Hamlet at Elsinore

I have seen almost every performance of Hamlet available on DVD, and each one has something special to offer, and most have, like the hero, some flaw which makes them less than perfect. The most common flaw is that the script is cropped. The most common extraction is to remove the sub-plot with Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern. This version does not remove those scenes. It appears to be complete. It boasts that it was performed and recorded in the very same Elsinore Castle in which Shakespeare's play took place. That may be the reason for some of the weakness in the photography and sound. I often had a hard time hearing some of the minor actors, although there was no trouble hearing the major actors. Christopher Plummer in the title role was fabulous. He played his "demented" scenes better than anyone except, possibly David Tennant in a very recent filming. Robert Shaw as Claudius was very good, but not quite as good as Derek Jacobi in Kenneth Branagh's version. The role of Polonius was well done, but the quality drops off from there. Michael Caine plays Horatio, and is undistinguished in the part. This is NOT a version to watch if you have seen no other versions. Your best "first" look is Branagh's version, which is complete. Next to that is the classic filming staring Sir Laurence Olivier.

I knew if any actor could make me finally appreciate William Shakespeare's "Hamlet", it is Christopher Plummer. I was right! I won't go into the play itself, or whether Shakespeare is the greatest playwright of all time; or whether Hamlet is the greatest male role of all time, and all that. Simply put, Plummer is completely mesmerizing as Hamlet. I couldn't take my eyes off charismatic Christopher for a second. If Plummer's Hamlet isn't definitive, (the "Best Hamlet" is a topic for endless debate), his interpretation definitely deserves to stand alongside Laurence Olivier and Richard Burton. But, I almost expected Plummer would knock my socks off. The real surprise here is Robert Shaw as King Claudius. Shaw easily matches Plummer in the charisma department. Shaw's Claudius is formidable, forceful, sexual and dangerous. Different productions place the emphasis on different character relationships. A production could place all the emphasis on Hamlet himself; or Hamlet and Ophelia, perhaps. Many productions place an obvious emphasis on the relationship between Hamlet and his mother, Queen Gertrude. Dramatically speaking, this production is an intriguing battle of wills between Hamlet and his uncle-stepfather Claudius. Director Philip Saville's production was considered "radical" in many aspects. It was filmed at Elsinore Castle, where the play takes place. Many scenes were filmed outdoors. A lot of the play is set at night; directly against the crashing waves of the sea. The black and white photography is, of course, well-suited to the dark story. The supporting cast is excellent. Michael Caine, two years away from his breakout role in "Alfie", is an especially devoted Horatio. Dyson Lovell is a youthful, fresh-faced Laertes. Jo Maxwell Muller is an extremely interesting choice as tragic Ophelia. Muller looks to be no older than 15; she may have been younger. (Plummer, by contrast was around age 34-35 here). Muller's "mad scene", where she looks like she might turn into Linda Blair in "The Exorcist" any second, is heartbreaking. Even more creepy is her funeral scene. Muller is literally lowered into the grave, and it looks like Hamlet and Laertes are going to kill each other right inside her grave, too! June Tobin, looking about the same age as Plummer, plays Hamlet's mother Queen Gertrude. The famous bedroom scene between Hamlet and Gertrude explodes with the expected dramatic intensity. Roy Kinnear makes a memorable appearance as the Gravedigger. Donald Sunderland, in the brief role of Fortinbras, is the only actor who appears to be out of place. The great mystery is: why did the BBC keep this dramatic gem buried for 47 years? The DVD transfer is excellent, especially since this videotaped production hasn't seen the light of day since 1964. Also, running at 2 hours and 50 minutes, this "Hamlet" still moves along at a better pace than many other productions-- although I did take a break and watched it over a two day period. The DVD begins with a promo for an "intelligent, modern production" of "Hamlet" starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. Let's see... watch another "Hamlet" after watching Plummer and Shaw at their best, career apex?...OH, PLEASE!!!! Even better than "Hamlet" is the 90 minute live interview with Christopher Plummer himself on the second DVD. NPR film critic David Edelstein is a bit two fawning during the interview. But Plummer, now 80 years old and an extremely entertaining rascal, is too sharp to let much get by him. Plummer is keenly self-aware of his successes and his failures, both as an actor and as a human being. It seems Plummer finally learned humility when he hit middle-age; and his third wife Elaine demanded that he stop his drinking and other self-destructive behaviors. Plummer talks about everything from Shakespeare to "The Sound Of Music." There's also an infamous film called "Waterloo", that was almost the waterloo of his career. Plummer discusses working with such directors as Elia Kazan, Robert Wise, and John Huston, and working with his "Hamlet" co-stars Michael Caine and Robert Shaw. Plummer's memories of prickly Rex Harrison and his tragic wife Rachel Roberts are alternately humorous and heartbreaking. I honestly did not know whether to laugh or cry, so I did both. Two of Plummer's leading ladies, Helen Mirren and Julie Andrews, receive special mention. In the case of this "Hamlet" 47 years is too long to wait, and 90 minutes is too short of a time to spend with the talented and fabulous Christopher Plummer.

