Watch the film adaptation of Hamlet, originally broadcast on April 28, 2010, here on the Great Performances Web site.
167 Responses to “Watch the Film”
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Loved it the acting was superb will watch it again
I agree with you it is the best and i am going to watch over again. I loved david tennant when he played in doctor who which is still my fav show. i love watching The Great Performances because show alot of great shows and plays.
i agree and i just wanted to add to your comment about DW, david tennant has been by far my favorite doctor with matt smith runner up, and i am excited to note that he portrays an excelent hamlet. i wonder what it would have been like had he played macbeth, in Macbeth! it’s a bit more bloody, but his naturally scottish accent would have been handy.
riiiiiggghhhhttttt. he wouldve been AMAZIN n Macbeth. and yes hes the BEST DW (nct 2 the 10th tht is). lol i watched this 4 my Shakespeare class at school (im 15) and was like, “HOLY COW!!!! DAVID TENNAT!!!!!” when i saw him. lol was a welcome surprise 2 c an awesome actor i know playin somethin else totally cool. lol
Its my favorite Movie and done superb acting in this video.
capitolgaming
Excellent performances; grand stage setting; marvelous interpretation. Will watch again (or) how do I find a copy for my own library?
Go to the website amazon.com. It has the film available for purchase.
Dear Viewers,
This GREAT PERFORMANCES production of Hamlet from the Royal Shakespeare Company featuring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart is also available for purchase at http://www.shopthirteen.org, click here for the blu-ray version, or here for the standard DVD.
The program can also be purchased by calling 1-800-336-1917. We can’t bring this amazing content to you without your support!
Also, be sure to keep an eye out for Patrick Stewart playing the title role in our upcoming production of Macbeth, scheduled to air Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at 9pm (check local listings). We hope you stay tuned for more GREAT PERFORMANCES.
Hallo,
if you want a copy of Hamlet, let me know,I have taped it.
So you can have one. Where are you living???
Best wishes
Bert
David Tennant is beyond amazing!
when is it available in the UK?????!!
Oh, what a grand performance! David Tennant proves he is much more than the Doctor (and that’s saying a lot considering he IS the Doctor! My Doctor!) and he does some wonderful acting here in Shakespeare’s finest work. This is a fine cast and very well done by the RSC.
My only quibble is that I wish the filmed version had been, well, more of a FILM and less static like the stage presentation. Film gives you so much more freedom to move around to different locations, and I wish the director had done even more of this.
you’ve obviously never seen any other film version of ‘hamlet’ then? they all look like versions of the stage play. well, except for that monstrosity ethan hawke did. regardless, the films look like the stage directions because that’s how it works best. shakespeare was quite the genius, even in his directions and notations.
it’s awesome though. actually patrick stewart played the dead king in the first version of ‘hamlet’ i saw too, but he had hair then. i’m not kidding.
Patrick Stewart had hair? That fact just rocked my world.
What about Kenneth Branagh’s version? It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, but I remember it having a film feel to it.
It was already broadcast in the UK back in December. It was available for a while on the BBC’s iPlayer, but not any longer. DVDs can be purchased directly from the RSC, the BBC, or retail sources like Amazon.
Oh lovely play – this is a great addition to my Hamlet collection. So many brilliant performances that it’s difficult to single anyone out – David Tennant was a joy as always, Sir Patrick Stewart delivered a complex and moving performance that I’m still mulling over, and Oliver Ford Davies redefined Polonius for me.
how can i order this? i didn’t know it was coming on but flipped through PBS during ACT II and couldn’t turn it off.
Dear Viewers,
For those looking to purchase the program it is available to order online at http://www.shopthirteen.org. Here is a direct link to the blu-ray version (also available in DVD). Thanks again for watching, and we hope you stay tuned for more GREAT PERFORMANCES!
I watched this last night and loved it. I’ve tried to watch a couple of other interpretations of this play in a modern setting and wasn’t that keen on them, but this version worked for me.
