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Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

Actor(s): Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, Richard Dreyfuss, Iain Glen, Joanna Roth
Director(s): Tom Stoppard
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Details

MPAA Rating: PG
Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language
Movie Release: 1990
DVD Release: 03/22/2005
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
Edition: Dual Layered
Audio Tracks: English
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Number of Discs: 2
Run Time: 1 hrs 58 mins
Studio: Image Entertainment
Members Wishing: 27
Genres: Comedy, Tragi-comedy, Buddy Film

Synopsis

Much as he would later do with Shakespeare in Love (1998), writer Tom Stoppard delivered a tale of Shakespearean origin from a skewed and unexpected perspective. In this case, it's the perspective of two relatively minor characters from -Hamlet, Rosencrantz (Gary Oldman) and Guildenstern (Tim Roth), courtiers who, in the original play, were dispatched offstage before the narrative's conclusion. In Stoppard's script (which he also directed), the two supporting players take center stage as the events unfold in Elsinore Castle. Unable to determine the source of the prince's tortured despair, the duo ponders the question of fate as their predetermined roles are played out. Meanwhile, they dabble in a little verbal tennis and some ill-advised science experiments, and endure the puzzling attentions of mysterious wandering thespians led by (Richard Dreyfuss). Ordered to accompany Hamlet (Iain Glen) to England, the pair learn that the letter they carry instructs that nation's king to decapitate their mentally unbalanced and irksome charge, a revelation that Hamlet overhears. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Cast

Gary Oldman - Rosencrantz
Tim Roth - Guildenstern
Richard Dreyfuss - Player King
Iain Glen - Hamlet
Joanna Roth - Ophelia

Awards

1990	Golden Lion (winner)	Venice International Film Festival	Tom Stoppard
1991	Best Actor (nominee)	Independent Spirit Awards	Gary Oldman

Editorial Review

Tom Stoppard's comedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead gets a double-disc DVD release that offers a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Although the film looks and sounds great, the extra disc may be the real prize. The disc consists of interviews with Tim Roth, Gary Oldman, Richard Dreyfuss, and Tom Stoppard. The segments are very long, and very extensive. A standout moment is Roth explaining how a famous actor's misfortune led him to be cast in the film. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide