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Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead
1991
Centering on two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet, two off-kilter rogues are summoned to the court of the King of Denmark, where they meet a traveling entertainer and attempt to solve a mystery. Based on Tom Stoppard's play, this film won Best Picture at the 1991 Venice Film Festival. Read more
| Starring | Tim Roth, Gary Oldman, Richard Dreyfuss |
|---|---|
| Director | Tom Stoppard |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Tom Stoppard's screen version of his own hit play, beginning with a splendid long shot of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern making their way to Elsinore, has largely been dismissed by the critics, who disapproved both of his opening out what had been a delightful theatrical experience and his audacity in penning new material. They were also pretty scathing of the performances by Gary Oldman and Tim Roth. Yet, combining verbal dexterity with precise slapstick timing, they capture the boredom and bewilderment of these two Hamlet also-rans with disarming charm. Richard Dreyfuss as the Player and Ian Richardson as Polonius also score palpable hits. Undeservedly much-maligned.
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"...A film both eloquently impish and brilliant....A jewel of a movie, a work of high literacy, bawdy good spirits, blazing wit, bizarre charm and eerie suspense..."
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Stoppard's 1967 play was a delicious and profound theatrical conceit, a pastiche which turned Shakespeare's famous... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
It's Hamlet, but in a good way.
It's a fairly unique idea, seperate to anything else out there. It's got snappy, almost Tarantino-like dialogue and great performances from Tim Roth and Gary Oldman (nothing new there). The play itself runs alongside the film, which means that the leading characters dip into the important scenes at the points required, then the action follows them, rather than the play's key figures. It's a great idea and really entertaining, without being bogged bown by the difficulties you normally get with Shakespeare (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern only do Shakespearian language as and when they appear in the play itself, the rest of the time they're normal!) Different and entertaining.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
just great
It is a really clever movie. a must for any fan of hamlet. It's kind of helpful to get a general understanding of the play first. then it makes more sense. some of it still doesn't make a whole load of sense but that's part of it's charm.
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Excellent Intelligent Comedy
A perfect combination of Tom Stoppards witty dialogue, and Roth and Oldman together yet again. Wonderful Spin on Hamlet, which face it is one of Will's most depressing plays; which leaves you in a cheery mood, uplifted by Stoppards constant play on words. Rosencratnz and Guilderstein are both geniuses and idiots. Poor Rosencrantz (or is it Guilderstein - neither can decide) who constantly stumbles upon inventions that have not been invented yet, but still cannot remember his own name. Bless. Fo the ladies, Gary and Tim are delightful as always, for the boys, the wit and jokes should keep you amused.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
It's Hamlet, but in a good way.
It's a fairly unique idea, seperate to anything else out there. It's got snappy, almost Tarantino-like dialogue and great performances from Tim Roth and Gary Oldman (nothing new there). The play itself runs alongside the film, which means that the leading characters dip into the important scenes at the points required, then the action follows them, rather than the play's key figures. It's a great idea and really entertaining, without being bogged bown by the difficulties you normally get with Shakespeare (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern only do Shakespearian language as and when they appear in the play itself, the rest of the time they're normal!) Different and entertaining.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
The Miled Shakespeare
Watch or read Hamlet first the you will love this film. Tim Roth and Gary Oldman as always are ace.
If you can be bothered to do the Hamlet thing then watch it anyway.
Amazing!
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
It's Hamlet, but in a good way.
It's a fairly unique idea, seperate to anything else out there. It's got snappy, almost Tarantino-like dialogue and great performances from Tim Roth and Gary Oldman (nothing new there). The play itself runs alongside the film, which means that the leading characters dip into the important scenes at the points required, then the action follows them, rather than the play's key figures. It's a great idea and really entertaining, without being bogged bown by the difficulties you normally get with Shakespeare (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern only do Shakespearian language as and when they appear in the play itself, the rest of the time they're normal!) Different and entertaining.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
just great
It is a really clever movie. a must for any fan of hamlet. It's kind of helpful to get a general understanding of the play first. then it makes more sense. some of it still doesn't make a whole load of sense but that's part of it's charm.
