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Kenneth Branagh Trivia Quiz

I know I am not the only fan of this great British actor. I was surprised to find there were no quizzes about him here, so I made my own. Hope you enjoy it!

A multiple-choice quiz by Elanor. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Elanor

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
104,017

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
1243

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. In which country of the United Kingdom was Kenneth Branagh born? Hint

England

Northern Ireland

Wales

Scotland

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Question 2 of 15

2. Kenneth Branagh showed an early aptitude for drama, and starred in a school production of "Toad of Toad Hall." Which drama college did he later attend? Hint

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

Central School of Speech and Drama

Bristol Old Vic

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Question 3 of 15

3. Kenneth Branagh's breakthrough performance in the UK was in the BBC's "Fortunes of War", a drama set during the Second World War. What was Ken's character's name? Hint

Prince Yakimov

Guy Pringle

Bill Castlebar

Clarence Lawson

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Question 4 of 15

4. It was on the set of "Fortunes of War" that Kenneth Branagh met his future wife. Her name? Hint

Emma Thompson

Sophie Thompson

Caroline Langrishe

Helena Bonham Carter

5. Ken's first major stage role was with the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) in Stratford. He played a king, whom he was also to portray on film a few years later, a role which earnt him an Academy Award nomination. Which king? Hint

Richard III

Henry V

Henry VI

Hamlet

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Question 6 of 15

6. Kenneth Branagh began his own theatre company in 1987. The first production was Branagh's own play, "Public Enemy". Later that year, the company went on tour with three of Shakespeare's plays, "Much Ado About Nothing", "As You Like It" and "Hamlet". Branagh gathered a fine group of actors and directors for these plays, and the media dubbed him "the new Olivier", much to his disgust. What was the name of his new company? Hint

Rewind

Renewal

Renaissance

Rebirth

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Question 7 of 15

7. Kenneth Branagh starred with his wife in several films. Which of these movies did not feature both of them? Hint

"Sense and Sensibility"

"Dead Again"

"Much Ado About Nothing"

"Peter's Friends"

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Question 8 of 15

8. What role did Kenneth Branagh play in the making of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein"? Hint

He directed and co-produced

He starred, directed and adapted the screenplay

He directed and starred

He directed, starred and co-produced

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Question 9 of 15

9. In 1996 Kenneth Branagh adapted, directed and starred in a movie version of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. It was not a great hit in cinemas, as it lasted for over four hours. However, it was a critical success, and has become popular on video and DVD. The play? Hint

"Othello"

"Henry V"

"Hamlet"

"Much Ado About Nothing"

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Question 10 of 15

10. In which early movie of Kenneth Branagh's did he play an archeologist, working in a small English village? Hint

"Peter's Friends"

"A Month in the Country"

"Coming Through"

"High Season"

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Question 11 of 15

11. In which movie series has Kenneth Branagh played a part? Hint

"Lord of The Rings"

"Terminator"

"Star Wars"

"Harry Potter"

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Question 12 of 15

12. In which film, released in 2002, does Ken play a civil servant involved in the abduction of three young girls from their families? Hint

"High Season"

"How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog"

"Rabbit Proof Fence"

"Swing Kids"

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Question 13 of 15

13. Which British hero did Kenneth Branagh portray in a TV series in 2002? Hint

Sir Ernest Shackleton

Admiral Nelson

Sir Robert Scott

Charles Dickens

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Question 14 of 15

14. In 2001 Kenneth Branagh played a charming, charismatic and thoroughly evil army general in the TV movie "Conspiracy". In which historical period was it set? Hint

World War II

The Napoleonic Wars

World War I

The Gulf War

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Question 15 of 15

15. In 2001-2002, Kenneth Branagh directed "The Play What I Wrote" for London's West End. It is a touching and hilarious tribute to which well-known and well-loved British double-act? Hint

Little and Large

French and Saunders

Cleese and Palin

Morecambe and Wise

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 09 2024 : Guest 174: 8/15
Mar 08 2024 : Guest 194: 7/15

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which country of the United Kingdom was Kenneth Branagh born?

Answer: Northern Ireland

Despite his perfect English accent, Ken was born in Belfast (on December 10th, 1960). According to his autobiography, he had a very strong Belfast accent until the family moved to England when he was nine years old.

2. Kenneth Branagh showed an early aptitude for drama, and starred in a school production of "Toad of Toad Hall." Which drama college did he later attend?

Answer: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

While at RADA, Ken won the Bancroft Gold Medal. He actually won a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama as well as RADA, but chose the latter.

3. Kenneth Branagh's breakthrough performance in the UK was in the BBC's "Fortunes of War", a drama set during the Second World War. What was Ken's character's name?

