Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

May 7, 1993 (GB) • Drama, Comedy, Romance • 111m

Overview

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick and Beatrice -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John plots to ruin the wedding.

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Writer

Kenneth Branagh

Top Billed

Emma Thompson

Keywords

new love rage and hate bachelor masked ball lover villain based on play or musical wedding intrigue mischievous non-traditional casting admiring adoring audacious

Where to watch

Free / Included

Amazon Prime Video

Kanopy

YouTube TV

Amazon Prime Video with Ads

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Emma Thompson

Beatrice

Kenneth Branagh

Benedick

Kate Beckinsale

Hero

Denzel Washington

Don Pedro

Michael Keaton

Dogberry

Keanu Reeves

Don John

Robert Sean Leonard

Claudio

Richard Briers

Signor Leonato

Imelda Staunton

Margaret

Jimmy Yuill

Friar Francis

Brian Blessed

Antonio

Phyllida Law

Ursula

Patrick Doyle

Balthazar

Ben Elton

Verges

Andy Hockley

George Seacole

Chris Barnes

Francis Seacole

Conrad Nelson

Hugh Oatcake

Alex Lowe

Messenger

Richard Clifford

Conrade

Gerard Horan

Borachio

Alex Scott

The Boy

Edward Jewesbury

Sexton

Crew

Martin Childs

Art Direction

Tim Harvey

Production Design

Phyllis Dalton

Costume Designer

Geraldine Jones

Hairdresser

Paul Engelen

Makeup Supervisor

Justin Muller

Second Assistant Director

Suzanne Stokes-Munton

Hairdresser

Rosanna Roditi

Production Manager

Christopher Newman

First Assistant Director

Stephanie Collie

Wardrobe Assistant

Jennifer Graham

Costume Assistant

Kylie Clarke

Hairdresser

Naomi Critcher

Wardrobe Assistant

Carl Oprey

Second Assistant Director

Lorraine Cooksley

Costume Assistant

Mark Cooper

Production Supervisor

Susan Coates

Costume Assistant

Andrew Marcus

Second Unit Director

Jane Hamilton

Assistant Costume Designer

Deborah Lanser

Makeup Artist

Tracey Lee

Makeup Artist

Stephen Miles

Assistant Costume Designer

Andrew Marcus

Editor

Stephen Evans

Producer

Kenneth Branagh

Director

Roger Lanser

Director of Photography

Kenneth Branagh

Producer

David Parfitt

Producer

Kenneth Branagh

Writer

Michael Trent

Assistant Editor

Patrick Doyle

Original Music Composer

Simon Finney

Clapper Loader

William Shakespeare

Theatre Play

Reviews

DocTerminus

⭐ 10/10

February 6, 2022

For Kenneth Branagh's 4th film he chose to return to The Bard that brought him here. He chose Shakespeare's farcical comedy **MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING**. I knew one thing going in... Shakespeare's comedies are rarely that funny. I knew something better coming out.. I could not have been more wrong. This film is not only funny and sexy, it is a treasure.

This is the first Branagh film that he utilizes stunt casting - bringing in Hollywood talent into roles normally filled by Shakespearian actors. And while it isn't always perfect, there is no complaint. In fact Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Denzel Washington shine some bright light toward the American talent pool. Of course, many of Kenneth's _'Shakespeare'_ friends are still along for the ride - Brian Blessed is amongst my favorites.

Branagh's first major achievement with this film is on his screenplay treatment. Like his **HENRY V**, he has cut the screenplay down to a much more manageable Hollywood film length. It is taut and efficient. Nothing is missing for the casual Shakespeare fan. Of course the obsessed will find - or _won't_ find a lot of stuff.

Branagh's second major achievement is shared by others in the cast, especially Emma Thompson. Their handle of the language and poetry of Shakespeare shifts what is often muddy and confusing dialogue to crystal clear and modern understanding. In fact you will find yourself smiling through most of their scenes together as they torture each other until their love takes over.

In high school readings of any Shakespeare plays, students often get confused as to the social aspect of the stories... They would question why there is a party and why is everyone in the town celebrating it? Why do battles seem to be fought and won amongst only 10 soldiers? Why does it seem that marriages are performed on the same day that the couple first met? So many questions confuse students and the adults who grow from them. Branagh's most masterful achievement here is in answering these questions.

During his **HENRY V**, Branagh used an incredibly impressive tracking shot through the death and destruction on the field of Agincourt. Just as impressive is the finale of **MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING**, including the audience in the celebration moving through the community and finally, up into the sky with a grand view of the love and excitement of all that are alive to experience it.

It is obvious that Kenneth Branagh is a major fan of Shakespeare. I would venture to say that he is more than a fan, he is an artistic peer.

show less

Recommended Movies

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Bruce Almighty

Atonement

Serendipity

Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$11,000,000

Revenue

$22,600,000

Loading…

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

DocTerminus

Recommended Movies

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Bruce Almighty

Atonement

Serendipity

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

Rate This Movie

Rate This TV Show