The movie is about an out of work actor named Joe, played by Michael Maloney (Hamlet), who volunteers to try and save his sister's church by organizing a Christmas production of Hamlet.

The picture stars director Branagh's usual rabble of thespians, including Richard Briers (Peter Pan), Nicholas Farrell (Charlotte Gray) and Mark Hadfield (Frankenstein). Also making notable humorous appearances are Joan Collins and Jennifer Saunders (BBC's Absolutely Fabulous).

"A Mid-Winter's Tale" has some of the most fitting British humor I've seen in a movie; very much in the vein of Richard Curtis or Ben Elton. Branagh's story was simple, but the dynamics between characters was the glue for this ensemble piece.

Branagh's cast was also very well put together. Almost every one of the director's choices were theatrically trained, which worked perfectly since they were playing theatrical people.

I also liked how the movie pokes fun at the usual antics that happen on small time theatre productions, like community theatre.

As a director, Branagh made an interesting choice to shoot the picture in black and white, even though I think it was due to the movie's shallow budget; however, the sharp contrasts made the 'Hamlet' look of the production very interesting for a comedy.

Overall, "A Mid-Winter's Tale" is the funniest work Branagh has done, even though only four people saw it in the cinemas, me and friend/producer Scott (Bechberger) were two of them.

If you like British comedy, this movie will have you roaring with very touching characters who grow and learn, played by a solid set of actors.

I just feel so bad to know, one of Branagh's best movies made such little profit, distributors refuse to even put it on DVD, seeing it as a waste of money. It is available on VHS, but you have to get it shipped over from the UK. Poor little movie.