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:

Villain | Mistreat | Set Up | Typical Outcome | Change

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
Robert Sean Leonard	...	Claudio
Kenneth Branagh	...	Benedick
Patrick Doyle	...	Balthazar
Alex Scott	...	The Boy
Michael Keaton	...	Dogberry
Ben Elton	...	Verges
Edward Jewesbury	...	Sexton

Directed by
Kenneth Branagh

Writing credits
William Shakespeare		(play)
Kenneth Branagh		(screenplay)

Produced by
Kenneth Branagh	....	producer
Stephen Evans	....	producer
David Parfitt	....	producer

Original Music by
Patrick Doyle

Cinematography by
Roger Lanser

Film Editing by
Andrew Marcus

Casting by
Pam Dixon

Production Design by
Tim Harvey

Art Direction by
Martin Childs

Costume Design by
Phyllis Dalton

Makeup Department
Paul Engelen	....	makeup artist
Suzanne Stokes-Munton	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Mark Cooper	....	production supervisor
Rosanna Roditi	....	production manager: Italy

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Andrew Marcus	....	second unit director
Justin Muller	....	second assistant director
Christopher Newman	....	assistant director
Carl Oprey	....	assistant director

Art Department
Celia Bobak	....	property buyer
Diana Trotter	....	artistic department translator

Sound Department
David Crozier	....	production sound mixer
Lucy Fawcett	....	foley artist
Pauline Griffiths	....	foley artist
Gerry Nucifora	....	sound assistant
Robin O'Donoghue	....	sound re-recording mixer
Andrew Sissons	....	boom operator

Visual Effects by
Nicholas Brooks	....	visual effects
Paddy Eason	....	digital effects designer
Pete Hanson	....	studio manager: CFC

Stunts
Bronco McLoughlin	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
John Breedon	....	second grip
Clive Coote	....	still photographer
Stephen Finch	....	electrician
Tommy Finch	....	gaffer
Simon Finney	....	clapper loader
Steve Kitchen	....	electrician
Keith McNamara	....	focus puller
Toby Plaskitt	....	grip
Chris Plevin	....	focus puller
Roger Sharland	....	camera engineer
Andy Shuttleworth	....	steadicam operator
Jonathan Sykes	....	focus puller

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Stephanie Collie	....	wardrobe assistant
Naomi Critcher	....	wardrobe assistant
Jane Hamilton	....	assistant costume designer
Stephen Miles	....	assistant costume designer (as T. Stephen Miles)
Lisa Shanley	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Simon Cozens	....	assistant editor
Michael Trent	....	assistant editor
Bob Wenokur	....	studio post-production representative

Music Department
Gerard McCann	....	music editor
Roy Prendergast	....	supervising music editor

Other crew
Liz Barron	....	production accountant
Joyce Branagh	....	unit runner
Paola Colpani	....	account assistant
Hugh Cruttwell	....	production consultant
Jonathan Evans	....	unit runner
Giorgio Gallani	....	location manager: Italy
Francesca Gentili	....	account assistant
Dr. Russell Jackson	....	text consultant
Giulia Maura	....	production assistant
Iona Price	....	production coordinator
Janet Rogers	....	horse supplier
Paul Shersby	....	location manager
Enzo Sisti	....	fiscal representative: Italy
Annie Wotton	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• Renaissance Films

Distributors

• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (1993) (USA) (theatrical)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1995) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Laurenfilm (Spain)
• Look Filmes (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• PlayArte Home Vídeo (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Computer Film Company, The (CFC) (multi matte dissolves)

Other Companies

• ARRI Lighting Rental  light equipment
• Epic Soundtrax  soundtrack published by
• Grip House  grip equipment

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 | 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:

Kate Beckinsale shot this film during her summer break from studying Russian and French at New College, Oxford.

Goofs:

During the opening when the women are undressing and preparing for the arrival of the prince, a few bare bottoms are showing. All have bikini lines.

Quotes:

Beatrice: Kill Claudio!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Filmography: Keanu Reeves" (2005)

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.