A phenomenal performance, so much talent and energy in the acting. Great interpretation. I really enjoyed the cinematic choice of using one camera and keeping in touch with the idea of a stage performance, while still capitalizing on the fluidity that film allows. Wish some of the lines hadn’t been dropped, but I guess there is something to be said for brevity (at least as Polonius understands it). Jolly good show!
http://twitter.com/drancher
“He talks to the skull of his dead father and it talks back, so the humor should be like Orson Welles, not like Jerry Lewis. Hamlet, on PBS.” I said.
This, above, is my quibbling statement . . . otherwise, I loved it.
Thanks for screening this on the tube.
Will watch it again online.
Hamlet already aired in the UK and the DVD and Blu Ray are out now.
The DVD and Blu Ray are released in the USA on 4th May.
There’s loads of info at http://www.David-tennant.com and they have the DVDs to pre order too
doesn’t work in switzerland – blimey…. :(
doesn’t work in switzerland…. :(
I saw this last night and immediately pre-ordered the DVD. I love this movie — I wish this group would enact and film more of Shakespeare’s plays, so I could have a whole collection. I wouldn’t need TV ever again!
This is the most amazing Hamlet I’ve ever seen. Isn’t it wonderful that in modern dress and with Elizabethan English this play works. Hollywood should hope to do as well. Loved Polonius and understood him better with this performance. Patrick Stewart is as always the most amazing actor. I don’t watch Doctor Who, but loved David Tennant as the tortured Prince of Denmark. Bravo to all.
Any chance that this will be repeated at a later hour?
I’ve always felt that Shakespeare is something I know I’m supposed to appreciate, and yet watching it at the theater or in movies has never really moved me (where I don’t just watch the characters and hear what they say, but get wrapped up in the experience and the character’s emotions). THIS version of Hamlet moved me. Phenomenal acting! Phenomenal directing, cinematography, art direction, sets, costumes, etc. All of the cast were brilliant and I’ve long been a fan of Patrick Stewart and David Tennant (oh the Doctor!). Not to mention that Tennant is absolutely gorgeous. :-)
For myself, this is the first time Shakespeare really came to life. Many thanks to all involved in its production and distribution, from a youngish thirty-something.
Hi! I’ve been following your web site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic work!
Excellent performance, Tennant (with whom I was unfamiliar before, was indeed excellent, and Patrick Stewert, in modern dress comes across as part king, part scheming businessman, excellently done (now I would like to see Stewert play a scheming Wall Street financier, the fit would be perfect!) To Laura, if you want to connect to Shakespeare on film, try Kenneth Branagh, Kate Beckinsale, Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington in the 1993 film “Much Ado About Nothing”, with some great smaller parts by Michael Keaton. It was the first relatively modern Shakespeare film that worked for me.
What a great performance! Watched it initially as a fan girl and further appreciate DT and PS’s talents! Everyone in this production was absolutely amazing!
Outstanding! Excellent performances by the cast, and especially David Tennant – AWESOME! ;-) It’ll be on PBS here in the US for several more showings and I look forward to watching it again and again. Thanks so much for this wonderful production!
Always leery of modernization but this worked beyond my imaginings, proving time is not out of joint. Top-notch presentation showed how timeless Shakespeare is. Speaking directly to the camera made lines come alive. Riveting acting, awesome presentation. Can’t wait to watch it again. Already pre-odered the DVD.
Thank Goddess!! David Tennant is WONDERFUL!! Not only is he the BEST DOCTOR EVER but shows his great depth and versatility as a actor. BRAVO!!
How long will Hamlet be available for viewing on this wesite?
This was brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! The acting was wonderful, and I loved the modernization coupled with the Olde English dialogue. Can’t buy the DVD yet, but I intend to buy it as soon as possible.
hi fuckers stop posting gay shit like this u god dam stupid fagg go to hell.
I saw this production in London, although at the time David Tennant was out on a back injury. Edward Bennett who here plays Leartes filled in as Hamlet and he and the entire production was absolutely wonderful. I’ve been looking forward to this filmed production since then and I have not been disappointed by any means. I was curious as to how it would translate to film and it’s just superb! I can’t wait to get my copy on dvd and use it in my Shakespeare class.
Incredible! They have captured the stage production perfectly even though some changes were made.
