A Midwinter's Tale (1995)

A group of theater actors plays "Hamlet" in a provincial village, faced with their own temptations, disappointments, and joys.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writer:

Kenneth Branagh

Stars:

Michael Maloney, Richard Briers, Hetta Charnley

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Briers	...	Henry Wakefield (Claudius, the Ghost, and the Player King)
Hetta Charnley	...	Molly
Joan Collins	...	Margaretta D'Arcy
Nicholas Farrell	...	Tom Newman (Laertes, Fortinbras, and messengers)
Mark Hadfield	...	Vernon Spatch (Polonius, Marcellus, and First Gravedigger)
Gerard Horan	...	Carnforth Greville (Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Horatio, and Barnardo)
Celia Imrie	...	Fadge
Michael Maloney	...	Joe Harper (Hamlet)
Jennifer Saunders	...	Nancy Crawford
Julia Sawalha	...	Nina Raymond (Ophelia)
John Sessions	...	Terry Du Bois (Queen Gertrude)
Ann Davies	...	Mrs. Branch
James D. White	...	Tim
Robert Hines	...	Mortimer
Allie Byrne	...	Tap Dancer

Storyline

Out of work actor Joe volunteers to help try and save his sister's local church for the community by putting on a Christmas production of Hamlet, somewhat against the advice of his agent Margaretta. As the cast he assembles are still available even at Christmas and are prepared to do it on a "profit sharing" basis (that is, they may not get paid anything) he cannot expect, and does not get, the cream of the crop. But although they all bring their own problems and foibles along, something bigger starts to emerge in the perhaps aptly named village of Hope.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | actor | play | british renaissance | cross dressing | 

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Taglines:

The drama. The passion. The intrigue... And the rehearsals haven't even started.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Midwinter's Tale

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$346,839

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castle Rock Entertainment, Midwinter Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Sir Kenneth Branagh, "one of the greatest pleasures I had was when we had a screening on a Sunday morning in the West End, and most of the crew and cast came, including Dame Joan Collins. I'd paid for the film myself with the money I made from Frankenstein (1994), and we sold it at a profit. The books were completely open. And as they left the cinema that morning, we had all the envelopes laid out and we gave everybody a check, including Dame Joan Collins, who nearly fell over. She said, 'I've been in the business for quite a long time, and this has never happened.' She opened it and she said, 'F**king hell!' Because it was not inconsiderable."

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Quotes

Joe Harper: Let me introduce you to our designer. This is Fadge.
Nina Raymond: Did he say "Vag"?
Tom Newman: I'm glad she uses the abbreviation.

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

Mule Train
Written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, Fred Glickman
Copyright © 1949 Bulls Eye Music Inc., USA
Used by permission of Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd., London

User Reviews

Intellectually genial comedy - a must-see for the cinephile

A marvelous comedy concerning a troupe of oddball, misfit actors who travel to a small village to stage a production of "Hamlet". Director Branagh serves up some wonderfully heartwarming sentiments while managing to keep us laugh and on our toes. His excellent direction, a witty script, and stellar acting -absolutely stellar - by the ensemble, add up to an gratifying cinematic experience! Despite a few minor flaws, the film works about 75% of the time, and when it does, it's downright hilarious. Pay close attention to the dialogue - it's venomously funny; and the black and white cinematography, and the sets, are magnificent. Two special treats for the cinema connoisseur - a brilliant Joan Collins, and a surprise cameo from Jennifer Saunders.