People are voting emotionally.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This is my favorite filmed version of Twelfth Night -On DVD at last! Branagh's production captures both the humor and the melancholy of the play, with excellent performances all around and a stand-out performance by the late, great, Richard Briers as Malvolio. Patrick Doyle (along with an assist from Paul McCartney) provides an atmospheric score to accompany the shifting moods, with several songs sung by Feste the Fool (Anton Lesser in one of his best performances). The Dickensian setting compliments the story well, while purists will rejoice that the text of the play is complete. The DVD also features an informative, behind-the-scenes interview with Kenneth Branagh talking about the stage production and the play itself. Buy a copy for yourself, and a few more as gifts for friends -This is a real treat!

I always did consider Branagh's Twelfth Night the best version of Shakespeare's play(my favourite actually as of now of his plays, mainly because it was one of my first ones along with Macbeth). Then just today I saw the 1980 BBC version, which ties with this version also. Trevor Nunn's film is also good, very well made with a great cast, and the 1987 Australia version is good if very hard to find. In terms of production values, I may just prefer the 1980 version and the autumnal feel of Nunn's film, but the melancholic atmosphere added a whole new dimension to the play that in my opinion Nunn's lacked. Branagh's version also captures the sexual and social themes of Twelfth Night better than the Nunn film(not bringing that film down, just explaining why I prefer Branagh's account). Despite the realistic-looking production values and melancholic atmosphere, the comedy and wit of the play is still there with little if anything left wanting, and while harsh at first the music does calm down and fits well overall. The cast are wonderful, with the standouts being Anton Lesser's scene-stealing Feste and Richard Briers' indignant and not too self-pitying Malvolio, the butt of the clownery. James Saxon and James Simmons are very amusing also as Sirs Toby and Andrew, and Abigail McKern's Maria is very good also. Christopher Hollis is a dashing Sebastian, as Viola Frances Barber, apart from in the Inspector Morse episode she starred in, has rarely looked more radiant and Caroline Langrische is innocent, moving and intellectual as Olivia. Christopher Ravenscroft impresses as Orsino, not resorting too much to buffoonery and I agree he does make us believe he knows that Cesario is female and brings a lot of dimension to that scene. There are a couple of anachronistic things, like with the Christmas Tree, but I for me really enjoyed that particular scene and am willing to overlook any discrepancies. A wonderful Twelfth Night indeed. 10/10 Bethany Cox

My senior English class read the play and watched the film simultaneously and I have to say that (although at first I was put off by the harsh music, and the set and costumes that reminded me too much of Mary Martin's Peter Pan) I really got into it. I thought all the acting was great, especially Maria, Toby, Andrew, Viola and Malvolio, but Anton Lesser as the clown, Feste, stole the show. He was definitely the most memorable character. My only complaint, really, is that sometimes the actors spoke the lines a little too fast. I highly suggest this to anyone that likes theater or Shakespeare.****/*****

I've been a Shakespeare fan since I can remember, and this is one of the Bard's all time best. Anton Lesser is stunning as Feste (and he sings throughout, a wonderful tenor!) Well directed by Ken Branagh, though when I first put the tape in, I was expecting him to be onscreen, too. (Pout, pout...) Incredible performances by everyone involved, especially liked Caroline Langrishe (Olivia); perfectly cast, as well as Frances Barber (Viola). Great onscreen chemistry. So far I haven't found it for sale, only available to rent through the local library.