David Tennant was the last enticement to compel me to finally make the trip across the pond to see an RSC production and it was well worth it. Will be making that trip as often as I can in the future as I fell in love with Stratford Upon Avon and the RSC feeds my adoration of Shakespeare as no other company has.
Have already preordered my DVD!
I wanted to see this production in England but was unable to go. Thank you for bringing it to us on PBS! It is a wonderful adaptation (I only wish it had the full text of the play). David Tennant is fantastic.
The play was brilliant in person in the UK when I saw it in Stratford, and the movie version is just as fantastic. Amazing performances all around!
This was absolutely amazing! The entire cast was great but David Tennant was incredible! I am a big fan of Hamlet. I have seen every movie/TV version I could get my hands on and have seen a dozen theater productions. This production was the best, by far. I can’t wait to get the DVD and watch it over and over again.
I’ve watched this twice now. Once on PBS, again on the website. I really did like this production. Very well done. Sir Patrick Stewart and David Tennant, so very well done. I was surprisingly entertained and impressed with Oliver Ford Davies’ Polonius.
Thank you BBC, Illuminations, and PBS for bringing this to life and sharing it. I only wish I could’ve seen it live.
Simply amazing. My attention has never been held for 3 hours before and it was unbelievable. David Tennant is always amazing in everything I have seen. He had brought the sparkle that he puts in all of his work into this wonderful version of Hamlet.
Patrick Stewart was also brilliant. It was very clever to see a great modern style to the play and banter with the subtext in many scenes were very comical and well played.
When does this come out on DVD?
Will this be shown again any time soon? I missed it!!!
i can’t get it to work, i missed it and people said it was really good :(
Thoroughly enjoyed this production of Hamlet. Acting was brilliant. Thank you, PBS, for bringing this to America.
I am doing chapter 14 for my Shakespeare Lit. Class. I am not an actress and David Tennant’s brilliant performance shows me how poor an actress I am. You’ve got to love it. Great performance indeed.
One of the best video performances of a Shakespeare play, I’ve ever seen. I’ve read the play, seen several Hamlets on vdeo, including Olivier’s and this is the one that brought Hamlet alive for me, and real as the hand in front of my face.
Penny Downie blew me away, the character of Polonius seemed so well-defined, Patrick Stewert’s king was cold and scheming, yet haunted by a thin thread of guilt–marvelous!
Orphelia was much as many a young woman today would be, Laearties also seemed “modern” and reachable. Oh, and that skinny Scottish bloke playing Hamlet wasn’t half-bad either…actually, he was brilliant.
Probably, for me, the most touchable, realistic Hamlet, I’ve ever encountered. When next I read the play, it will be looked upon with a fresh and newly awakened eyes.
What a total shame. I’m not able to view this video on my iPad or iPhone. PBS: It’s time to graduate your videos to HTML5 and stop depriving so many of your potential viewers because of Flash video.
whiner
I agree. I am a Linux user. Flash support for linux is not very good. Please provide videos in an open format.
ROFL at the CONDOMS!!!
agree wholeheartedly with everyone! loved it all, loved everyone! what a cast! i thought i was the only one who noticed the condoms! so funny! tennant played it his way, and oh how wonderful! the dvd is my mothers day present!
After having had “Hamlet” rammed down my throat in college, I have grown to love it. I was sorry that I couldn’t go to New York (or London) to see Jude Law. Saw a bit of video of it. I’m sure he was excellent. But, I love David Tennant, in Dr. Who, and this was beautiful. Outstanding. All the actors were incredible. Special mention: Penny Downie. Didn’t want it to end. Almost missed this – found it accidentally, saw half of it – and watched the rest on the computer. Was there any promotion? Maybe you could schedule it again. So glad I caught it. Thank you so much.
LOVED IT! Wow! What a great vision of the play. I cried when Hamlet died.
I was lucky enough to see this performance live in Stratford upon Avon. Many thanks to ALL who made this filming possible so many more can enjoy it. The Stewart/Tenant combination is one for the ages!
