Branagh brings Shakespeare to life

By Andy Veldkamp

"But pardon, gentles all,
The falt unraised spirits hath dared
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
So great an object. Can this cockpit hold
The vast fields of France? Or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?"
– Prologue of Henry V

My first exposure to Shakespeare came in English 9, in the form of "Romeo & Juliet," which I found to be a vomit-inducing piece of filth whose unusual language and lame-ass plot did not exactly instill the desire to become a thespian. It was not until later that a friend gained my grudging acceptance to view Henry V, a film directed by Kenneth Branagh (who you may remember as the man who brought us "Dead Again.") The difference in these two experiences was indescribable. Where Romeo & Juliet seemed dull and two-dimensional, Henry V was a stunning and visually-captivating experience. It could be said that a poet should know the limitations of his/her work, and it certainly held true with Shakespeare. In his prologue, he acknowledges that simply putting his plays on a wooden stage will not suffice. Branagh took note of this, and created a film whose excellent acting exciting battle-scenes, stining music, and expert camera work altered my view of Shakespeare.

Branagh's second Shakespearian effort was "Much Ado About Nothing," a thoroughly enjoyable comedy, which this time packs a bit more star power. Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves, Matthew Sean Leonard, and Micheal Keaton in a hilarious role as the town's constable. Once again, the scenery, music, and acting bring the play to life off of Shakespeare's written work. After seeing this movie eight times during its stay in Madison theatres, I finally became firm in my opinion that it is impossible to get the full effect of the play by reading it off of a page. Take heed, English Department, you are turning people against Shakespeare by presenting it in this format. Shakespeare was meant to be seen, not to be read.