As far as I know this was adapted from a theatre play in Czechoslovakia. This is clearly visible in a very positive way as the storytelling doesn't lose the battle against the effects! It is Shakespeare's Hamlet as seen from the viewpoint of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern (read Hamlet - then you'll know who they are *smile*) - they don't know 'why have been called' nor really who's who ... but they have come! Through a tour de force of the most hilarious, deep, intelligent, and sharp dialogue, Tom Stoppard, via the brilliant actors Oldman, Roth and Dreyfuss (and the rest of the cast as well, really!), brings the viewer into what to me is one of the most brain-expanding film-experiences that I have ever been honoured to witness! One of my top-5 films ever!!