-
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Excellent Intelligent Comedy
A perfect combination of Tom Stoppards witty dialogue, and Roth and Oldman together yet again. Wonderful Spin on Hamlet, which face it is one of Will's most depressing plays; which leaves you in a cheery mood, uplifted by Stoppards constant play on words. Rosencratnz and Guilderstein are both geniuses and idiots. Poor Rosencrantz (or is it Guilderstein - neither can decide) who constantly stumbles upon inventions that have not been invented yet, but still cannot remember his own name. Bless. Fo the ladies, Gary and Tim are delightful as always, for the boys, the wit and jokes should keep you amused.
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strange but good
If your looking for a straightforward story this is not for your.The acting is excellent and the cast superb.
You might have thought is was something the big lad from Statford wrote. -
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Great Comedy at times.
At times, brilliantly funny, at other, sloppy Shakespearen.
Gary Oldman and Tim Roth are brilliant, as the ill fated Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, but, blissfully unaware of what is to become of them, they stumble through the plot.
There are some brilliant examples of the acting proess of Oldman and Roth, with a good script, these two can do no wrong.
The supporting cast however and the Mime scenes are tedious and a bit boring, but they don't tarnish the brilliance of the comedy.
If you are a fan of Oldman and/or Roth, seek this out, its worth a rent at least. -
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
The Miled Shakespeare
Watch or read Hamlet first the you will love this film. Tim Roth and Gary Oldman as always are ace.
If you can be bothered to do the Hamlet thing then watch it anyway.
Amazing! -
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A sad waste....
I'd had the pleasure of seeing the stage version a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, so the idea of seeing the great actors of Roth & Oldman sounded like a great opportunity.
Imagine my disappointment to find this film is a very poor relation of the stage play. The pace is very slow, the jokes are stodgy and the whole play just doesn't work as a film.
A sadly missed opportunity, but don't let it put you off the play - if you ever get the chance to see a recommended production of the play, see that instead. -
Too clever by half
Apart from a funny scene when the travelling showmen first arrive, I found this film too clever and slow for my taste.
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What were they doing?
Are we the players or the played? Where do we come from and what exactly were Rosencratz and Guildenstern up to when they weren't in the play? They must have been doing something after all. Yes, they were trying to make sense of the world around them. Deeply philosophical, excellently acted and skilfully written. A working knowledge of Hamlet will make this film easier to watch but, to be honest, it is worth it just to see Gary Oldman play, well, Guildenstern or Rosencratz? Massively underrated, this film is not for a fluffy night in but is definitely one to watch.
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A classic
Brilliant comedy of the absurd. Read the play first though.
Critics' reviews (5)
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Tom Stoppard's screen version of his own hit play, beginning with a splendid long shot of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern making their way to Elsinore, has largely been dismissed by the critics, who disapproved both of his opening out what had been a delightful theatrical experience and his audacity in penning new material. They were also pretty scathing of the performances by Gary Oldman and Tim Roth. Yet, combining verbal dexterity with precise slapstick timing, they capture the boredom and bewilderment of these two Hamlet also-rans with disarming charm. Richard Dreyfuss as the Player and Ian Richardson as Polonius also score palpable hits. Undeservedly much-maligned.
-
"...A film both eloquently impish and brilliant....A jewel of a movie, a work of high literacy, bawdy good spirits, blazing wit, bizarre charm and eerie suspense..."
-
Stoppard's 1967 play was a delicious and profound theatrical conceit, a pastiche which turned Shakespeare's famous... read more on Time Out
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"...Pure pleasure....The film is extravagantly, mercilessly funny....[A] thrilling one-of-a-kind film..."
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A celebrated stage play, and gloss on Shakespeare, transfers awkwardly to the screen.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead
Centering on two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet, two off-kilter rogues are summoned to the court of the King of Denmark, where they meet a traveling entertainer and attempt to solve a mystery. Based on Tom Stoppard's play, this film won Best Picture at the 1991 Venice Film Festival....
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