Hamlet

Starring:Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Sam Shepard, Diane Venora, Bill Murray, Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, Karl Geary, Paula Malcomson, Steve Zahn, Dechen Thurman, Rome Neal, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Bartel, Casey Affleck, Robert Thurman, Tim Blake Nelson, John Wills Martin, Bernadette Jurkowski, John Gielgud
Director: Michael Almereyda
Studio: Miramax
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Perhaps the least important thing about this latest film version of Shakespeare's masterpiece is its setting in modern-day New York. Yes, such locales as the Guggenheim Museum are used wittily; answering machines and faxes are logically worked into the plot; and it was both inspired and entirely appropriate to make the prince of Denmark a moody, introspective filmmaker whose avant-garde collages provide the context for some of his famous monologues. All of which would be so much pleasantly humorous eye-candy if it didn't come hand in hand with a sympathy for and understanding of this remarkable cast of characters. For that, ultimately, is what makes Michael Almereyda's Hamlet such a delight to watch. Forget that the immortal rumination on suicide is placed in a Blockbuster Video aisle and notice instead how Ethan Hawke's own youthful, callow arrogance makes Hamlet's vacillations believable. And how the comical but infantilizing way Bill Murray's Polonius dotes upon his daughter Ophelia (Julia Stiles)--and her mute acceptance of his attentions--lead her to thoughts of a watery grave even before her bout of madness. And also notice how much Claudius truly does love Gertrude (when gazing at her, Kyle MacLachlan's face relaxes from its usual plasticity) and how Sam Shepard's ghost is less vengeful or tortured than stiffened by remorse. These are the shining moments of invention in Almereyda's bold updating of the play, and they are why this will be a film to watch and enjoy long after its setting has made it as much a period piece as Olivier's adaptation, with its broodingly lit castle, or Branagh's, with its gleaming 19th-century court. --Bruce Reid
Description
Hot Hollywood star Ethan Hawke (TRAINING DAY) is joined by Julia Stiles (10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU) and Bill Murray (LOST IN TRANSLATION) in a hip, thoroughly contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's epic story of passion, betrayal, and revenge! The president of the Denmark Corporation is dead ... and already his wife is remarried to the man suspected of his murder! Nobody is more troubled than her son, Hamlet (Hawke). Now, after this hostile takeover, trust is impossible, passion is on the rise, and revenge is in the air! Also featuring Kyle MacLachlan (ONE NIGHT STAND), Liev Schreiber (SCREAM 3), Diane Venora (THE INSIDER), and Sam Shepard (THE PELICAN BRIEF) in an outstanding ensemble -- the power of Shakespeare's timeless words is matched by the stunningly modern look and feel of this widely acclaimed, highly entertaining big-screen event!

William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Average customer rating:

Prepare thyself

One of the best presentation of a Shakespeare play

The Full-length Hamlet...

Where Are The Grace Notes?

Excellent

William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Richard Attenborough , David Blair , Brian Blessed , Kenneth Branagh , and Richard Briers
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JLCI
Release Date: 2007-08-14

Amazon.com

Kenneth Branagh's four-hour production of Shakespeare's full text for Hamlet is visually lush (shot in 70mm, which is rarely done) and full of fascinating story moments that normally get cut from shorter stage versions. (Your idea of what kind of fellow Polonius is may change quite a bit.) The unexpurgated approach is truly enlightening, and Branagh intermittently succeeds at giving familiar moments in the drama an original cinematic spin, including Hamlet's spooky confrontation with his father's ghost (Brian Blessed). (Branagh also imposes some Hollywood glitter on the proceedings by casting the likes of Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Charlton Heston, and Jack Lemmon in the smaller parts.) The pre-Titanic Kate Winslet is very good as the doomed Ophelia, and Derek Jacobi delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance as Claudius, whose character is definitely filled out by the restored material. Branagh's own performance is a little revisionist--some viewers have quibbled with it while others seem fine with it. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Prepare thyself.......2007-06-25

OK...let me get my complaints outta the way, the things that make this film loose a star, first and foremost. After all, it's only my opinion.

I hate the way the Ghost is handled. Too literal...too much is shown. I prefer Zeff's take on the ghost to anyone's. Now that was creepy. This isn't. Also, Branagh has the WORST taste in music in all of Europe. It's embarrassing.

But this is a Hamlet to be seen. It's like no other. Yes, yes...the actors are fantastic, and it is beautiful to behold, like other Hamlets. Branagh's special device... and self challenge for which I applaud him, is to do the entire play. Every word. The whole shebang. In a world where even ABT is editing down their great works of 19th century entertainment, so it won't last longer than your average film I guess, this film is refreshing.

One must prepare for it. It's like going to see Wagner's "Ring" or a Eugene O'Neill play.... you know it's going to be long and intricate. You may become bored at times, but you must know you won't be for long before things pick up again, and paying attention has great rewards. Resolve yourself to meet it halfway. Also, like a Wagner opera, you must accept it for what it is, warts and all. Like a Bach Passion, or a Beethoven string quartet, it is a universe of its own. It is full of nooks and crannies. It is a complete world.

This is the great thing about this version of Hamlet. It's not tidied up for modern sensibilities of theatre. It's sprawling and expansive. The threat from Fortinbras and the entire "players" scene and the scenes on the ship to England....these tentacles from the main plot only add to the complete world of "Hamlet". It's wonderful! It puts it on par with "Lear" [which I've always though better]. It is epic. Art! With a capital "A".

One of the best presentation of a Shakespeare play.......2007-06-22

I had the opportunity to see this film during limited premiere back in December 25, 1996. I still have the program from that time. The 3 theatres to have the honors were The Paris Theatre in New York, The Royal Theatre in Los Angeles and The York Theatre in Toronto. These theatre showed the film in its entirety with one intermission of about 10 minutes. When it went nationwide the following January 24, 1997, it was edited and shorten by about 1 hour.

I must say, watching it for the first time was exciting. The film was amazing and I was intrigue throughout. Keep in mind I was still a young high school student when I first saw this. I enjoyed every aspect of it and did not want to see it end. When the film was first released on DVD or LD, I rented it and it was still good but there is nothing like experiencing it at the theatre and presented the way it was meant to be seen.

The Full-length Hamlet..........2007-06-10

1997's "William Shakespeare's Hamlet" is a full-length production of the original play, running to a daunting but entirely worthwhile four hours.

Kenneth Branagh, veteran of earlier screen productions of "Henry V" and "Much Ado About Nothing", is entirely credible as the melancholy Prince of Denmark, suspecting subterfuge in his father's murder and his mother's rapid remarriage. His delivery of Hamlet's signature sililoquy in a hall of mirrors is his own but excellent. The length of the production allows for a full exploration of Hamlet's behavior and of his plan for revenge; Branagh deserves credit for sustaining the ambiguity of his character throughout. His energy drives what might otherwise have become an exhausting movie, which even includes the timely arrival of the Norwegian Army at the end of the climactic sword fight between Hamlet and Ophelia's brother.

Branagh is supported by an absolutely stellar cast of "name" actors and actresses, including Kate Winslet as the unfortunate Ophelia. Noticing actors like Robin Williams and Jack Lemon in their minor roles becomes almost a little distracting as the movie progresses.