Me watching Hamlet “This is my favorite part… no no wait, this is my favorite part… just kidding, this is my favorite part… for realsies, this is my favorite part”
I have been dying to see this performance so a big thank you to PBS for making that possible!
amazing fantastic wonderful — i absolutely loved this modernized version of Hamlet (spoken from a formerly die hard traditionalist) – David Tennant was extraordinary as Hamlet, really terrific – please broadcast more of him! – this truly was a Great Performance and i could watch it every day quite literally
Unfortunately I don’t get it in my region :(
Anyone know where else I can watch it?
This is a great production. Thanks
OMG! This was the most amazing thing I have watched in a Very long time. David was Absolutely awesome. and Patrick Stewart was as well. I am going to buy this in the Am. Thank you!!!
Although TV Guide’s story on this Hamlet led me to look for when it would be shown in my area, I did not find any reference to it – only by accident did I see the last few minutes on a Sunday afternoon. I saw all four people die. So now I only have the memory of the Kenneth Branagh Hamlet film from years ago. I hope this Hamlet will be shown again on PBS. The above comments show that such reshowings would be well deserved. I love David Tennant in Dr. Who and am sorry he left that show. And Patrick Stewart always does Shakespeare so superbly. What could our children do it they were read Shakespeare by their family when 4 years old as Patrick’s brother did for him. What an amazing background for the theater.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this and allowing us to watch it for free. I will certainly be pledging this year!!
I found this play lacking in so many ways. It doesn’t come close to the Mel Gibson version or even the Lawrence Olivea versions.
I was fortunate to see this LIVE in Stratford-upon-Avon at the RSC. It was the absolute highlight of our 3 weeks in the UK. Many thanks to all who had a hand in getting this recorded so that many more people can appreciate the wonderful work of Tenant, Stewart and the rest of this terrific cast. Hamlet’s never looked so good. It’s amazingly faithful to the stage production!
I didn’t see this on TV and so appreciate that PBS has left it on the website to watch! I think I’ve watched it four or five times – love it, love it, love it. Only disappointment was the ending – we don’t see Fortinbras come in and take over. The Teacher’s Guide mentions Osric shaking Fortinbras’ hand but that’s not on the film on the website. Are we missing part of it?
This interpretation of Polonius showed me what a fool he was – I’d heard that mentioned (that he was a fool) in various Shakespeare resources but had not understood the comment until this production.
David Tennant was wonderful. So was Patrick Stewart and his fake sorrow over the King’s death, especially the beginning court scene. What a liar! The women were terrific – these are such difficult parts because they don’t get to say very much, but they told us a lot about their characters by what they didn’t say. Nice touch that it appeared Ophelia had never been introduced to the King and Queen and the Queen looks Ophelia up and down like she was checking her out!
And the condoms were too funny!!! Shakespeare’s comments about “ungracious pastors” are certainly contemporary.
I’ve seen several filmed versions of Hamlet and I thought nothing could come close to the Branagh version – I wish this one had more of the original script, because if it was a complete script, it would win out over Branagh! Although the beauty of Branagh’s setting and costumes are incredible, the problems in the play and the relationships are so much more easily understood when the people saying those wonderful lines look like we do (same dress).
thank you to everyone involved and a second thank you to PBS for keeping it out here for us to enjoy again and again!
I stopped by on ur great Site. Good Work sir.
This is the Hamlet I always knew was waiting in the wings for someone to interpret. The flashes of adolescent angst, the verbal one-upmanship, it all harmonizes to present a young man just recently reaching his majority, only to be confronted with the ultimate test of his character. And Tennant did not flinch from the famous lines (like K. Brannagh) but carried them perfectly, he was transfixing! Bravo!
The skull in the graveyard scene is real, belonging to a concert pianist André Tchaikowsky. The whole story is on the website, http://andretchaikowsky.com. Interesting.
It’s pretty sad that PBS will push to get Canadians to donate and support it’s programing, however, it will not allow us to view this film. Shame on you.
“Where is Polonius?”
“IN HEAVEN!”
The location, situation and delivery of those two lines sums up why this is by far the best Hamlet version ever. Light-years ahead of the Olivier/Gibson/Branagh productions.
