) . yet and this be undeniably branagh show . he adapt one of the most famous play in history and and in so do and he take on a whale of a project while it impressive that he get it do and but the fact that the film be this good be a monumental achievement . what i really like about this film be that you do not have to be a shakespeare scholar to enjoy it . a most people know and shakespeare be difficult to digest and but branagh and his cast understand this . hamlet be still immensely enjoyable to just sit and listen to the actor deliver the brilliant dialogue and excellent acting . this be a must see for anyone and everyone . it may be four hour long and but it definitely worth it .