A Midwinter's Tale

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A Midwinter's Tale (also known as In the Bleak Midwinter) is a 1995 romantic comedy directed by Kenneth Branagh.

The Film Poster

"A Midwinter's Tale is a comic look at the actor's eternal despair." Beginning 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.^[1]

1 Synopsis
2 Trivia
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

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 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 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".

[edit] Trivia

Kenneth Branagh wrote many of the roles in the film for specific actors.
As of June 2006 the film is still not available on DVD although it is available on VHS and Laserdisc.
The film's script is available in book form as part of the Shooting Script Series from Newmarket Press.
Joan Collins received easily the best reviews in her 50 year career for her role as agent Margaretta D'Arcy.