Answer: Guy Pringle

The others were all characters in the series too. "Fortunes of War" was first shown in the UK in 1987, and was adapted from the semi-autobiographical books of Olivia Manning. It followed the story of newly-weds Guy and Harriet, as they live in war-torn Romania, Greece, and Egypt. I still have the tape (much played) that I recorded from the TV all those years ago.

4. It was on the set of "Fortunes of War" that Kenneth Branagh met his future wife. Her name?

Answer: Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson played his screen wife, Harriet. The couple married in 1989. Caroline Langrishe played a small role in "Fortunes of War" and also starred as Olivia in Ken's stage production of "Twelfth Night". Helena Bonham Carter was linked to him later, when she starred in his film of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein". Sophie Thompson, Emma's sister, played several roles in Branagh's first major tour of Shakespearean plays in 1987 to 1988.

Answer: Henry V

Ken was 23 when he starred with the RSC for the first time. After that year, he set up his own theatre company, Renaissance, with friend David Parfitt. He played Richard III on stage in 2002, for the Sheffield Crucible Theatre.

Answer: Renaissance

I have vivid memories of Ken playing Touchstone in "As You Like It" - he wore a bright orange checked suit. On the night I went, he was supposed to carry Sophie Thompson offstage, but walked right into a cut-out tree which promptly fell over, and he then dropped her. Despite that, the shows were brilliant!

7. Kenneth Branagh starred with his wife in several films. Which of these movies did not feature both of them?

Answer: "Sense and Sensibility"

"Ken & Em" worked together on many projects during the late 1980s and early 1990s. "Much Ado About Nothing" was perhaps their most successful venture. They also starred together in a stage revival of John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger". "Sense and Sensibility", the film of Jane Austen's novel, was Emma Thompson's project.

She won an Academy Award for her screenplay, but Ken was in no way connected to the movie.

8. What role did Kenneth Branagh play in the making of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein"?

Answer: He directed, starred and co-produced

Ken has directed and produced many films. This 1994 film was not a critical success, but has won many fans since it was released.

Answer: "Hamlet"

The film looks stunning, and the actors' performances are consistently very high. Kenneth Branagh has played the troubled Dane on stage three times - in 1984 for the RSC, in 1987 for Renaissance, and again in 1992-3 for the RSC. I didn't see his first Hamlet, but the other two were very good productions, though the later interpretation was more interesting, in my opinion.

10. In which early movie of Kenneth Branagh's did he play an archeologist, working in a small English village?

Answer: "A Month in the Country"

"A Month in the Country" was a delightful film, released in 1987. Set in the months following the end of the First World War, Branagh played Charles Moon. He co-starred with a very young Colin Firth, who was later to become more well known as Mr Darcy in the BBC's "Pride And Prejudice". The movie is well worth checking out.

11. In which movie series has Kenneth Branagh played a part?

Answer: "Harry Potter"

Ken played Gilderoy Lockhart in the second Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". His character is dashing, yet vain and narcissistic. He steals the show.

12. In which film, released in 2002, does Ken play a civil servant involved in the abduction of three young girls from their families?

Answer: "Rabbit Proof Fence"

Again, these are all films with which Branagh has been involved. "Rabbit Proof Fence" is the moving story of three Aboriginal girls who are taken from their families and placed as servants in a white family in Australia. They decide to escape and attempt to return to their homes, and follow the rabbit-proof fence that leads the many hundred mile journey home.

13. Which British hero did Kenneth Branagh portray in a TV series in 2002?

Answer: Sir Ernest Shackleton

Shackleton led an ill-fated exedition to cross the South Pole in 1914. His ship, the Endurance, was trapped in the ice, and sank. However, Shackleton brought all his men home alive, after many months of great hardship and danger.

14. In 2001 Kenneth Branagh played a charming, charismatic and thoroughly evil army general in the TV movie "Conspiracy". In which historical period was it set?

Answer: World War II

Branagh's character was attempting to persuade others to accept his plan for extermination of the Jews from Europe. The play was based on secret minutes that survived from the real-life meeting which took place in Wannsee between senior Nazi officials in 1942. The movie was horrific and gripping, and Ken's portrayal of charming and charismatic evil earnt him an Emmy Award.

15. In 2001-2002, Kenneth Branagh directed "The Play What I Wrote" for London's West End. It is a touching and hilarious tribute to which well-known and well-loved British double-act?

Answer: Morecambe and Wise

"The Play What I Wrote" features a different star of stage or screen each night, alongside the main actors. The title is a reference to Ernie Wise's frequent pleas to his famous guests to play a part in "the play what I wrote". It won an Olivier Award in 2002 for Best New Comedy.

Source: Author Elanor

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor JuniorTheJaws before going online.
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