The length of the movie allows for the close exploration of the lavish sets; Blenheim Palace in England stands in for the Elsinore of the play. Period costumes and furnishings are detailed and everywhere in evidence.

This movie is most highly recommended to fans of Shakespeare and of Hamlet, who will be rewarded with an entertaining and quality effort for the investment of time.

Where Are The Grace Notes?.......2007-05-24

I know I'm going to catch hell for this review, but I've tried to watch Branagh's Hamlet twice and quit half way through both times. This is not meant pejoratively, but Branagh's Hamlet is an assault on the senses. He brays and he mews and he mugs for the camera. Where are the grace notes? How can the Dane be such an unsympathetic character? Winslet's Ophelia is a raving hysteric, Polonius a caricature of a hypocrite, Lemmon woefully miscast, his line readings leaden. The soundtrack, always intrusive, at time overwhelms the dialogue. Bigger is not necessarily better. Give me Olivier, even Gibson, any day.

Excellent.......2007-05-21

Though quite lengthy, this version of Hamlet is amazing. Kenneth Branah does a wonderful job acting as Hamlet and Kate Winslet's performance of Olivia is equally appealing. This age old story of trechery, pride, and revenge comes to life in this movie and I would reccomend it to anyone.

Average customer rating:

Shakespear at it's best
Good enjoyable interpretation.
Mel Gibson Does Shakespeare...
Odd ingredients make maybe the most accessible hamlet
Hamlet as he should be played

Hamlet
Starring: Mel Gibson , Glenn Close , Alan Bates , Paul Scofield , and Ian Holm
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00019072G
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Amazon.com essential video

Franco Zeffirelli's stripped-down, two-hour version of Shakespeare's play stars Mel Gibson as a rather robust version of the ambivalent Danish prince. Gibson is much better in the part than many critics have admitted, his powers of clarity doing much to make this particular Hamlet more accessible than several other filmed versions. The supporting cast is outstanding, including Glenn Close as Gertrude, Alan Bates as Claudius, Ian Holm as Polonius, and Helena Bonham Carter as Ophelia. Zeffirelli's vigorous direction employs a lively camera style that nicely alters the viewer's preconceptions about the way Hamlet should look. --Tom Keogh

Description

Treachery. Madness. Murder. The story of Hamlet has been told for 400 years...but it's never been told like this! Mel Gibson (the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon films) takes on his richest part to date, the title role in a dynamic new version of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet, Jesus of Nazareth), the location-shot production has a sumptuous look that won Academy Award nominations for Art Direction and Costume Design. Gibson plays the prince of medieval-era Denmark, who senses treachery behind his royal father's death. Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons) plays Hamlet's mother Gertrude, all too dangerously entangled in that treachery. A brilliant supporting cast, including Alan Bates as Claudius, Paul Scofield as the ghost of Hamlet's father, Ian Holm as Polonius and Helena Bonham-Carter as Ophelia, adds its powerful presence to this immortal tale of high adventure and evil deeds. Big, bold and heroic, this is a vivid and virile Hamlet for the modern age and all time.

Customer Reviews:

Shakespear at it's best.......2007-06-08

Stunning acting by Mel Gibson, Shakespearian art hasn't been lost from this DvD a must buy if you have read the story before or just getting into Shakespeare. Truly a intellectual movie you will watch for years to come.

-SBJ

Good enjoyable interpretation........2007-06-04

I liked this version of the tragic prince's tale. As someone who's spent a lot of time studying Hamlet, the portrayal of the closet scene irritated me, but is entirely forgivable. The acting is very good, though the editing and arrangement of the script might throw you for a loop. If you're not a student who's read the play umpteen times, you should be fine though. Regardless, it's very enjoyable, and definitely worth the price.

Mel Gibson Does Shakespeare..........2007-06-02

1991's "Hamlet" featured action star Mel Gibson as the melancholy Danish Prince of the title of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. Gibson, whose resume was based on the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon franchises at that time, is surprisingly effective in a role thought be a stretch. Director Franco Zeffirelli had the good sense to let Gibson's energetic performance drive the pacing of a very brisk two-hour version of the story. The result is a very accessible production about murder and revenge in the Danish Royal Family, and a vigorous portrayal of the normally languid and moody Hamlet.

Zeffirelli's movie features beautiful location shooting, excellent costumes, and an extremely talented supporting cast, lead by Glenn Close as Hamlet's mother Gertrude, Alan Bates as the treacherous step-father, and Helena Bonham-Carter as the doomed Ophelia. At the center is Hamlet, as played by Gibson, visibly disturbed in his madness over his father's death, and movingly emotional in his approach to his mother and to Ophelia.

This movie is highly recommended as a different but highly entertaining version of Hamlet. It may appeal most to those without preconceived notions about how Hamlet should be portrayed, or to those who know Mel Gibson only from his later films.

Odd ingredients make maybe the most accessible hamlet .......2007-05-31

I laughed my head off when I was told that Mel Gibson had made a version of Hamlet. But even though casting a then action star as the meloncholy dane made as much sense as casting Charlie Sheen as King Lear, Gibson actually pulls it off, making for a more accessible and relateable Hamlet without cheapening or selling-out the material. The rest of the cast is perfectly acceptable: Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Ian Holm etc. And director Zeffirelli (already a notch on his belt with a definitive version of Romeo & Juliet) brings an interesting visual style to the mix: Matching the film to a rugid, harsh, grey, landscape the mirrors the rugid, harsh, grey content of the film to an effect that would have made Igmar Bergman proud (along with an, of course, wonderful Ennio Morricone score). The play is abridged which means that there isn't nearly enough of (amoung others) Helena Bonham Carter's Ophelia, but I suppose it's better to wish you could spend more time with someone than for them to wear out their welcome.

Hamlet as he should be played.......2007-05-27

I saw this in the theater in 1991. I was familiar with the play and with the way I was taught to understand Hamlet. The problem was that I never believed that the traditional interpretation of Hamlet, as a fairly weak and troubled youth, as it did not seem right to me.

This Hamlet is troubled, no doubt. However, he is wracked with anger and pain. His rage bubbles forth in a sometimes psychotic set of behaviors which always keeps its hold on reality. He is suicidal, but he intends to take any and all villians with him.

This made sense to me. This is how I really saw Hamlet. Mel Gibson does this edge of crazy perfectly. He is not weak, but tortured and seeking revenge.

Furthermore, he makes the traditional script (not completely faithful, but very close) very understandable. Even the novice will be able to understand what he is saying after the rhythym of the piece is understood. To me, this means Gibson understands the role. When Shakespeare is not understood by the audience, it is somebody on the production side that does not get the role.

I understand why critics don't like this Hamlet, but in my opinion it is the most accurate version yet on film.

If you know someone you wish to initiate into the Shakespeare circle, view this film with them.

