Certainly, much ado about nothing is lighter in tone than a tragedy like othello or a history like henry v, and the witty byplay of beatrice and benedick is a central element of the story. Branagh has successfully used a mixed cast of names and unknowns to breathe life into this lavish production, and never has shakespeare been more warmly received. Joss whedons adaptation of much ado about nothing perhaps the liveliest and most purely delightful movie i have seen so far this year draws out the essential screwball nature of. To pass the time, they conspire with don pedro denzel washington to set a lovers trap for benedick sir kenneth branagh, an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and beatrice dame emma thompson, his favorite sparring partner. The 1993 film adaptation of william shakespeares much ado about nothing, by kenneth branagh, differs in many aspects from the original script written by shakespeare. William shakespeares much ado about nothing soundtrack from 1993, composed by patrick doyle. Young lovers hero and claudio, soon to wed, conspire to get verbal. Like many of his plays, william shakespeares much ado about nothing takes place in renaissance italy.
The branagh much ado about nothing is a dreamlike house party set in and around a magnificent tuscan villa in the erotic heat of an italian summer. Robert sean leonard and kate beckinsale was filmed in villa vignamaggio just outside greve in chianti. From the beginning to the end of the play, two love stories are intertwined. The film was released on may 7, 1993, reaching 200 u. The main characters of this movie are don pedro, prince of medina, his brother don john, and noblemen claudio and benedict. His 1993 film of much ado about nothing is an outstanding adaptation of the play that benefits from his judicious cutting and rearrangement of text, as well as from his casting. Much ado about nothing, directed by joss whedon the. I noticed that much ado is actually two love stories. Much ado about nothing is a 1993 britishamerican romantic comedy film based on william. Much ado about nothing after going increasingly astray with two contemporary outings, kenneth branagh returns to the high and, for him, safe ground of shakespeare with much ado about nothing, a. As the title of this play suggests, theres a lot of fuss over nothing. Remembering the other great movie version of much ado.
Its principal subject is that of romance that may settle over the land after soldiers come home. Nearly 20 years earlier, noted shakespearean actordirector kenneth branagh later, himself another marvel director made much ado about nothing his second of five, so far movie adaptations of a shakespeare play. They decide that rumors are the best weapon and two teams are. Its sparkly and summery and full of laughs, though the modern setting doesnt gel with the elizabethan material quite as well as id hoped. The film also stars emma thompson, robert sean leonard, denzel washington, michael keaton, keanu reeves, and kate beckinsale in her film debut. Very accessible, jubilant shakespeare with brief bawdiness. Suddenly, don pedro, prince of arragon denzel washington and his victorious. They are now apparently on speaking terms, but don john, wearing a wicked black beard, mopes about the edges of the screen, casting dark looks upon the merrymakers. It was adapted for the screen and directed by kenneth branagh, who also stars in the film. Instead, much ado is one of the shakespeare comedies that celebrates shakespeares cleverness with language. Rating is available when the video has been rented. Tell her you heard us, and that she should sneak into the arbor where the crisscrossing branches.
He has filmed on location in and around an actual sunny italian villa of appropriate age and condition, the villa vignamaggio in tuscany. These are healthy, joyful young people whose high spirits will survive anything, even the dark doublecrosses of shakespeares plot. Introduction to the 1993 film much ado about nothing. In the end, though, it all turns out to be much ado about nothing. Introduction to the 1993 film much ado about nothing cliffsnotes. Much ado about nothing film synopsis the hot italian sun beats down on a beautiful villa set in the idyllic tuscan countryside. Kenneth branagh chose vignamaggio as the setting for his 1993 adaptation of the theatrical comedy much ado about nothing. And, had it not been for conrads foolish conversation with borachio out in the open, they would. Much ado about nothing is a gem of a movie a real find in 1993s sea of mediocrity. Films set in tuscany much ado about nothing kenneth. Much ado about nothing is a comedy, but comedy in shakespeare has a very specific meaning that doesnt include full of laughs all the way. William shakespeares much ado about nothing soundtrack 1993. Mark deming, rovi actor kenneth branagh made his directorial debut with a rousing screen adaptation of william. That last film, oddly enough, has a tone somewhat in common with much ado about nothing.
Kenneth branaghs much ado about nothing essay 1588. Much ado about nothing kenneth branagh, 1993 a classical piece, written by shakespeare and interpreted by kenneth branagh, denzel washington, keanu reeves, emma thompson, michael keaton, robert sean leonard and kate beckinsale was filmed in villa vignamaggio just outside greve in. At a masquerade party to celebrate the coming wedding of claudio and hero, don pedro, leonato and claudio among others, recognize that beatrice and benedick are meant to be together but are to stubborn to admit it, and so, concoct a plan to bring the two into each others arms. Much ado about nothing was filmed entirely at villa vignamaggio, greve in chianti in florence, tuscany, italy. Like many of shakespeares plays, there a comedic value to much ado about nothing. Much ado about nothing 1993 in this shakespearean farce, hero kate beckinsale and her groomtobe, claudio robert sean leonard, team up with claudios commanding officer, don pedro denzel. It allowed his audience to be transported to an exotic location with the right mood for a light. Remembering the other great movie version of much ado about nothing.