It will never let me watch the video. Evertime I try I get a message that it is currently unavailable. :(
Dear Wispa,
You may not have the most up-to-date version of Flash. Click the following link to upgrade your Flash Player. http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Add another comment if you still have problems. Thanks!
Patrick Stewart AND David Tennant?!! This is Hamlet especially for sci-fi nerds! I loved every second of it and will recommend it to everyone I know.
Fantastic production, but what is the problem with the playback? This keeps cutting out every couple of minutes and I have to reload the page. Very frustrating to have to interrupt so excellent a performance–particularly in the middle of soliloquys. Grrrrrr. If the player has settings restrictions it would be great to know about them up front.
Woah stunning site. I really love reading these writings
Fantastic, when will the Hamlet film be broadcast again?
Fabulous resource for both students and teachers!
i am in aw great performance I have seen many plays; however, this one is by far the best. I also love the fact that we have both the Doctor and Captain Jean-Luc Picard. by and by a great play congrats.
I have never liked modern settings for Shakespeare but this was just fabulous, and I’ve decided, why not. It’s the story, not the setting. David Tennant is remarkable. I’ve just discovered him on Dr. Who, which my son got me hooked on. He is just such an amazing actor. I watched “Cassanova” online and was also blown away. He has been a secret in the UK which I hope will be shared.
David’s currently filming his first Hollywood movie, the remake of Fright Night…so he shouldn’t be a secret much longer in the United States (if folks recognize him out of costume.) He’s playing the role of Peter Vincent, which in this remake, is a Las Vegas magician (as opposed to a horror show host in the original 1985 movie)…looking quite unrecognizable and Goth/Criss Angel-like in the few set photos seen at this point of a banner and standees featuring his character. Fright Night is due out on October 7, 2011.
Granted, it may not be PBS fare…but he should catch the eyes of more Americans…
There’s always the hope some of his other post-Doctor Who UK work could reach PBS or US theaters…as one of them is a 4-part mini-series that will air during October in the UK (Single Father), and would fit rather nicely into the Masterpiece Contemporary strand that David hosts for PBS…Another is a British Rom-Com that looks to be fairly interesting…
I love David Tennant he is awesome
Exceptional efforts that you’ve gotten above. Please stick to the exceptional work.I’ll undoubtedly visit to get skilled.
David Tennant was brilliant. His delivery was so much more than the usual spasm of memorized words spoken by other Shakespearean actors. The passion and depth of emotion he breathed into the part brought new understanding and meaning to this timeless story. Thank you for the privilege of viewing this wonderful production.
Fantastic production, but what is the problem with the playback? This keeps cutting out every couple of minutes and I have to reload the page. Very frustrating to have to interrupt so excellent a performance–particularly in the middle of soliloquys. Grrrrrr. If the player has settings restrictions it would be great to know about them up front.
Fantastic, when will the Hamlet film be broadcast again?
Watched Macbeth and it was fabulous. Watched half of Hamlet last evening and tried to log on tonight and it said it was restricted in our area! What gives?
When I try to watch this, it says it’s ‘not available in your region due to rights restriction’. Huh? I am able to watch other videos from the Great Performances site…
Hi Lauren,
Unfortunately, you cannot stream the full video of Macbeth if you are outside of North America (U.S. and Canada). It’s a long story, but simply those are the rules we have to follow so we can show it on the web. The DVD is available for purchase at http://www.shopthirteen.org.
I live in Jacksonville, Fl., And that is well within the North American Boundarie’s and I am having the exact same problem with the regional right’s issue, Why can I not view this production?
Daniel,
Thanks for your feedback. I’ll look into it and hopefully we can figure out what’s going on. Just in case, on your end try updating Adobe Flash (download here) and your JavaScript (download here) and see if that helps first. Thank you for your interest in the program!
I live in Michigan.
I live in NYC. Was able to watch it last week, but now get the regional restriction message.
Hi Iris,
Yes, we’ve discovered a technical problem and it’s being worked on as we speak. We hope to have the film back up as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!