Average customer rating:

Nice little movie
Yiddishe kvetch. . .
Women, Talking About Feelings; Not a Story to be Found
A warm and funny relationship movie
Nice Shoes

In Her Shoes (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Cameron Diaz , Anson Mount , Toni Collette , Shirley MacLaine , and Richard Burgi
Director: Curtis Hanson
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000CCW2P2
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Amazon.com

In Her Shoes just gets better and better as it goes along. As adapted by Erin Brockovich screenwriter Susannah Grant, this is one of those rare movies that actually improves on its source material (Jennifer Weiner's "chick lit" bestseller), with thoughtful direction by Curtis Hanson, the L.A. Confidential Oscar®-winner who approaches any chosen genre with Hawksian versatility. At first it seems like Weiner's novel might yield a standard melodrama of sibling rivalry, but the polar opposition of smart, plain-looking Philadelphia lawyer Rose (the always-excellent Toni Collette) and her sexy, illiterate, irresponsible sister Maggie (Cameron Diaz) is just the starting point. In Her Shoes becomes a moving, richly developed character study that deals with painful loss, long-term guilt, negative self-image, and the discovery of a heretofore unknown grandmother named Ella (played with delicate nuance by Shirley MacLaine), whose re-entry into the sisters' lives sets the stage for the well-earned emotions of a satisfying reconciliation. As Maggie takes stock of her dismal life while staying with Ella at a Florida "retirement home for active seniors," Hanson never condescends to these likable characters, and never goes for the easy laughs in a setting that could have devolved into Cocoon-like comedy. The movie's all the more endearing for treating its male characters (played by Mark Feuerstein, Ken Howard, and Richard Burgi) with equal depth and sympathy, further enhancing a classy tearjerker that viewers of both genders can thoroughly enjoy. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine "all deserve Oscars®"(WCBC-TV) for their hilarious and moving performances in "the most rewarding family comedy since Terms of Endearment." (New York Magazine) Flirty, flaky party girl Maggie (Diaz) and plain, dependable lawyer Rose (Collette) are sisters, best friends and bitter rivals who seem to have only two things in common: DNA and size 8 1/2 feet. Only when their love-hate relationship veers towards the hate end of the spectrum do they accidentally discover they also share a long-lost grandmother (MacLaine) who enriches their lives and helps them make peace with each other—and themselves!

Customer Reviews:

Nice little movie.......2007-06-14

What brings this chick flick over the top is Cameron Diaz. It's a great performance by her and she carries the movie. I didn't expect that. The only other time I remember her being almost this good was in "Being John Malkovich" and of course "Something About Mary". She is a good actress but she does pick bad roles sometimes, that's her flaw.

The movie itself is way better than I ever expected it to be. Most chick flicks let me down with sappiness but "In Her Shoes" rises way above any of that. The director Curtis Hanson lets each scene breath and doesn't rush things. Characters get a chance to express themselves through nice dialogue and subtle conversations. We really get to know these people. Shirley MacLaine as the grandmother of the two sisters brings warmth and intelligence to every scene she's in. There are some funny moments but mostly this is a drama. There are some very touching scenes, especially with Diaz and an old man in a nursing home whom she befriends.

There a few flaws here and there, like one too many plot coincidences, and an over-the-top portrayal of the mother-in-law, but nothing bad enough to make a difference. Toni Collette and all the other actors also do a great job. I'm a guy and I'm a little addicted to this movie, I've seen it a few times. Weird. Congratulations to Cameron Diaz let's see if she can top this.

Yiddishe kvetch. . ........2007-06-10

On the whole, it's a pretty good adaptation, but movie adaptations often fail to live up to novels simply because you as the reader control the reading, or at least the one you hear in your head. So there were several things about the movie that bothered me.

Toni Collette is much too polite as Rose when she's kicking Maggie out of the apartment, although that's probably partly the fault of the scriptwriter, who drastically cut what Rose actually said at this point, and made it much more politically correct. This was where I wanted to hear Rose vent a lifetime's worth of resentment and anger, just as she did in the novel. Plus, they left out the bit about the shoes at this point, which injected a note of humor even into this most fraught part of the book. Plus this skewed the balance between the two characters. Although, somehow, in the movie version of anything, it always ends up being about whoever is the most photogenic. Not so in the book, which is really about both sisters equally.

But my main problem with this movie is, where are all the Jews? Somehow we're supposed to believe that Cameron Diaz (who despite her name, actually looks Swedish), Shirley MacClaine, and Ken Howard are all Jewish. I think Toni Collette does the best job of seeming Jewish, and of the actors playing major characters, I think Mark Feuerstein is the only one who actually IS Jewish. The rest of them don't quite manage it--I got no sense that these other actors either grew up speaking Yiddish (for the ones of the appropriate ages for this) or had immediate ancestors who did, that they felt the wrench of being automatic aliens because they practice a different religion than most of the rest of the country, or the automatic constant second-guessing of oneself that comes with a religious tradition entirely based on the Golden Rule.

Gotta have that yiddishe kvetch. . .

Women, Talking About Feelings; Not a Story to be Found.......2007-05-30

Yuck.

Despite good acting by talented performers, and the always-strong appeal of long shots on Cameron Diaz' legs, this is a tiresome movie, too-long by almost half. It suffers from a lack of story.

It's a chronicle of two very different sisters. You might think the tale has them interact until they learn valuable lessons from one another, or something like that. However, the movie splits them up and has them experience their own "adventures." Shoes play no *real* role in the tale, if you were thinking they might, nor is anyone forced to "live anyone else's life" in anyway. In fact, there's nothing really consequential going on... just characters living their lives. It all winds up feeling like a memoir--a woman's reminisciences of "me and my sister," without an editor's eye for the necessary features of good cinema, like plot.

What plot there is feels contrived--yeah, sure, the high-powered lawyer gives up her job to take up dog-walking without a moment's difficulty or regret, and the whorish sneak-thief blends right in to a retirement community and parlays it into a successful entrepreneurship. Makes perfect sense.

There's no real change in the main character (Toni Collette): her attitude is basically the same at the end as it is at the beginning--"I love my sister, no matter what." The only real change to her is that she finds a good relationship, but that takes place completely externally, not on the inside.

Other plotlines and relationships are strewn across the stage haphazzardly--each of the sisters' relationship with their grandmother, with their father, with their stepmother, with their stepsister, with their deceased mother. Nothing ever comes together, here, just a lot of venting of feeling, pointless characterization, and schmaltzy "feel-good" moments that come almost out of nowhere.

Bad, poorly written, cinema.

A warm and funny relationship movie.......2007-05-13

This may be Cameron Diaz's most sympathetic role to date as she plays off her 30-something immaturity against her "never really was a child" older sister. Shirley MacLain is totally enjoyable in her role as the girls' "lost" grandmother, and serves as one of the catalysts for emotional growth by everyone involved, and an eventual family reconciliation. This will undoubtably be labeled as a "chick flick", but as o non-chick I completely enjoyed it.

Nice Shoes.......2007-04-26

I'm not a fan of Jennifer Weiner -I've read a couple of her novels and for the life of me I don't get the hype about such a mediocre writer--so I had very low expectations about In Her Shoes, despite the rave reviews. I'm happy to say I was wrong. This is one of those rare cases in which the movie is significantly better than the book. The characters seem real people, beautifully portrayed by Toni Collette, Cameron Diaz and Shirley McLaine--the three of them, at the top of their game.

