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In the Bleak Midwinter (A Midwinter's Tale) (1995)

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Average Rating: 7.3/10
Reviews Counted: 19
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 722

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Movie Info

When his professional career hits a lull, an actor attempts to revitalize his career by staging a production of Hamlet, directed by and starring himself. Director and star Kenneth Branagh would in fact release his own film version of Shakespeare's classic play a year later, but this comedy provides his fictional counterpart with far less in terms of production value. Lacking money and time, he recruits a rather motley group of drunks, incompetents, and oddballs, including a middle-aged female

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

Written By: Kenneth Branagh

In Theaters: Feb 9, 1996 Wide

On DVD: Oct 22, 1996

Cast

Michael Maloney
Joe Harper (Hamlet)
Richard Briers
Henry Wakefield (Claudi...
Mark Hadfield
Vernon Spatch (Polonius...
Nicholas Farrell
Tom Newman (Laertes For...
Gerard Horan
Carnforth Grevilly
John Sessions
Terry Du Bois (Queen Ge...
Allie Byrne
Tap Dancer
Hetta Charnley
Molly
Joan Collins
Margaretta D'Arcy
Robert Hines
Mortimer
Brian Pettifer
Ventriloquist
Jennifer Saunders
Nancy Crawford
Patrick Doyle
Scotsman
Celia Imrie
Fadge
Shaun Prendergast
Mule Train Man
Julia Sawalha
Nina Raymond (Ophelia)
Nick Farrell

Critic Reviews for In the Bleak Midwinter (A Midwinter's Tale)

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (2)

[An] inoffensive trifle.

January 1, 2000 Comment

USA Today

Top Critic

Excellent, hilarious bookend to Branagh's Hamlet. If you or someone you love is in theatre, you must watch.

February 9, 2005 Comment

Widgett Walls

Needcoffee.com

One of Branagh's most charming works too little seen.

November 24, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A nice viewing alternative to the usual Christmas pap, and goes well with a fireplace and a snowy December day.

March 19, 2003 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comment

Brian Mckay

eFilmCritic.com

Delivers a bittersweet portrait of the trials and surprising rewards that come with being part of a theatre company.

August 27, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

A seriously funny ensemble farce.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for In the Bleak Midwinter (A Midwinter's Tale)

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I loved it. I wish he'd filmed a version of Hamlet with this cast using these sets, etc. I liked his version of Hamlet, but I would have loved to see this cast's take on the play.

September 15, 2007

Morris Nelms

Super Reviewer

A brilliant comedic look into the lives of a rag tag group of actors stumbling upon the shakespearian stage. Featuring the directing talent of Kenneth Branagh, quick one liners, and possibly the most awkward audition scene in cinema (besides Waiting For Guffman of course).

December 25, 2011