Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play)
Kenneth Branagh (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Love | Masterful | Jealousy | Mistreat | Battle Of The Sexes

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Beaucoup de bruit pour rien (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Mucho ruido y pocas nueces (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
Muito Barulho por Nada (Brazil) (Portugal) [pt]
Molt soroll per no res (Spain: Catalan title) (dubbed version) [ca]
Molto rumore per nulla (Italy) [it]
Mycket väsen för ingenting (Sweden) [sv]
Paljon melua tyhjästä (Finland) [fi]
Sok hühó semmiért (Hungary) [hu]
Stor ståhej om ingenting (Denmark) [da]
Viel Lärm um nichts (Germany) [de]
Wiele halasu o nic (Poland) [pl]
William Shakespeare's Viel Lärm um nichts (Germany) [de]

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:6 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Set in Messina (Sicily) but filmed in Chianti (Toscana, central Italy).

Goofs:

Continuity: Margaret turns and runs up the aisle twice after the wedding.

Quotes:

Messenger: He has done good service, and a good soldier too, lady.
Beatrice: And a good soldier TO a lady. But what is he to a lord?
Messenger: A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffed with all honorable virtues.
Beatrice: 'Tis so indeed. He is no less than a stuffed man.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)

A beautiful film to enjoy

I saw this one or two years ago, and I loved it utterly. Not only has it a great cast including shakesperian actors Kenneth Brannagh and Emma Thompson, it also has a lovely, warm feel to it; set in the sunny countryside of Italy; perfect to watch on a summer's evening. Although I am a dedicated admirer of Laurence Olivier, the legend who's reputation Brannagh is often set up against; I must admit that nobody would ever suit the role of Benedick as Brannagh does He was perfect; fun, natural and wittily amusing to watch. As for Emma Thompson; she gave a fantastically fiery performance as Beatrice of the untamed tongue; watching she and Brannagh go for each other in their satirical arguments was fantastic.

Then there was Kate Beckindsale; one who I really would not have expected in a film such as this, but she did an exemplary and satisfying job as the fair Hero; although put completely in the shade by Emma Thompson. Keanu Reeves, the film star who I reckon NOBODY would have expected in a film such as this was surprisingly very good as the schemingly dark Don Jon, he suited the hiss-hiss villain's role deliciously. One who I thought could have been cast better was Robert Sean Leonard, as Claudio; who, although fine in scenes of wit and amusement; became forced in scenes of anger and sadness. Despite this, I thought he too suited the part well. I highly recommend this film to all who enjoy shakespeare, great English actors, or just good fun.