Hello Viewers,
We’re happy to announce that the Hamlet video is up and running again. Thank you all for your patience! If you enjoy classical music, please stay tuned for GREAT PERFORMANCES: Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Pierre Boulez Conducts Mahler’s 7th which airs this Wednesday at 9:00pm (check local listings).
Thanks to PBS for posting this. Doctor Who fans take note – Sylvestor McCoy plays the fool in the KIng Lear with Ian McKellen, also can be streamed from this website. If only the David Tennent Dooctor had saved a copy, maybe we could have streamed Love’s Labor’s Won from PBS as well.
If there was a “Like” button, I would click it for your comment!
Ok, Now I’ve seen it. The technical issues seem to have been fixed. Good for that, although I did find the viewing a bit choppy. truncated. as if every second frame was truncated to make the internet transmission that much easier. But I don;t know. Normally modern dress Shakespeare rates as too muchh THEME with me, not enough embodiemnet of Shakespeares characteers and palys. Not this time. this was good. Shakespeare, like single a malt scotch, is an aquireed taste. One ought first know the play, then shakesererience the differeces by productions. Watch this. It’s good. But for an academics understanding start with Olivier. Although. have you no Ollivier, or he can wait, start here. The skulls in the graveyard looked real.
I have read the play 20+ times in my “complete works of W.S.” . This is the first time I’ve ever seen it performed. Of course it is nothing like I seen it in my “minds eye” while reading, but I enjoyed it tremendously in this modern setting. Bravo, Bravo to all that had any part in it’s production.
Can we please have closed captioning for these magnificent plays?
Hello there, just wandered by. I have a Curious George site. Truly more information than you can imagine on the web. Wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but cool site. Have a good day.
Thank you for putting this on the web! David Tennant & Patrick Stewart together = Brilliant.
This is the same guy that plays Macbeth in Macbeth that plays Claudius in Hamlet. He must have a knack for being the villain. But he is such an amazing actor
Darn it! I live in LatinAmerica. I can’t watch it live! Why can I watch it online instead? (Darn geographic restrictions!)
David Tennant makes a great Hamlet, he shows a completely new side of the character. Great interpretation, out of all the Hamlet productions I ‘ve seen, this was my favorite!
Re geographic restriction…. you state that this can be seen inside North America (USA and Canada). I live in British Columbia. I support PBS. Yet this is not available when I try to connect. What am I missing??
Regards, JM.
This was fabulous. David Tennant and Patrick Stewart were absolutely amazing
I absolutely loved this movie. I first watched David Tennant act on Doctor Who, he is an amazing actor. After reading the play, i ahve noticed that some scenes are are presented very well in this movie. Although, i didn’t care for the ending very much with the duel and the King’s death, i enjoyed the movie very much.
David Tennant is beyond good in this adaption of Hamlet. He draws you into the soliloquys so effortlessly…sometimes I found myself hardly breathing! He handles the lines magnificently and really makes them his own. Patrick Stewart does great as well.
The only thing that I found aggravating about this adaption is Ophelia. They just didn’t seem to take a lot of care with her character, or care too much about the actress they picked either. But Tennant more than makes up for any deficiencies. I went straight out and bought the DVD after I saw it.
Rated F movies to watch: Bringing Up Baby, Sabrina, To Catch a Thief, And God Created Woman, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s…
I’ve a great deal of memories located on VCR tapes that i want to convert over to DVD, exactly how tough will it be?
every time i read hamlet i want some potato salad… is that strange?
I have loved Hamlet ever since my Shakespeare teacher in graduate school first introduced me to the play via the Zeffirell-Mel Gibson adaptation. Since then I have thoroughly enjoyed numerous adaptations, including the Branagh film version, Kevin Kline’s stage adaptation, even the HBO animated segment. But nothing could have ever prepared me for this version.
David Tennant truly redefines Hamlet for this generation, and Patrick Stewart is absolutely commanding as Claudius and the king – he showcases what brought him to the dance all those years ago! An absolutely breathtaking adaptation. See it on Blu-ray for the most wonderful picture and sound!
