Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

PG

1990

1h 58m

Comedy

Drama

List

61%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Rosencrantz (Gary Oldman) and Guildenstern (Tim Roth) ramble obliviously through Elsinore Castle and its environs as the events of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" unfold around them. While visiting their old friend Hamlet (Iain Glen), the pair engage in an ongoing philosophical debate about free will versus predestination, each trying to prove absurd positions through misbegotten experiments. Meanwhile, the clueless friends attempt to make sense of the peculiar goings-on in the castle.

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Critics Consensus

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead struggles in its journey from stage to screen, but a well-chosen trio of veteran talents keep things consistently watchable.

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Alec B

I think it is a good adaptation of the play (likely the best we will ever get) as the cast is pretty great, especially Oldman and Roth, and Stoppard actually does a good job translating the material to film. It is a shame he never tried directing a movie again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

Full Review

Joel H

It is obvious that the creators of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead have a thorough appreciation of William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. That being said, it's also necessary that the viewer have the same type of understanding or much of this movie will be lost on them. I'm glad I quickly brushed up on Hamlet before watching this adaptation. Additionally, the absurdist style is so bizarre that it's hard to keep up with what's going on. However, I did enjoy the witty wordplay. And both Gary Oldman & Tim Roth seem to relish in their respective roles. I'd like to see this production on stage one day.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

Full Review

Shioka O

If you are familiar with Hamlet, this might be more fun, but I'm not. Thoroughly dry and subtle. Absurdism and existentialism dialogs are fascinating so maybe I would love to read as book. I see Roth and Oldman's friendship.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/22

Full Review

William L

As a first-time viewer, the premise is certainly clever, but the final product is of a very distinct flavor that continues virtually unchanged throughout the entire runtime - a series of relatively dry observations of physical phenomena and philosophy with the occasional bit of wordplay or joke based around the source material. What results is in all likelihood a polarization of the audience - some will find the material consistent and engaging, while others will think it monotonous. (3/5)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/03/20

Full Review

steve d

Great adaptation with even better performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

My second favorite movie of all time. But the first time I watched it (on VHS, checked out from the video store, as a teenager with other nerdy teenage friends) I got to the end and thought What. Was. That. Then I took the cassette home and watched it again. And then I bought a VHS of it. And by about the 4th time, everything made sense and it felt like a linear, narrative film to me. And I still think it's great. Tom Stoppard FTW. Oh, but I also totally grew up to be a professor of theater, so....

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Tom Stoppard

Director

Gary Oldman

Rosencrantz

Tim Roth

Guildenstern

Richard Dreyfuss

The Player

Iain Glen

Hamlet

Joanna Roth

Ophelia

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Both Oldman and Roth turn in flat and uninspiring performances.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

As happens at the opera, one usually laughs (if one laughs at all) not because something is funny, but because one has successfully recognized that it is supposed to be funny.

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Matthew Rozsa

matthewrozsa.com

If you are familiar with "Hamlet" and can appreciate subtle jokes about the possibility that your entire life is pointless, this movie is a hoot.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 19, 2020

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Fans of the original stage play will most likely enjoy Stoppard's film version, but this treatment feels far less dynamic or lively.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 13, 2020

Full Review

Nathanael Hood

The Retro Set

...the film is a failure.

Rated: 4/10

Dec 28, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Rosencrantz (Gary Oldman) and Guildenstern (Tim Roth) ramble obliviously through Elsinore Castle and its environs as the events of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" unfold around them. While visiting their old friend Hamlet (Iain Glen), the pair engage in an ongoing philosophical debate about free will versus predestination, each trying to prove absurd positions through misbegotten experiments. Meanwhile, the clueless friends attempt to make sense of the peculiar goings-on in the castle.

Director: Tom Stoppard
Screenwriter: Tom Stoppard
Production Co: Brandenburg Productions, Inc.
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $55.0K
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround

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