Kenneth Branagh
I had no idea that when I entered a movie theater in 1989 to see Henry V, that I would develop a long-lasting obsession. Now, more than a decade later, I can still remember being completely mesmerized by Kenneth Branagh’s portrayal of King Henry V — and all within the first 10 minutes of the film! I left the theater that afternoon believing I had just seen perfection. Since that moment, I have been a bona fide Kenneth Branagh fan. He is a tremendously talented actor, director, screenwriter/playright, who has managed to gather together onscreen some of the best actors in Hollywood and the UK.
My favorites — out of a vast and varied filmography — are …
- Henry V — of course!
- Hamlet
- Much Ado About Nothing
- In the Bleak Midwinter (US title: A Midwinter’s Tale )
- Dead Again
- How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog
- Othello
I have also been fortunate enough to see Kenneth Branagh live onstage twice. The first time was when he starred in Richard III at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK in 2002. The second time was in David Mamet’s Edmond at the National Theatre in London, UK in 2003. Both were powerful and amazing performances. By the way, none of my friends were at all surprised that I went to the UK just to see these plays! They are all well aware of my obsession.
I could list more Kenneth Branagh links but these two are truly the best and most comprehensive so why bother?
