Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Young lovers Hero and Claudio, soon to wed, conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles Benedick and Beatrice to wed as well.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Kenneth Branagh (adaptation)

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Briers	...	Leonato
Kate Beckinsale	...	Hero
Imelda Staunton	...	Margaret
Jimmy Yuill	...	Friar Francis
Brian Blessed	...	Antonio
Andy Hockley	...	George Seacole
Chris Barnes	...	Francis Seacole
Conrad Nelson	...	Hugh Oatcake
Phyllida Law	...	Ursula
Emma Thompson	...	Beatrice
Alex Lowe	...	Messenger
Denzel Washington	...	Don Pedro
Keanu Reeves	...	Don John
Richard Clifford	...	Conrade
Gerard Horan	...	Borachio

Storyline

Young lovers Hero and Claudio are to be married in one week. To pass the time, they conspire with Don Pedro to set a "lover's trap" for Benedick, an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his favorite sparring partner. Meanwhile, the evil Don Jon conspires to break up the wedding by accusing Hero of infidelity. In the end, though, it all turns out to be "much ado about nothing".

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Plot Keywords:

directed by star | shakespeare's much ado about nothing | based on play | multi plot | italy | 

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Taglines:

Romance. Mischief. Seduction. Revenge. Remarkable.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for momentary sensuality

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 July 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mucho ruido y pocas nueces

Filming Locations:

Villa Vignamaggio, Greve in Chianti, Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$22,551,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Renaissance Films, American Playhouse Theatrical Films, BBC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is one of two 1993 films to star Kenneth Branagh (Benedick) and Robert Sean Leonard (Claudio). The other was Swing Kids (1993).

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Goofs

The deckchair was first patented in the late nineteenth century, and would thus not have available at the time of the film's setting.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Beatrice: Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more. Men were deceivers ever. One foot in sea and one on shore, to one thing constant never. Then sigh not so but let them go and be you blithe and bonny, converting all your sounds of woe into hey nonny nonny.

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Connections

Version of Viel Getu' um nichts (1971)

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Soundtracks

Strike Up Pipers
(uncredited)
Written by William Shakespeare
Performed by Patrick Doyle

User Reviews

Awesome Shakespeare!

I love this movie! Great story, wonderful cast, good photography. Kenneth Branaugh is the funniest as a witty, likable guy. His facial expressions and vocal streachs are the best! I think he is one of the best Shakespearian actors of today. Emma Thompson is great. Denzel Washington very cool, I felt so sorry for him when Beatrice refused him, though he is a little too good for her. I love his character though, how he likes to fix everybody up and make them happy. Robert Sean Lenord was a little sappy, but it was pretty fitting for who he was. He needs more roles like this and Dead Poets Society. Micheal Keaton and his little side-kick (poor guy!) stole the show! Hilarious! Hero didn't do anything for me though. She was pretty, but didn't have much to say, it seemed like she was watching the others most of the time. The best part of this movie is when Benidick and Beatrice hear about the other's love and realise they love each other. The photography is best when Beatrice is swinging and Benedick is splashing in the fountain! I'm hooked on Shakespheare now, I'm planning to watch the version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" coming out with Michelle Pfeiffer, not to mention any Shakespeare movies I see with Kenneth Branaugh in them!