The play, set in sicily and shot in tuscany, involves a few crucial days in the lives of the followers of don pedro denzel washington, prince of arragon, who returns victorious from battle with his halfbrother don john keanu reeves. In the opening scene of much ado about nothing, kenneth branagh insists on the tone the movie will take. Keanu reeves at an event for much ado about nothing 1993 kenneth branagh and emma. Much ado about nothing 1993 this 1993 film version of shakespeares play is a colorful, ebullient romp, with a cast made up of british and american actors, as is often the case with major cinematic shakespeare offerings. A list of important facts about william shakespeares much ado about nothing, including setting, climax, protagonists, and antagonists. Branagh employs brilliant cinematography, manipulating lighting, camera angles to produce a carefree version to the original text. The movie opens with a burst of joy, as don pedro washington and his men return from the wars, the soundtrack flooded with an ecstatic fanfare, the screen filled with. Much ado about nothing also features michael keaton in a showy turn as dogberry. Shot in just 12 days, the story of sparring lovers beatrice and benedick of. A plot summary and scenebyscene breakdown of much ado about nothing. Sunshine and laughter, and merrymakers on a hillside sprinkled with flowers. Much ado about nothing kenneth branagh, 1993 traveling in.
Whisper to her that ursula and i are walking in the orchard and that were talking all about her. The 1993 film deservedly got considerable acclaim, and boasted an allstar cast that eclipses even whedons. By means of noting which, in shakespeares day, sounded similar to nothing as in the plays title, and which means. But instead of stretching out on a beach in hawaii, he spent the time making a blackandwhite version of shakespeares much ado about nothing on a. Much ado about nothing is a 1993 britishamerican romantic comedy film based on william shakespeares play of the same name. Shakespeares classic comedy is given a contemporary spin by director joss whedon. Shakespeare chose messina as the setting for much ado about nothing for several important reasons. Much ado about nothing movie location in villa vignamaggio. This comedy, written by william shakespeares in 1599, has enjoyed immense and lasting success, the title used to this today to describe a situation when a big fuss is made over something unimportant.
Much ado about nothing 1993 full movie video dailymotion. Much ado about nothing is a comedy by william shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599, as shakespeare was approaching the middle of his career. The play was included in the first folio, published in 1623. Young lovers hero kate beckinsale and claudio robert sean leonard are to be married in one week. Much ado about nothing gracefully drags shakespeare into.
In this lesson, we will take a closer look at the time and place of the plays setting and. Much ado about nothing also features michael keaton in a showy. The action of much ado about nothing occurs during several days of a visit by don pedro, prince of aragon, and his followers at the large estate of leonato, governor of messina. Meanwhile, the evil don jon keanu reeves conspires to break up the wedding by accusing hero of infidelity. Leonato, governor of messina richard briers, and the women of his household sprawl on the hillside relishing the summer heat. Much ado about nothing is a chance for shakespeare to do a quick storyboard on plot, and let the dialogue of his best characters simply show off his dexterous wit and writing ability. Released by epic soundtrax in 1993 ek 54009 containing music from much ado about nothing 1993. Sparknotes is here for you weve got everything you need to ace or teach. Unassumingly enjoyable and lowkey, much ado works because it lets shakespeares words take center stage, eschewing the usual pomp and circumstance. Much ado about nothing 1993 gents and lasses picnic on a verdant slope, music and poetry fill the air, everyone cheers the return of a local hero, horses gallop toward the town, the flag is hoisted high, naked men and women plunge into communal baths, and a mighty crew of movie stars kenneth branagh, keanu reeves, denzel washington, robert sean leonard make a spectacular entrance. Sicily was ruled by aragon at the time the play was set.
Unlike the 1993 film, in which branagh roughly maintained the setting of the original play, whedon places his much ado about nothing in presentday california. Youll find beatrice there, talking to claudio and the prince. Avengers and buffy director joss whedon manages a charming blackandwhite contemporary version of shakespeare comedy. Britishamerican romantic comedy film based on william shakespeares play of the same name. Nothing is not historical and so does not have a particular setting in time. Comparing the play versus the film of william shakespeares much ado about nothing. The action of the play takes place mainly at the home and on the grounds of leonatos estate. Don pedro has been victorious in a small war against his own halfbrother, don john, who has now reluctantly joined him.
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