This was an incredibly fascinating Hamlet ... at least that's how I remember it after over 35 years. I have not been able to see it since. Why is it not available on VHS or DVD? Christopher Plumber is always fascinating, and Robert Shaw was by far the best Claudius ever filmed (videotaped?)! Add the extra thrill of the REAL Elsinore, and you have a great experience. Bring it back!
22 Reviews
HAMLET AT ELSINORE, Television Dramatization, 1964
ray-harp1 April 2009
Even though I saw this program only twice 45 years ago, the quality of the acting and the high production standards made this HAMLET a very memorable experience. I was a drama student in high school at that time, and very much into Shakespeare and classical theater. I am now a semi-retired actor, director, and author; I have seen over 35 movie, television, and stage productions of HAMLET, and still remember Mr. Plummer's interpretation of HAMLET with clear distinction. The fine acting, the atmosphere, and the authentic staging created by filming at the actual Elsinore Castle in Denmark make this HAMLET the benchmark to which most other productions have aspired. In addition to Christopher Plummer, the cast included Robert Shaw, