Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Play trailer

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

PG

1990

1h 58m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

02/09/2006

Both Oldman and Roth turn in flat and uninspiring performances.

Go to Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

05/20/2003

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.

Go to Full Review

Kathleen Maher

Austin Chronicle

01/01/2000

3/5

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may be dead, but they do save the day.

Go to Full Review

Matthew Rozsa

matthewrozsa.com

12/19/2020

4/4

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.

Go to Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

10/13/2020

2.5/5

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

Go to Full Review

Nathanael Hood

The Retro Set

12/28/2018

4/10

...the film is a failure.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Ari V

Feb 6

Some Who's On First type wordplay gags, a little good old fashioned british gayetry, some weak philosophy and 50s avante garde imitations, but feels relatively thin all in all. Even with the solid acting delivery.

See more

James A

Feb 21

A bit intellectual and dry, but had many moments that show the love for the source material (both sources). It is certainly not a lazy watch.

See more

Alec B

@Alec97 04/25/2024

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.

See more

Joel H

02/13/2024

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.

See more

Shioka O

11/19/2022

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.

See more

William L

09/03/2020

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)

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tom Stoppard

Director

Gary Oldman

Rosencrantz

Tim Roth

Guildenstern

Richard Dreyfuss

The Player

Iain Glen

Hamlet

Joanna Roth

Ophelia

Mr. North

50%

38%

Mr. North

Watchlist

Queen of Hearts

80%

75%

Queen of Hearts

Watchlist

Driving Miss Daisy

85%

81%

Driving Miss Daisy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Driving Miss Daisy

We Think the World of You

80%

35%

We Think the World of You

Watchlist

Turner & Hooch

50%

52%

Turner & Hooch

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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
Producer: Emanuel Azenberg, Michael Brandman
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

Most Popular at Home Now