PRINCIPAL photography on Kenneth Branagh's epic film of Hamlet promising the full text and shooting on 70 mm is into its final weeks at Shepperton Studios outside London and on English locations.

Branagh himself, of course, takes the title role and among the eclectic international cast are Derek Jacobi (as Claudius), Julie Christie (Gertrude), Kate Winslet (Ophelia), Richard Briers (Polonius), Michael Maloney (Laertes) and Brian Blessed (the Ghost).

The cast also features Gerard Depardieu (Reynaldo), Robin Williams (Osric), Jack Lemmon (Marcellus), Rufus Sewell (Fortinbras), Judi Dench (Hecuba), Charlton Heston (The Player King), Rosemary Harris (The Player Queen), Nicholas Farrell (Horatio), John Gielgud (Priam), Ian McElhinney (Barnardo), John Mills (Old Norway), Tim Spall (Rosencrantz), Reece Dinsdale (Guildenstern), Billy Crystal (First Gravedigger) and Ken Dodd (Yorick).