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Much Ado about Nothing (Cambridge School Shakespeare) | 
 enlarge | Author: William Shakespeare
Creators: Mary Berry, Michael Clamp
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Category: Book
List Price: £5.50
Buy New: £0.99
You Save: £4.51 (82%)
New (37) Used (20) from £0.68
Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 17799
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 210
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.4
ISBN: 052161872X
Dewey Decimal Number: 822.33
EAN: 9780521618724
ASIN: 052161872X
Publication Date: July 21, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: In stock - Immediate despatch from an efficient and professional leading British bookselling firm.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like Love's Labour's Lost, Much Ado about Nothing shows Shakespeare moving into a more complex and darker terrain through his exploration of an apparently harmless comical romance. The play revolves around the adventures of the two gallants Claudio and Benedick at the court of Sicily. Claudio falls in love with the governor's daughter Hero, and is eager for his more misanthropic friend Benedick to also find love. Benedick is introduced to the fiery, independent Beatrice, and sparks soon fly as they banter with each other in a more wittier version of Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. Beatrice has some wonderful ripostes to marriage asking why should a woman marry "a clod of wayward marl", whilst Benedick grumbles that "She speaks poniards and every word stabs". Meanwhile, the jealous Don John convinces Claudio that Hero has in fact been unfaithful to him. When Claudio rejects Hero on their wedding day, she faints and is taken for dead. In the hectic final scenes the play moves towards reconciliation between Claudio and Hero, and the tentative admission of the love between Benedick and Beatrice. Famously filmed by Kenneth Branagh in the Tuscan countryside with a cast that included Keanu Reeves, Much Ado about Nothing remains one of Shakespeare's most successful comedies. --Jerry Brotton.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 40 more reviews...
 Great play, great film, terrible DVD August 8, 2008
Flicking through my recommendations on Amazon today I came across this. Well I bought it when it first came out on DVD so thought I would add my voice to those other reviews about the quality. I won't say to much about the film. For me it was very, very enjoyable. Well acted (a pleasure to see so many British stars mixed with those from across the pond), well directed (the scene where Beatrice and Benedict are 'captured' by the trap is superb), with good music and wonderful scenery.
Such a shame then that the DVD is so sloppily put together. In Mono only! No scene selection. No 'making of'. No directors' comments. Surely the time has come for a new edition?
I have most of Kenneth Branagh's work and enjoyed immensely his comments on 'Loves Labours Lost' and would really like to hear him speak about 'Much Ado . .' I suppose it might be rather difficult for him to go back to then - for many reasons - but I think it would make the whole film that much more enjoyable.
So please - can we have a new edition with bells and whistles. I would buy it with pleasure. Perhaps, if enough of Mr Branagh's fans ask, he will arrange it?
 Superb Film - Rotten DVD July 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson version of 'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of the happiest and most charming films I have ever seen (despite the tense bit in the middle and the tedious nature of the bard's original story).
This DVD is let down -so- badly by the rough and ready transfer, which has the following problems:
1) This is 1.4ish:1 and not widescreen as it says on the packaging (the original film -was- widescreen)
2) The colour in the original film was wonderful - alas not the DVD, where unsightly colour aliasing and contours are evident
3) There isn't even a decent Scene Selection capability, just a small number of whole 'acts', so it is very hard to find your place if you don't see it all the way through
4) No Extras whatever, despite the fact that there was a lovely 'making of' featurette made (I watched it on TV).
Please, please, please could we have a widescreen anamorphic reissue (Region 2) with all of the above corrected?
I for one would pay full price.
 Stunning adaption that makes you cry with laughter April 14, 2008
I first saw this film when I was eight years old and have known it off by heart ever since. Having also watched and studied performances of 'Much Ado About Nothing' on stage I am able to say that the conversion from stage to screen is done beautifully by Kenneth Branagh.
In response to anyone who has not seen any Shakespeare comedies I state that this film is absolutely hilarious and easy to understand, despite the fact that the original play was first performed in 1598!
I thoroughly recommend that you watch this film over and over again along with Shakespeare's other productions!
 A pretty good attempt at one of Shakespeare's B-list plays April 6, 2008
Nobody could say the storyline in Much Ado About Nothing is particularly clever. In fact, despite some very witty lyricism you would have to say this is one of Shakespeare's weakest plays. Having said that, this interpretation by Kenneth Branagh makes the most of the material. The comic characters are completely over-the-top (including Michael Keaton of Batman fame, and Ben Elton, creator of the Young Ones) and the more serious ones are given a slightly modern interpretation. The main plot which deals with the importance of virginity in a new bride, has a gently mocking modern treatment. The whole play is, as its name suggests, a storm in a teacup and Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thomson make the most of the sarcastic interplay available to them. Even the charming Denzel Washington manages not to stumble over his lines.
 Ruined, alas March 20, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Despite fine performances from an all-star cast, this film is spoiled by mawkish camerawork and a startlingly inappropriate score from the ever-disappointing Patrick Doyle. Almost unwatchable.
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