My advice for any kid trying to read Shakespeare for the first time, is to try to read it out loud, it makes so much more sense that way. Of course, this advice usually gets me an eyeroll response.
I'm actually planning on playing Branagh's version of Much Ado and giving the kids the script to follow. I think the brilliance in his adaptations is he took Shakespeare from sounding as if it was something that had to be enunciated to the back rrrrrrrrow and returned it to a more conversational, "real" cadence.
I also have audio recordings of Branagh doing Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet on CD.
I'm actually planning on playing Branagh's version of Much Ado and giving the kids the script to follow. I think the brilliance in his adaptations is he took Shakespeare from sounding as if it was something that had to be enunciated to the back rrrrrrrrow and returned it to a more conversational, "real" cadence.
This is also an excellent idea. The only problem with some films, they cut out large sections of the text. I don't think that is as much of a problem with Branagh.
I tried watching Olivier's Henry V, and since it was a filming of a stage production as opposed to a re-creation along the lines of Branagh's version, I just couldn't deal with it any more and turned it off.
Also, I love Jacobi's Chorus. "Oh, for a muse of fire that wouldst ascend the brightest heaven of invention."
Compared to Achilles?
Achilles has problems.
No, Achilles is also a jerk. But I would much rather read about him being a jerk than Odysseus being all "Oh, woe, I wish I could get home to Penelope. Guess I'll have sex with Calypso to kill the time."
The Branagh Henry V and Much Ado are good adaptations of the text. I don't mind some cutting, usually, because Master Shakespeare is occasionally digressive and overly enamored of the language.
But I would much rather read about him being a jerk than Odysseus being all "Oh, woe, I wish I could get home to Penelope. Guess I'll have sex with Calypso to kill the time."
I don't really begrudge him that one. Besides, he only did that for like twenty years, right?
Right. And then he got home, and to celebrate, he killed everyone. Party at Odysseus' house!
OH, but the Olivier Henry changes from a stage production and transforms into real life. It's also a great contrast the the Branagh version. One is a stirring call to pride for an England suffering in the depths of WWII and one is a powerful and moving anti-war piece--and both serve the text beautifully.