Shakespeare Collection (Hamlet 1996 / A Midsummer Night's Dream 1935 / Othello 1965 / Romeo & Juliet 1936)

Average customer rating:

Warners continues to go highbrow with this new boxed set

Shakespeare Collection (Hamlet 1996 / A Midsummer Night's Dream 1935 / Othello 1965 / Romeo & Juliet 1936)
Starring: Kenneth Branagh , and Laurence Olivier
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000QC6O98
Release Date: 2007-08-14

Customer Reviews:

Warners continues to go highbrow with this new boxed set.......2007-05-12

I was very pleased with my "Literary Classics Collection" and "Motion Picture Masterpieces Collection" that I purchased from Warner's, and it looks like the studio originally known for gritty urban dramas continues to go highbrow with this collection of four movies featuring interpretations of works by the Bard. The press release by Warner Home Video has the following extras listed for each movie:

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)
Cast includes James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland (in her screen debut), Joe E. Brown, and Mickey Rooney. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing.
DVD Special Features:
Commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen
Olivia de Havilland screen test
Vintage featurette "A Dream Comes True" (8 minutes)
Presenting... Gallery of 6 teaser trailers showcasing cast members
Warner Bros. Studio Café teaser trailer
Musical short "Shake Mr. Shakespeare"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English, French and Portuguese (feature film only)

Romeo and Juliet (1936)
This was actually an MGM production. George Cukor directs with Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard in the title roles. Nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture.
DVD Special Features:
Vintage short "Master Will Shakespeare"
Classic MGM cartoon "Little Cheeser"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Othello (1965)
Lawrence Olivier in the title role, Maggie Smith as Desdemona, Joyce Redman as Emilia, and Frank Finlay as Iago. All four performers were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances.
DVD Special Features:
Vintage featurette "Olivier Talks About Othello"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Hamlet 2-Disc Special Edition (1996)
Cast includes actor/director Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal and Charlton Heston. This rendition is set in the 19th century.
DVD Special Features:
Introduction by director/star Kenneth Branagh
Commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Shakespeare scholar Russell Jackson
New digital transfer from original 70mm elements
Soundtrack remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1
Featurette "To Be on Camera: A History with Hamlet"
1996 Cannes Film Festival promo
Shakespeare movies trailer gallery
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish subtitles. (feature film only)

Average customer rating:

Ugh
The worst version of Hamlet yet.
An interesting take
...now cracks... um... a guy i know...
Much better than might be expected

Hamlet
Starring: Ethan Hawke , Kyle MacLachlan , Diane Venora , Sam Shepard , and Bill Murray
Director: Michael Almereyda
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004Z4RP
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Amazon.com

Perhaps the least important thing about this latest film version of Shakespeare's masterpiece is its setting in modern-day New York. Yes, such locales as the Guggenheim Museum are used wittily; answering machines and faxes are logically worked into the plot; and it was both inspired and entirely appropriate to make the prince of Denmark a moody, introspective filmmaker whose avant-garde collages provide the context for some of his famous monologues. All of which would be so much pleasantly humorous eye-candy if it didn't come hand in hand with a sympathy for and understanding of this remarkable cast of characters. For that, ultimately, is what makes Michael Almereyda's Hamlet such a delight to watch. Forget that the immortal rumination on suicide is placed in a Blockbuster Video aisle and notice instead how Ethan Hawke's own youthful, callow arrogance makes Hamlet's vacillations believable. And how the comical but infantilizing way Bill Murray's Polonius dotes upon his daughter Ophelia (Julia Stiles)--and her mute acceptance of his attentions--lead her to thoughts of a watery grave even before her bout of madness. And also notice how much Claudius truly does love Gertrude (when gazing at her, Kyle MacLachlan's face relaxes from its usual plasticity) and how Sam Shepard's ghost is less vengeful or tortured than stiffened by remorse. These are the shining moments of invention in Almereyda's bold updating of the play, and they are why this will be a film to watch and enjoy long after its setting has made it as much a period piece as Olivier's adaptation, with its broodingly lit castle, or Branagh's, with its gleaming 19th-century court. --Bruce Reid

Description

Hot Hollywood star Ethan Hawke (TRAINING DAY) is joined by Julia Stiles (10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU) and Bill Murray (LOST IN TRANSLATION) in a hip, thoroughly contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's epic story of passion, betrayal, and revenge! The president of the Denmark Corporation is dead ... and already his wife is remarried to the man suspected of his murder! Nobody is more troubled than her son, Hamlet (Hawke). Now, after this hostile takeover, trust is impossible, passion is on the rise, and revenge is in the air! Also featuring Kyle MacLachlan (ONE NIGHT STAND), Liev Schreiber (SCREAM 3), Diane Venora (THE INSIDER), and Sam Shepard (THE PELICAN BRIEF) in an outstanding ensemble -- the power of Shakespeare's timeless words is matched by the stunningly modern look and feel of this widely acclaimed, highly entertaining big-screen event!

Customer Reviews:

Ugh.......2007-06-12

Um...I don't even know WHAT to say. I just finished watching this monstrous perversion (then again, I saw the Branagh version recently; and not by accident, I am a "Hamlet" fiend). Maybe the low rating has something to do with that.

Bad acting--which doesn't do justice to the timeless script--ruins it all. Answering machines? Gimme a break.

Branagh can beat Hawke up with an envenomed foil any day.

The worst version of Hamlet yet........2007-06-04

I've seen at least 4 different productions of Hamlet and this is definitely the worst. The artistic choices aren't bad, but the actors in this version have no idea how to read Shakespeare. The dialogue sounds stilted and gets in the way of everything this production is trying to accomplish. Since it's all of the actors, I have to put most of the blame on the director. As both an actor and a student who's spent 2 years studying Shakespeare generally and Hamlet in particular, I can assure you that this version isn't worth your time.

An interesting take.......2007-05-20

I was thinking for quite some time about the incongruity of using Shakespearan english in the modern context. The problem is:

1) In modern NY, no one speaks like that. This is known, accepted. So the moment we hear them use Shakespeare's original language, full naturalism, no matter how strictly attempted, cannot be fully achieved. You cannot suck the audience in completely.

2) Shakespeare is nothing without the language. You can't just take the plot, change the lines around, simplify them: without the twists and turns, the wordplay and the thick meanings, a filming of merely the plot will amount to utilising the skeleton of any old folk tale.

I believe that the modern relatively deadpan acting method is contrary to the inherent theatricality of Shakespeare's language. Therefore, if it needs to be filmed in a modern context, it must necessarily be

1) over-the-top, and theatrical, and outrageous, like Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" or

2) it must be done by exceptionally gifted and experienced actors already steeped in Shakespeare who can recite the soliloquys even while comatose and can import all their experience, all their gravitas, all their past successes into a medium that is essentially new to Shakespeare. All films of Shakespeare so far have been "filmed plays" with theatrical acting, or over-the-top attempts like R+J or like this one -

Hamlet (2000) is a noble attempt, and some parts really work, but in the end it's a somewhat lethargic, uncertain prod, overall. Laertes does well, and Shepard's ghost is convincingly restrained.

