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Or A Midwinter's Tale in the U.S. Not that the title change helped it at the Stateside boxoffice. Who would expect a satisfying, sometimes touching, sometimes hilarious romp that resembles a Shakespearean comedy?

Kenneth Branagh wrote and directed. A sort've ragtag group of actors and crew attempts to stage "Hamlet." In a small village. In a church. During rehearsal, egos clash, the text is trashed. Will the show go on? A clever look at actors and acting. Antics backstage and on-stage are very funny. The entire cast is splendid, including Richard Briers, Michael Maloney, Celia Imrie, Richard Sessions, and Julia Sawalha. Joan Collins and Jennifer Saunders are present just enough.

The B&W cinematography is striking.

Such a pleasing, little-known (?) film. I can count on it--and Schlesinger's Cold Comfort Farm--to lift my spirits.