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Hamlet

Play trailer Poster for Hamlet 1964 3h 19m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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In this filmed Broadway version of Shakespeare's play, in which the actors perform without period sets or costumes, young Hamlet (Richard Burton) is distraught after the death of his father, the king of Denmark. Hamlet is suspicious that the new king, his uncle, orchestrated his father's death in order to claim the throne and the queen's hand. Hamlet embarks on a quest for vengeance, and only tragic consequences follow -- including the death of his mother, Gertrude (Eileen Herlie).

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This version films a 1964 stage performance of the play, featuring Richard Burton in the title role. The film thus failed to employ the best abilities of film to help suspend disbelief, and the actors necessarily used stage voices. Burton played the role with less subtlety than Olivier, and overly often laughed at his lines. That the actors were costumed in 1960s contemporary clothing further distracts. This film serves mostly as a historical record, and a foil against which to compare other editions. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member I love Burton's Hamlet. He avoided the Freudian Hamlet and played a avenger's Hamlet. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Now that is how Shakespeare is done.Often imitated, but nobody performs it quite like Richard Burton. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member I've tried watching this version of Hamlet at least three times, and I can never finish it. Essentially a filmed stage performance, it loses the thrill of live theater without gaining any of the intimacy of film. As a result, Burton seems to yell and scream his way through lines that would need such projection in a theater, but come across as histrionic on the small screen. I'll keep trying it, however. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member five stars if only comparing to other film versions of Hamlet. Burton does an amazing job in this extremely difficult role. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Cronyn as Polonius is unbelievable; it seriously doesn't get much better. Burton is entertaining if not always true to the character of Hamlet (as I read him). Overall, a fine performace (I actually really like the minimalist stage setting) but...it is just a filmed stage performance. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Hamlet

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Cast & Crew

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Bill Colleran

Director

John Gielgud

Director

Richard Burton

Hamlet

Hume Cronyn

Polonius

Eileen Herlie

Gertrude

Alfred Drake

Claudius
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Hamlet

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this filmed Broadway version of Shakespeare's play, in which the actors perform without period sets or costumes, young Hamlet (Richard Burton) is distraught after the death of his father, the king of Denmark. Hamlet is suspicious that the new king, his uncle, orchestrated his father's death in order to claim the throne and the queen's hand. Hamlet embarks on a quest for vengeance, and only tragic consequences follow -- including the death of his mother, Gertrude (Eileen Herlie).
Director
Bill Colleran, John Gielgud
Producer
Alfred W. Crown, John Heyman
Production Co
Theatrofilm, Polyphony Digital
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
3h 19m