I appreciate the quality of production here, as well as the originality of setting…however, I have to ask – where is Fortinbras? The entire context of the play is lost without his entrance at the end. We are left to wonder, what will happen to Denmark? How will this royal family’s internal turmoil, the “poison in the ear” that Claudius started, impact the entire nation? Without Fortinbras, Hamlet may as well be any troubled young man whose father was murdered. While that is an interesting take, Shakespeare made this family royal for a reason, and their actions have consequences far beyond their own personal experiences…To lose Fortinbras at the end is to remove a very significant aspect of this play, a removal that I am not sure I can support….
I have loved Shakespeare since junior high, and Hamlet since I first saw the Branagh version. This performance was well done, though I was rather let down by Ophelia. Thank goodness there was a strong cast around her. David Tennant, whom I absolutely love as the Doctor played the madness scenes so excellently! The “serious” ones, however, weren’t as strong in my opinion. If I could get a blend of Branagh’s seriousness, and Tennant’s madness, it’d be a perfect Hamlet.
I am to play Claudius, and I feel as though I am ill prepared considering this is my first play ever. Any suggestions on the part from anyone? I watch Patrick Stewart and he plays a fantastic Claudius but then again I am not Patrick Stewart. I feel as though I need to show a lot more emotion on the “O, my offense is rank…..” monologue but I can’t muster the tears to cry, any suggestions or help would be fantastic.
if every second frame was truncated to make the internet transmission that much easier. But I don;t know. Normally modern dress Shakespeare rates as too much THEME with me, not enough embodiments of Shakespeare characteristic and plays.
This was the only production of Hamlet that I’ve seen. I loved it, though I’d like a recommendation of another that is more true to the time being portrayed. The modern clothes threw me off a bit, I still found myself getting lost in the acting. Truly great cast. I will watch this again and recommend it to others.
Until I saw this version (and I’m biased as Tennant is my favorite actor), I always enjoyed the Mel Gibson version. Not sure when exactly Hamlet is supposed to take place so I don’t know how historically correct it is, but it is done in period costume. Also, the Kenneth Brannagh version is excellent…and long. I’ve never seen the complete Lawrence Olivier version, but it is used as a benchmark for classic Shakespeare on film. Hope that helps!
i find david tennant to be amazing
good job my doctor
why isn’t he wearing shoes?
I took the barefoot thing to be an act of defiance. But it could be to emphasize his mental state.
After talking with King Hamlet’s ghost, Hamlet decides to act crazy so that King Claudius can’t determine what he is thinking or what he has learned. Toward this end, Hamlet’s clothing is described as disheveled and out of sorts. Ophelia states it in this way:
“My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced;
No hat upon his head; his stockings fouled,
Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle;
Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosèd out of hell
To speak of horrors—he comes before me.”
What you see in this performance of Hamlet is an interpretation of this.
Superior acting. Patrick Stewart never sounds like he’s reciting. Tennant has the acting capacity to play Hamlet’s many modes and intonations. The rest of the cast is also formidable. My only qualm DON’T MESS WITH THE TO BE OR NOT TO BE SOLILOQUY!!!!!!!!
What the heck is up with the setting, wardrobe and speech none of it flows together at all, I was so confused on what time era to place this movie in. I was distracted with the fact that their speech never once fit into their clothing or setting, the acting was great and I found hamlet to be very funny and convincing in the act of being crazy. But the one room where everything took place also bothered me, I think if their was more room to move about and have a little bit more scenery it would of made the movie a little better. But again I wasn’t to impressed with the way the whole movie didn’t fit any time era. When I think of hamlet I think of old age, swords, armor, castle, horses, war etc but this was like a spin on modern day and sort of kind of old age, just very confusing.
Just wanted to say very good website
HAMLET! Look no further this is definitive! Question- how can you not love the Royal Shakespeare Company? Really Shakespeare must needs be allegorical and brought into a modern theme- how else is one to ignite passion for it? Like Opera you need to evolve and ask- how do I reach a new audience/generation? Again most excellent! continue to bring us more Great Performances like this!
Gertrude’s reaction to Claudius asking her not to drink… I’d never seen that sort of interpretation… she seems to know what’s in the cup.
Also, how she follows Laertes after Hamlet’s apology and Laertes’ acceptance… She seems to know that something is about to transpire. I love this interpretation of Gertrude.