Bill Murray and Ethan Hawke, sorry to say, are all at sea. The complexity of Hamlet is completely gone. Yes, Hamlet is melancholy. Yes, he is young and foolish, at times, but also noble and innocent. But he is divided, pulled and pushed by forces within and without, feelings in him are awakened after a grisly murder of his own father that were alien to him before - and every word of the soliloquys is painstakingly written and meant to support that. Every small nuance is meant to be acted, to be played, to be demonstrated to the discerning viewer - here, it's about 80% gone. Gibson played him as a raving lunatic, a Mad Max of Elsinore, but there was still a lot in there. Unfortunately, there's very little here.

Murray had apparently never done Shakespeare before, and it shows - he's reciting it, not acting it. It was very painful to watch him Laertes' farewell scene. Julia Stiles isn't given much, as if sometimes she seems on the verge of saying something, but doesn't. Venora and MacLachlan play their parts well - Venora with gusto and MacLachlan a little too passive at times.

I would still recommend this to those who'd like to check out what can be done with it in the modern setting - it is an interesting effort, a good amount of thought has gone into it and some of it comes of very well. But this isn't a definitive Hamlet by any means, and no way in hell should it be the FIRST Hamlet a person watches.

...now cracks... um... a guy i know..........2007-03-30

Usually, I feel like I can suspend disbelief and get at least SOME point out of other's works - even if I don't LIKE them so much.
I was just lost here. By everything, at every turn.
The only sense I could see was what I though MIGHT be the intent of the film... to show that the complexities and difficulties we see as being part of Hamlet's being carry into those we might see as "lesser souls," merely because of our proximity to them, or our familiarity with the social structure in which they live, or their appearance... or age...
Only problem is, none of this surfaced in the actual FILM.
For me, it all came down to the moment of Hamlet's death, when Horatio says "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." I found myself completely unable to concieve of how these words might have ANYTHING to do with this vapid, void, powerless guy on the floor. It was as if the death of a hamster would evoke the same deep sense of wasted nobility.
I felt nothing - which, to be honest, happens to me sometimes as a result of my sporadic ability to be monumentally dense. But in this case, I'm pretty sure it was because there was nothing to feel.

Much better than might be expected.......2007-03-21

Some reviewers have complained about the acting and the casting for this modern dress Hamlet. Clearly Bill Murray as Polonius is something of a joke. He is competent in speaking his lines, but he might have achieved a better effect had he played the part for laughs. (Although The Bard certainly would not have liked that.) Polonius is paradoxically a figure of ridicule because of his pomposity while at the same time he is the repository of some ancient wisdom. It's a delicate part to play and I don't think Bill Murray got it right.

And then there is Julia Stiles as Ophelia. I thought she was competent, but failed to project the sort of distracted, suicidal imbalance that the part demands. And why didn't they let her sing the ditty instead of just pronouncing it before the king and queen in the mad scene? If Stiles can't sing a little (and it only requires the thinnest of voices) maybe she shouldn't have played Ophelia.

Kyle MacLachlan played Claudius as an Enron-type CEO, merciless in his greed and malevolent in his desire to secure his hold on the corporate reins of power. The prayerful scene (overheard by Hamlet) in which Claudius remarks aloud that his "words fly up," but his "thoughts remain below" is done in the backseat of a limo driven by Hamlet! In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet does not kill the king at that moment because Claudius's soul might very well go to heaven since he is in prayer. Recall that the ghost of Hamlet's father complains that he was murdered with "no reckoning made," but with all his "imperfections" (sins) still upon his head.

Most questionable to some is Ethan Hawke as the "sweet prince." But I thought he did an excellent job and was very like a 21st century, privileged American (a secular "prince") pretending to be going crazy. And I am sure that the Ophelias in the audience thought he was just wonderful.

Certainly there can be little criticism of Diane Venora who played Gertrude to a tee. Incidentally the queen's chamber scene worked wonderfully well with Hawke becoming well the son disgusted with his mother, and she, seeing her tragic failings in her son's eyes, becoming the very embodiment of shame.

I also liked Karl Geary as Hamlet's loyal friend Horatio. I thought it was interesting that here he has a silent girlfriend who is almost always with him. (She's silent because Shakespeare wrote no lines for her!)

But putting all that aside, what I think is wonderful about this production is that it worked! Modern Hamlet in New York City, the "king" really the CEO of a Danish corporation, the kingdom, that corporation, the castle, its New York corporate headquarters. How simple. But would it play? And what adjustments and cuts and pastes would have to be performed on Shakespeare's immortal script? Well, practically none. A lot was cut out, but almost all productions of Hamlet leave out a lot, c.f., Olivier's Academy Award-winning film from 1948; Zeffirelli's 1989 Hamlet light starring Mel Gibson, etc. The most notable exception is Branagh's magnificent Hamlet from 1996 in which nary a word was cut from the text of the play. If you really want to experience Shakespeare's Hamlet at its best and fullest, see that Hamlet from 1996 starring Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Derek Jacobi. You can read along as you watch it. (See my review.)

Here we have selected speeches played over a backdrop of modern life in the Big Apple. Every word is from Shakespeare with the exception of a couple of things seen on TV. A security guard plays Marcellus; Fortinbras' army in the background is a rival corporation seen in newspaper headlines; the drape behind which the ill-fated counselor hides only to be stabbed by Hamlet becomes here a hotel closet with mirror through which Hamlet fires a bullet so that Polonius becomes indeed "still."

There is a sword fight at the end as in the great play, between Laertes (Liev Schreiber, who brings some welcome subtlety to the role) and Hamlet. It seems natural in a sense because both privileged young men could have taken fencing at prep school and university. There is no bubbling brook across which Ophelia lies. Instead she finds her quietus in the hotel's fountain.

The graveyard scene in which the skull of "Yorick--I knew him" is unearthed is skipped over, probably because the tit-for-tat between Hamlet and the gravedigger would not make much sense to modern audiences. (Laertes still jumps into Ophelia's grave, but I must say without the full bravado that Shakespeare intended.)

I guess I liked this more than others because I expected a lot less and was pleasantly surprised. Part of the power of the production comes from the close camera work on the faces of the players--something that surely would have delighted Elizabethan audiences--particularly when listening to some of the longer speeches. The trick in all of this is to make the Shakespearean speeches sound natural and very like what people today might say. I thought that Michael Almereyda, who wrote the adaptation and directed, pulled this off very well.

For those of you who are high school teachers, I highly recommend that you show this to your classes. It will definitely help your students toward an appreciation of this great and timeless play. (And then show them the Branagh film.)

Olivier's Shakespeare - Criterion Collection (Hamlet / Henry V / Richard III)

Average customer rating:

Olivier Ruined Hamlet
The very best!
THREE GREAT MOMENTS... OLIVIER... SHAKESPEARE... CRITERION...

Olivier's Shakespeare - Criterion Collection (Hamlet / Henry V / Richard III)
Starring: Olivier's Shakespear
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000FILVO6
Release Date: 2006-08-01

Description

Dubbed the greatest actor of the twentieth century, Sir Laurence Olivier, the classically trained and majestically handsome English theater veteran, first transplanted his passion for Shakespeare to the big screen in the 1940s, and in so doing, allowed Elizabethan verse to break free of its stage-bound origins. Olivier directed only five films in his sixty-year career, yet his three Shakespeare adaptations (Henry V, Hamlet, Richard III), presented here together on DVD for the first time, are still widely considered the definitive film adaptations. Faithful to the playwright's words yet open to the unique possibilities of the cinema, these works transcend both screen and stage with timeless passion. Criterion is proud to present this unprecedented filmmaking legacy.

