A Midwinter's Tale

"A Midwinter's Tale" (also known as "In the Bleak Midwinter") is a 1995 romantic comedy written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Many of the roles in the film were written for specific actors.

"A Midwinter's Tale" is a comic look at the actor's eternal despair." The film begins with a monologue by out-of-work actor Joe Harper (Michael Maloney) about his slow decline into depression. In an attempt to beat his depression Joe volunteers to help try and save his sister's local church from land developers for the community by putting on a Christmas production of "Hamlet", somewhat against the advice of his agent Margaretta. As the cast he assembles are still available even at Christmas and are prepared to do it on a 'profit sharing' basis (that is, they may not get paid anything) he cannot expect - and does not get - the cream of the cream. But although they all bring their own problems and foibles along, something bigger starts to emerge in the perhaps aptly named village of Hope. This film encapsulates the hilarious and heartbreaking struggle of actor versus situation versus life, and often versus each other. It was shot in black and white for artistic effect.Branagh. [http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/midwinter/misc/interview.html#9 "WHY DID YOU MAKE IT IN BLACK AND WHITE?"] . INTERVIEW WITH KENNETH BRANAGH. June 18, 2006.]

ynopsis

The story is set in Hope, England. It's Christmastime, and 'tis the season to put on Shakespeare's most cheery seasonal play: "Hamlet". Joe Harper takes the project on as a Final Stand of sorts under the encouragement of his catty agent, advertising in the local newspaper for actors at a low price. From the rabble of actors both strange and untalented, he chooses the following:

Hamlet: Joe Harper himself.

Ophelia: Nina Raymond, a shortsighted well-meaning space cadet who has been using low-calorie mayonnaise for lotion because she can't make out the label.

King Claudius: Henry Wakefield, a long-suffering and cynical old Englishman with a sharp tongue and a list of prejudices five miles (8 km) long, forced to room with Queen Gertrude's player.

Queen Gertrude: Terry DuBois, a flamboyantly gay theatrical actor with a preoccupation for costume and an estranged son.

Laertes, Fortinbras, and various: Tom Newman, an uptight, self-righteous character who foists his values on everyone else and attempts to distinguish his many characters with a variety of outrageous accents.

Horatio, Bernardo: Not-so-subtle Carnforth Greville, an alcoholic in denial and a kindly bachelor with no memory for lines whatsoever.

Polonius, Marcellus, and the First Gravedigger: Vernon Spatch, the ambitious techie's techie, self-imposed marketing director, and unofficial documentarian of the proceedings.

Set Designer: Fadge, just Fadge, specializing in new-age art and obscure statements about "air," "space," and "fog." Close friends call her "Fa".

Cast

*Richard Briers ... Henry Wakefield (Claudius, the Ghost, and the Player King)
*Hetta Charnley ... Molly
*Joan Collins ... Margaretta D'Arcy
*Nicholas Farrell ... Tom Newman (Laertes, Fortinbras, and messengers)
*Mark Hadfield ... Vernon Spatch (Polonius, Marcellus, and First Gravedigger)
*Gerard Horan ... Carnforth Greville (Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Horatio, and Barnardo)
*Celia Imrie ... Fadge
*Michael Maloney ... Joe Harper (Hamlet)
*Jennifer Saunders ... Nancy Crawford
*Julia Sawalha ... Nina Raymond (Ophelia)
*John Sessions ... Terry Du Bois (Queen Gertrude)
*Ann Davies ... Mrs. Branch
*James D. White ... Tim
*Robert Hines ... Mortimer
*Allie Byrne ... Tap Dancer
*Adrian Scarborough ... Young Actor
*Brian Pettifer ... Ventriloquist
*Patrick Doyle ... Scotsman
*Shaun Prendergast ... Mule Train Man
*Carol Starks ... Audience Member
*Edward Jewesbury ... Nina's Father
*Katy Carmichael ... Mad Puppet Woman (uncredited)

References

External links

*
* [http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/midwinter/index.html The film's official website]
* [http://www.newmarketpress.com/title.asp?id=415 The webpage for the script in book form from Newmarket Press]