This vintage production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features three legendary actors in their prime: Christopher Plummer as Hamlet, Michael Caine as Horatio, and Robert Shaw as Claudius. And as the title states, the production was filmed at Elsinore, the actual setting of Shakespeare's play: the moody, Gothic setting provides the perfect backdrop for the tragedy about a troubled prince who is commanded by his father's ghost to avenge his murder by Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. In keeping with the Revenge Tragedy genre, Hamlet dithers and delays for five acts until action is forced upon him during the climactic dueling scene with Laertes. Ghosts, madness, backstabbing (both literal and figurative) and a play within a play all contribute to making this dark production of "Hamlet" an unforgettable masterpiece.

Considering this was originally recorded on video tape in 1964 (when I first saw it on TV), the viuals are sharp and crispThe cast (Christopher Plummer, Michael Caine, Robert Shaw) were relative unknowns back thenThe production was filmed at Elsinore castle, same place the original play (back in 1600) was staged.Overall, an excellent version of Hamlet...highly recommended!

A great idea - to film a production of Hamlet at Elsinore castle in Denmark - definitely gives the production a particular atmosphere. All the cast are good, and obviously it is interesting to see Michael Caine ( as Horatio ) before he became a mega-star. So, the setting, costumes, lighting ( the film is in black and white ), and the actors all really good - the only drawback for me was the pacing, which seemed a bit uncertain, so that the play didn't always flow. However, not in anyway disappointing, and well worth watching.Come on BBC - how many more good things from the past are still hidden away in your vaults ?PS - I thought Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet was a master class in how to film Hamlet, or Shakespeare, ( or anything come to that ). Given how long his film is, being the whole text, he has fantastic sense of the shape of the play, and a similar sense of the shape of scenes, so the whole thing flows and sweeps you along. It was that sense of shape or design that was missing from Hamlet at Elsinore.

This is a glorious production, dominated by one of the great actors of our time, Christopher Plummer. I have seen this only once before at the NFT in 2000, a special showing, I loved it then, it is great now to have it in my collection. I have loved this actor since The Sound of Music, when he first came to worldwide prominence, and I have followed his career ever since. He dominates this production, and although he would deny it, he outshines all before him. So called stars like Michael Caine, and Robert Shaw fade into the background, CP dominates every scene he is in. The only exception is Alec Clunes, who gives a wonderful and wholly professional performance. This year Christopher Plummer finally got the recognition he has deserved for decades from the film industry. Please buy this and see his Hamlet. British fans, (who actually finance the BBC!!) might have to pay more, but it is worth it.

A really excellent item competitively priced and with reasonable postal charges for an overseas customer quickly posted - top marks!

I can't agreee with the reviewer who complained about the video quality. It is a TV production from the sixties, but the video quality is excellent for all that. And the acting is superb. Christopher Plummer is one of the great Shakepearean actors of our time and we are priveleged to see him here at the beginning of his illustrious career. We also see another Canadian actor at the beginning of his career: Donald Sutherland playing Fortinbras. I believe it was his very first role. And Michael Caine playing Horatio, and of course, Robert Shaw as Claudius. Could you ask for more?

What a joy to have available again this production which I loved more years ago than I wish to remember. The whole production speaks care and attention to detail, performed by a magnificent cast headed of course by the superb Christopher Plummer and featuring a host of rising stars of the period including Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland. Highly recommended if you like Shakespeare (and if you don't, you should!)