Customer Reviews:

Olivier Ruined Hamlet.......2007-07-05

While the acting is excellent, the interpretation Olivier gives Hamlet is nauseating. As a Shakespeare scholar, I have always cringed when I hear students of the bard describe Hamlet as a "man who could not make up his mind." Oliver tells us at the beginning of this film the very essence he sees in Hamlet. I have *no* problem with him interpreting in a way I do not agree with, but to say this is the "definitive work, period" is unfair to some other wonderful adaptations. For my money, Branagh's Hamlet is a more honest portrayal and the excellent dress rehearsal Dvd with Richard Burton is mind-blowing.
I do not dislike Olivier, but Hamlet is hardly his best Shakespearean work. Richard III is much better and Henry V is perhaps better than Branagh's version.

The very best!.......2007-05-02

It is because of "Larry", I came to love and understand the great Bard, all through high school and college, I never could grasp and appreciate Shakespeare, until I came upon the master actor of possibly all time, I would say without fear of contradiction, his work will out live all others, as far as this set of disc's from Criterion, I am sure they just as good as the single one's I have in my collection, the price is a great savings from single purchase, I might add the having seen the great films, opening a book of Shakespeare was a wonderful "new' experience.

THREE GREAT MOMENTS... OLIVIER... SHAKESPEARE... CRITERION..........2006-08-23

Basically, these are three great Criterion Editions boxed together - which gives it a nice sense of continuity between these films.

HAMLET is, perhaps, Shakespeare most widely known and popular work. And Olivier gives it the film performance to which all others are compared. Period. And it is a great film with a striking cinematography and (naturaly) a great cast. A classic. Criterion, as always, does a fine job in terms of image and sound... although this disc has no extras.

RICHARD III tells the story of the evil duke of gloucester and his murderous machinations to get the throne of England. Another great performance. Great Technicolor cinematography. Here, Criterion gives us a two-disc edition full of nice extras: an Olivier interview, a featurette, etc.

HENRY V is another tour de force as the king who must battle all odds in order to achieve the greatest victory. The Agincourt battle scenes are a wow!!! Another Tecnicolor triumph.

So, here you have three great Shakespeare adaptation at a better price (you can buy the separately) by Criterion.

I say look no further.

Average customer rating:

Nice little movie
Yiddishe kvetch. . .
Women, Talking About Feelings; Not a Story to be Found
A warm and funny relationship movie
Nice Shoes

In Her Shoes
Starring: Cameron Diaz , Anson Mount , Toni Collette , Shirley MacLaine , and Richard Burgi
Director: Curtis Hanson
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B000CCW2OS
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Amazon.com

Description

Maggie and Rose are both best friends and polar opposites when it comes to values, goals and personal styles. Maggie is a party girl who barely graduated from high school, recycles jobs as quickly as yesterday's newspapers and believes her biggest asset is her attractiveness to the opposite sex. Rose is a Princeton educated attorney at a top law firm in Philadelphia. Her low self-esteem regarding her physical appearance has left her dating life non-existent. Rose's one joy in life is shoes (because they always fit), but unfortunately she has few social opportunities to remove them from her closet. After a calamitous falling out, the two sisters travel a bumpy road toward true appreciation for one another--aided along the way by the discovery of the maternal grandmother they thought was dead. Through their re-connection with their grandmother, Ella, Maggie and Rose learn how to make peace with themselves and with each other.

Customer Reviews:

Nice little movie.......2007-06-14

Yiddishe kvetch. . ........2007-06-10

Women, Talking About Feelings; Not a Story to be Found.......2007-05-30

A warm and funny relationship movie.......2007-05-13

Nice Shoes.......2007-04-26

Average customer rating:

Great for the eyes, a pain for the mind and ears.
Zhang Ziyi works well in this re-work of "Hamlet"
MANY SAY THIS IS THE CHINESE MILLENNIUM . . .
A modern Asian version of Shakespeare, featuring the world's greatest actress
English Speaking Buyers Beware

The Banquet (Special Edition) DVD
Director: Feng Xiaogang
Manufacturer: Mega Star (HK)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

2 disc package (ALL region NTSC)
DTS 95/24

ASIN: B000KCZAF8

Product Description

A loose adaptation of Hamlet, "The Night Banquet" is set in an empire in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies they would like to finish off at a night banquet.

Customer Reviews:

Great for the eyes, a pain for the mind and ears........2007-07-05

Trying to describe the waste of time this film was would be more a waste of time than the film actually was. Another reviewer summed it up perfectly, it would be pointless for me to do the same. The worst offence? Violence is NEVER poetic.

Zhang Ziyi works well in this re-work of "Hamlet".......2007-06-12

I think the main criticism of "The Banquet" seems to have been related to its pace, but I found it moved at a pace that suited its content; the brooding nature of the narrative and the development of character needs a gentler pace. People also seem to have been critical of Zhang Ziyi, questioning her casting (as a result of which the character of empress wan was made younger) and her ability to do justice to the role. Quite frankly, I think she's done herself a lot of favors in this role. The film's narrative is heavily influenced by Shakespeare's 'HAMLET', which stands it in good stead, but the story and characters have been sufficiently tweaked by writers, Qiu Gangjian and Sheng Heyu, and director, Feng Xiaogang, to dismiss any accusations of it being a simple adaptation. The basic premise is there, as is the sense that we are building to something akin to the bard's tragic, climactic finale.

Zhang Ziyi role as Empress Wan, she is simply stunning as a young woman, who's had her identity and lover taken from her, been thrust into the role of Empress and is now torn by the return of her first love and the power she's become accustomed to, a power that remains in her grasp, whilst she is Li's. Ge You is also great at conveying the menace, weakness and torment that, as he says, arises as result of "the tug between power and love": a murderer, a usurper and a man enchanted by the charms of his new Empress. Daniel Wu puts in yet another solid performance as the emotional young Prince; like Empress Wan, his Wu Luan is torn between his feelings (for Wan), the pain of his father's murder and his relationship with the daughter of General Yin, Qing (Zhou Xun). Alongside Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun is amazing; as Qing, she represents something that none of the other characters do: innocence and truth. this often isolates her within the imperial court and her devotion to Prince Qu Luan drives her through the hardship that it causes her.

It is at this point, that I feel compelled to wax lyrical about the film on a purely visual level. The set of the imperial palace is almost a character itself. It has been dressed with astounding detail and the absolute beauty of almost every frame of the film, in which it appears, is a remarkable achievement; from the Empress's chamber, the throne room, corridors and exteriors. Besides the sets, the costume design is also quite beautiful. the combined effect of the costumes, their inhabitants and the world which they inhabit, make "The Banquet" one of the most beautiful films I've watched.