I don’t get Patrick Stewart’s shrug though…
Watching for maybe the fifth (?!) time, I’ve drawn the same conclusion as at the first viewing: David Tennant is the best. Hamlet. EVER. Thank you, PBS. And everyone in the production.
:)
Is it weird that I have this bookmarked and watch it A LOT? I LOVE this version.
I really don’t think this is how shakespeare wanted Hamlet to be performed
Honestly, David Tennant’s portrayal of Hamlet is the best I’ve ever seen. Hamlet is my favorite Shakespeare play, and it has been done so much justice here. Not speaking as a Whovian or even a plain old Tennant fan. I’m speaking as a viewer and admirer of this play.
I don’t get it. It says “Watch the film,” but I can’t watch the film.
Hi Fred,
Try clicking on the center of the picture and a “play” symbol should appear. Click play and enjoy the show.
Thanks for your comment.
Yes of course unplugging your router/modem and back on will work. Just logging in to your isp again will work, or anything that changes your ip number will work.
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Simply marvelous performances…truth and justice prevail and Hamlet’s plot reigns TRUE!
I first read Hamlet my junior year in high school, and I loved it then. Now that I’m in graduate school I don’t have a lot of time for reading or watching for pleasure. I took 3 hours of my day to watch this (and read along with the text) and it was an amazing decision. I laughed, cried, and everything in between. Amazing and thanks for sharing this performance, it is indeed a Great!
After I saw this version of Hamlet I was speechless. It brings a whole new dimension to the play that I have never seen before. This movie actually moved me to tears at one point, for the first time in my life a movie has made me cry. The acting goes above and beyond anything I have seen before.
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“I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space…”
Well, it is bigger on the inside ;)
That is a nice pun/joke! I must say!
I’m so glad I found this site! I’ve been wanting to watch this production for a very long time! David Tennant + Patrick Stewart = Brilliant!
Only bad part is that I can’t watch it in Canada.
Can’t go wrong with Jean-Luc Picard and Gandolf.
Boy, do I love seeing Shakespeare performed well!
It was great meeting you at SW! Great job with all the organization. Keep in touch!
Really like this post. As a teacher in school it is important to keep content fresh and engaging, and moving away from dry bullet points is a fast, easy and practical way to do that.
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Was only able to see the first half. Loved it!Are you able to schedule again after Dec 25th?
LOVE Sir Patrick Stewart!! LOVE David Tennant!!!
PBS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!! More Sir Patrick Stewart!!
And please PLEASE PLEASE – - bring MORE Tennant series and Shakespeare performances to American television!!!
This DVD is on my “Gotta Have It!!!” list!!!
I loved the acting, and the production was great overall. However, if I were to change anything I would keep it in the original time period of the play. I’m not usually a big fan of modernizations.
But still, Tennant is my favorite actor, Shakespeare is my favorite playwright, and Hamlet is my favorite play. I’d like to see more remakes in the future, perhaps The Merchant of Venice.
wish it gotta sub-title… but its great so far
This “Hamlet” was beyond excellent. I loved the way everyone was dressed, the mixed cast, the creepy feeling that everyone was being watched via hidden camera, the acting, everything. And while I don’t especially like “Doctor Who” (the ongoing series), I thought the pairing of Tennant and Stewart was insanely brilliant. (As someone said earlier this is a version for sci-fi fans, lol.) I’ve read a couple other works by Shakespeare but this is the first time I’ve read and watched “Hamlet”. Thanks for the wonderful introduction PBS.
Ola hola est ola. Sola mola kola tula@@!!!! HAHAHA
A wonderful performance from the actors, but between the direction and the editing of the text they disrupted the original gradual increase in the pacing in the play. It seemed to speed up so fast towards the end that it felt rushed and anti-climatic.
The camera gimmick didn’t work at all. They were an unnecessary distraction, and if you’re going to have modern CCTV cameras, then why does Hamlet have an obsolete 8mm film camera? Especially annoying when he is talking to it live, which we see as developed film, complete with computer generated color grading and film scratches.
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