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Between the release of
Henry V in 1989 and
Love's Labour's Lost in 2000, Kenneth Branagh directed eight major films in a wide variety of genres, ranging from film noir to horror to comedy, and continually startled audiences around the world with his audacious and energetic film style. Initially following in the footsteps of Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier, Branagh has placed himself among the small collection of actors who have transformed themselves into award-winning directors as well. In this, the first comprehensive English-language treatment of Branagh's feature films, Crowl delves deeply into the work of this bold artist, demonstrating the means by which Branagh manages to produce films that appeal to the general public even while treating texts and themes that are traditionally relegated to the realms of academic institutions and high art. As with Branagh's own work, readers cannot help but be entertained.
List of contents
Preface..3
Chapter 1- Actor as Filmmaker7
Chapter 2- Henry V.41
Chapter 3- Dead Again77
Chapter 4- Peter's Friends..111
Chapter 5- Much Ado About Nothing144
Chapter 6- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein188
Chapter 7- A Midwinter's Tale.222
Chapter 8- Hamlet.250
Chapter 9- Love's Labour's Lost291
Appendix 1: Interview with Kenneth Branagh326
Appendix 2: Kenneth Branagh Chronology
Appendix 3: Kenneth Branagh Filmography
About the author
Samuel Crowl is Professor of English at Ohio University where he has taught since 1970. He has twice been honoured for distinguished teaching and served as Dean of University College from 1981-92. Crowl has held an Observership with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has published and lectured widely on performance aspects of Shakespeare. Crowl is the author of Screen Adaptations: Shakespeare's Hamlet (due for publication 2014) and many articles on performance aspects of Shakespeare in such journals as: Shakespeare Quarterly, Shakespeare Survey and Shakespeare Bulletin.
Samuel Crowl is Trustee Professor of English at Ohio University where he has taught since 1970. He is the author of two books on Shakespeare, as well as numerous essays, articles, reviews, and interviews on all aspects of Shakespeare in performance. He has been honored many times for outstanding teaching and has lectured widely on Shakespeare at universities and conferences here and abroad, including the Shakespeare Institute and the International Globe Center.