Finally, a word on the action sequences; they are, after all, the work of Yuen wo-ping. There are three, relatively short sequences, all featuring Daniel Wu, alongside a larger sequence at the beginning of the film. They are all visually stunning but, while actually being quite bloody and violent, they are more balletic in their choreography and execution. Personally, I love them. Over all, I have to say that I'm a big fan of this film. Feng Xiaogang has taken Shakespeare's influence and crafted a solid drama that has as much style as it does substance. That's not to say that it doesn't have it's faults, there's a few parts of the narrative that aren't as strong as others and the ultimate scene of the film may raise a question or two but, with so many reviews choosing to dwell on any negative they can see, I thought I'd go the other way and be nice.

MANY SAY THIS IS THE CHINESE MILLENNIUM . . . .......2007-02-28

I started viewing Chinese movies when THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, and, of course, HERO hit. This magnificent, majestic movie, THE BANQUET, just seals the deal. Every aspect is wonderful. It's ballet and opera and action and human nature exposed and all film elements raised to another level. Even Wm. S would be wowed. It's grace and elegance and impact. Even the wire work and CGI are organic. So impressive!

Hollywood, with its box-office-driven formula$ are so lost; hopefully this and other new Chinese releases will draw their attention away from the box- office business and back to the art. But I doubt it.

Many say this is the Chinese Millennium; it looks like the next 993 years are going to be theirs. And movie-lovers, ours too. See this movie and see what's ahead. Better yet, buy it and see something new and thrilling each viewing.

A modern Asian version of Shakespeare, featuring the world's greatest actress.......2007-01-27

The Banquet is one of the best movies to come out in 2006. The movie is a huge Chinese production, like many of the movies that have come out of Hong Kong and China during the last few years. The story definitely will remind you of many Shakespeare plays, such as Hamlet or Titus. It's a story about revenge, passion, love, about the dark sides hidden within mena and women. It's about secret shemes, and about the power of passion and lust. The story, in a nutshell, is this - During the 10th Century, The China emporrer is murdered by his brother, who takes over the empire right away. However as we find out, the new emperror's intrest is not the huge China Empire, but his brother's beatiful and much younger wife. The empress, who despises her new "husband", uses her power over him for her own purposes. She wants to get rid of him, so that Lee-Wan, the prince (her step son, who is actually 4 years older than her), can become Emperror and she can become much more than the Emperror wife, but a Mother-Emperror. The new emperror is blindly in love with the young and beautiful queen, yet feels she still has feelings for the young prince and does his best to get rid of him, so there's no threat to his throne and more important - to his beautiful new wife. The new prince survives quite a few murder-attempts, and comes to the pallace to get his revenge. There he is caught in a love-triangle that features the beautiful queen and the Minster of War's young and innoccent daughter, who is madly in love with Lee-Wan, willing to die if she has to for him.

The movie is another Chinese masterpiece - the costums, the colours, the battle-scenes, the acting, the thrilling dialogues, the soundtrack... Everythig is on the highest level. While on a few points, the scrips fails to be consistent, it doesn't take a thing away from the movie or it's greatness. It's a strong viewing experience.

One of the biggest highlights of "The Banquet" (and it's not a surprise) is Ziyi Zhang, who plays the Young Queen. Zhang shows once again, that she's second to no other actress - whether it's her astonishing looks or her breathtaking acting! Throughout the movie, you get hypnotised by Zhang's amazing face and figure, as well as her performance. The range of emotions this actress displays is incredible. Just like "The House of Fying Daggers", this movie was MADE for Zhang, there's no doubt about that. I am sure that this was the only actress the producers had in their mind, when they made the movie. She is PERFECT for it, and she shows more depth than ever, looking more goegeous and sexy than ever. Unfortunately, other than a couple of minutes, we don't get so watch her incredible fighting skills, but hey - she plays a different role. No doubt, she IS the star of the movie, and she also is the deepest character, a women whose purposes and thoughts aren't easy to figure out untill the very end. It was nice to see Zhang play such a complicated character, and it's deffintetely the deepest character she's ever played. And, man oh man, does she look beautiful on every single scene she's on. Her facial expressions are breathtaking, and show the character's emotions so clearly!... I can't say enough about her acting and about the beauty of this woman. She's about 27, yet doesn't look a day over 18. She's incredibely sexy, and she doesn't have to expose flesh for it. It's her face, her voice, the way she moves her perfect body, and the amazing dresses she wears. I couldn't get enough of her appearence here (just like every other movie she's ever been in), and I trully think she's the greatest and most beautiful actress of our age.

I highly reccommend "The Banquet" to anyone who appreciates REAL cinema, who wants to see an artistic movie with amazing acting, and of course all Ziyi Zhang fans. IT's a masterpiece. I even went and saw it twice on the cinema, and the second time was even better for me, as I was able to spot a lot of details and concentrate of the scenes better. The music all throught the movie adds a lot too, Tan Dun's music has played a major role in helping the motion picture to jump to an awesome level of artistic achievement.

English Speaking Buyers Beware.......2007-01-12

After visiting China several times, I came to enjoy the Chinese people, their culture, and their modern films. You don't, for example, get many movies more powerful than "Raise the Red Lantern," nor as intriguing and provocative as "The King of Masks." So I looked forward eagerly to "The Banquet." Disappointing. Visually stunning, well acted, and, yes, a "loose adaptation of Hamlet," nevertheless the pacing was uneven ... and then there were the fight scenes. The film switches to the "new form" of martial arts: leaping 20 feet, flying, impossible acrobatics - all the art of special effects and CAGs that seem to enthrall viewers since "Crouching Tiger...". It's ridiculous. If the fight scenes in "Ran," quoted by another reviewer, had warriors flying through the air like Superman, the movie would have been a joke, a kids' video game. That's what happens to the "Banquet" when the swords come out.

Now, the warning: I got the "Special Edition," and it has a bonus disc of features ("Making of...," "Interviews," etc.), and a booklet - all of which have NO English sub-titles nor English dubs! So, if you don't understand Chinese, just settle for the standard version.

Average customer rating:

The state of art!
The Real Deal
A Hamlet For The Ages!
Two classics--"Hamlet" & Burton
Burton's Hamlet has aged surprisingly well

Richard Burton's Hamlet
Starring: Hugh Alexander , Richard Burton , Philip Coolidge , Hume Cronyn , and Christopher Culkin
Director: Bill Colleran
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Hamlet

ASIN: B00000JMON
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Description

Richard Burton stars and Sir John Gielgud directs William Shakespeare's play of the Danish Prince. This is a "Hamlet" acted in rehearsal clothes, stripped of all extraneous trappings, so the beauty of the language and imagery could shine through. Filmed during an actual Broadway performance, to be shown in movie theaters for two days only, the prints were contractually ordered destroyed, but Burton sent one to the British Film Institute, and kept one print at home, located by his widow Sally in 1988; here then is the complete Burton "Hamlet" in all its vocal power and glory.

Customer Reviews:

The state of art!.......2007-06-05

The magnetic presence of Richard Burton on stage as Hamlet is simply outstandig. His personal approach in contrast to Olivier, for instance, resides in the modern vision and contemporary flavour he adds and carves in relief.

Burton had one of the most powerful, expreessive and dark voices in the history of cinema or theater. This DVD shows us just a sample of a set of famous performances in Broadway during 1964, and it convinces us once more about the impressive amount of expressive devices and gamut of his actoral gifts.

To be true, the edition process is not at first rate level, but the performance is so strong and mesmerizing, that you tend to forget this minor factor.

