Review: 25th Anniversary ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Blu-Ray/DVD is Essential for Serious Theatre Fans

Who would have imagined that a film based on an absurdist comedy about two minor characters from a 400-year-old tragedy would remain an existential escape 25 years after its initial release? The 1990 film adaption of Tom Stoppard's Tony-winning play ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, which the playwright both wrote and directed, doesn't maintain all of the charm and intellect of the stage version, but is able to retain much of the delightful wackiness that made the play a defining work in the history of the theatre in 1966. The 25th Anniversary Blu-ray/DVD hits shelves today, complete with a brand new interview with the playwright turned director.

The leads of Stoppard's play are the supporting characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern from William Shakespeare's HAMLET. As the school chums of the Danish prince, King Claudius commands them to discover why his nephew has been acting crazy since King Hamlet's death. Stoppard's action is essentially Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's story from HAMLET, in addition to what happens when they are off-stage in the Bard's play as well. Therefore, things that are only mentioned in HAMLET, are seen in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN. Scenes bounce back and forth between action familiar from the original play and mundane, yet esoteric conversations between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, as they wait for the main action to return to them.

While Shakespeare's play is often considered the epitome of dramatic poetry, Stoppard's work focuses on random events and occurrences that not only rarely make sense, but might not even matter in the lives of the characters. At one point, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are instantly transported from one scene to another with no logical explanation, leaving the characters to contemplate the boundaries of reality; a theme throughout the film.

The plot of Stoppard's screenplay varies slightly from the stage version, but the biggest difference comes in the fact that it simply isn't on stage; because of the physical limitations, the theatre is the place where words are most effective. In film, with nearly limitless options, words are often a secondary storytelling tool. Therefore, Stoppard's witty wordplay doesn't always land as impactfully on screen as it would on stage.

That being typed, the film cast is magnificent. Gary Oldman and Tim Roth play Rosentcrantz and Guildenstern, and provide ample amounts of the play's standard absurdism. Stoppard's titular characters in one major way are very much like their Shakespearean versions; unimportant. The beauty of the play and the film, is that they ultimately don't matter, and yet because of their earnest silliness, they are likeable nonetheless. Oldman and Roth are able to maintain that balance, delivering compelling performances throughout.

As the head of the Players who eventually perform the famous "play within a play scene," Richard Dreyfuss steals nearly every scene he is in. While the role isn't large, Dreyfuss delivers an iconic, over-the-top performance that makes you wonder why he hasn't done more comedy in his legendary career.

The Blu-ray/DVD also includes a handful of interviews with Stoppard and the three leads. While four of the five interviews have been seen in previous DVD releases, Stoppard did a new, in-depth interview for the 25th Anniversary in which he discusses everything from his early sketch of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN MEET KING LEAR, to how he came to both adapt and direct the film, and what he wishes had been done differently. It is a really fascinating look behind the curtain with one of the theatre's most innovative minds.

The 25th Anniversary Blu-ray/DVD of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD is an essential addition to the film library of any serious theatre fan.

Check out a trailer to the film below:

What do you think of the ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN film adaptation? Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. If you want to follow along with my "366 in 366" articles, you can check out #BWW366in366 on Twitter. Also, make sure to follow @BWWTVWorld on Twitter for all of the biggest news from the world of TV and movies.