Don't hesitate just for a second at the moment to acquire this historical performance of this fabulous actor.

The Real Deal.......2007-05-12

I should mention right off the bat that I am a big fan of Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" for its sweep, its headlong pacing, and its presentation of the doomed philosopher as a man of passion as well as intellect; for me, Kenneth Branagh's distinctly cool rendering of the character rendered the Prince of Denmark too inaccessible to care about ... and a "Hamlet" without a Hamlet who breathes fire from the get-go is a Hamlet I can easily do without.

But "Mad Max at Elsinore", while startlingly true in its own way to its roots, is only about half of the very great play William Shakespeare wrote; and, really, unfolds so quickly that you hardly have time to ask yourself The Really Big Hamlet Question of the Ages: Why does the guy take so long to do what has to be done?

Richard Burton's "Hamlet" is the definitive answer to that question (among others) -- and that answer lies not in the reams and reams and volumes and volumes written in an attempt to convincingly analyze Hamlet's personality, hang-ups, and hesitations. The matter is simple beyond belief: Elizabethan audiences, composed of a complete cross-section of the society of the time, from highest to lowest, expected roughly three hours of murder, mayhem, comedy, farce, philosophy, pathos, tragedy, and acting on the titanically Heroic scale for their money -- and Master Shakespeare was the best around at delivering all of those things.

And, just like in a modern film, if Hamlet believes The Ghost straight-away and dashes from that wint'ry parapet to run Claudius through first chance he gets, well ... still a couple of hours of running time to fill, here, Bill ...

What Burton's version offers in stellar fashion are the celestial adornments The Bard wove into and around this second-or-third-hand revenge play -- you know, the stuff that made him famous and keeps him that way. Fully half the play (or more; the traditional stage Hamlet of the day was a clownish mad-man, and The Swan of Avon had to keep that in mind) is "a high-mettled comedy" as G.B. Shaw put it; humor from the worst of puns to the very best battles of wit, both laugh-out-loud and smile-somewhere-inside, bawdy and thoughtful by turns, with thoroughly unexpected delights that seem to be conjured out of nowhere. The Ghost (John Gielgud's voice and a huge shadow projected on the set) is neither as tangible nor as intimate as Paul Schofield's masterful portrayal in the Gibson flick, and yet the creepy supernatural atmosphere it creates clings like a chilling fog to the rest of the production -- the very air of Elsinor seems poisoned thereafter.

The other characters, from Gertrude and Claudius to Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern, have time to more fully develope their little quirks and idiosyncracies -- no one better than Our Will at exploring what makes a human tick through speech and action. Hamlet himself is possibly the most multi-dimensional stage hero extant, and here we have all his moods; his fancies; his sorrows and his wit.

And we have Richard Burton playing him. He sings the part operatically, he whispers it, he growls, he spins yards and yards of silk, he howls at the moon -- and has mastered the language to the point that he can make the most obtuse blank verse sound conversational ... almost offhand at times ... and you are never in any doubt whatsoever as to what he means when he speaks. He is as aware, it seems to me, of his own reputation as he is of Hamlet's, and rightly so -- the Heroic tradition of acting is as much about the actor as the part, and "Hamlet" simply begs for a huge personality to fill the shoes of its huge lead -- and Burton doesn't skimp: his "mad scenes" show us the legendary madness of the fabled Welsh Drunk he supposedly was ... too passionate and artistic to live to a ripe old age, too aware of himself and everything around him to be able to tolerate it, letting the courtly mask drop to the floor at the drop of a cue and baying like all the hounds of hell were at his heels.

In a word, he is Magnificent.

He does what any great Hamlet must aspire to -- he makes us care about the musty old role, makes us actually feel for this guy on many, many levels, helps us to realize just exactly why he's the best guy Denmark has to offer ... and why it is truly a tragedy when he goes down.

It's a visceral and volcanic performance that forms the centerpiece of a truly large, robust, Elizabethan "Hamlet" -- why does The Inky Prince dawdle so over his revenge? So the audience can be treated to all the marvelous tricks Will Shakespeare has up his sleeve -- the princes, pretenders, courtiers; the players, rogues, and twisting, turning, illuminating bits of character, movement, plot, and motive that make "Hamlet" the crown jewel of living, breathing theater.

Buy it. Buy it now.

A Hamlet For The Ages! .......2007-03-23

This is not a film of Hamlet in the traditional sense. It was not made especially for the screen. It is a filmed version of the famed 1964 Broadway production starring the late, great Richard Burton. This DVD showcases the power of not only Shakespere's words but of Richard Burton.

Because of the fact it was filmed during a dress rehearsal, it does not have the lavish period sets, costumes, etc. of other versions. This version is down with the most minimal of sets and in modern (1960's), even casual clothing. This is not the film for those of you who think Shakespere means lavish costumes and sets. But this is a film that showcases the power of Shakespere. Richard Burton is at the height of his powers in the title role. His "To be or not to be" speech is awe inspiring to see and hear. Hume Cronyn is terrific as Polonius playing a bumbling and, at times, oxymoron version of the character. Alfred Drake is well suited as Claudius, though he is a bit wooden at times. Eileen Herlie is virtually perfect as Gertrude. Linda Marsh is particularly impressive as the love struck Ophelia and has great chemistry with Burton making their relationship all the more believable. Add on other great actors and an appearance by George Voskovec as the Player King and even a cameo by the play's director Sir John Gielgud as the ghost of King Hamlet to the mix as well.

The DVD is mostly of this lenghty (Three hour, ten minutes long) film. It does feature an interview with Burton on how this was filmed plus a preview adveretsing the showings of the film in 1964. These aren't great special features but they certainly do give a little bit of insight into the production and how special the film truly is.

In short, this is a terrific version of Hamlet. It is carried not by the usual sets and costumes but by the sheer power of actors and some of the greatest words ever to be put to page. See not only a great play, but an acting legend at the height of his powers.

Two classics--"Hamlet" & Burton.......2007-03-09

There are many fine productions of Hamlet available today, but you won't find a better performance than Richard Burton's in this 1964 legendary production directed by John Gielgud.Besides the excellent performance of Burton, you get to see a live production on stage with an audience, and the immediacy of the moment.If you're fimiliar with Mel Gibson's Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, you certainly should give yourself the opportunity to view Burton's Hamlet and see a different kind of raw, brave performance.Don't miss it!

Burton's Hamlet has aged surprisingly well.......2006-11-01

If you're interested in Shakespeare on stage as opposed to Shakespeare on film, this is an excellent video. I taught an introductory theater course where we looked at several different Hamlets on video, and, in terms of getting a sense of the play's theatricality, this DVD and a recording I made of Peter Brook's recent production (recorded from German TV, I don't know if the video is commercially available or not) were the most enlightening for the students. I find Burton's performance considerably less affected than that of several modern interpreters, e.g. Branagh or Kevin Kline.

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Hamlet
Where are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!
Not Bored with the Bard
A Great Movie...Exciting, Tragic, Engrossing...But Most Of All, Cinematic

Hamlet - Criterion Collection
Starring: Felix Aylmer , Anthony Bushell , Peter Cushing , Eileen Herlie , and Stanley Holloway
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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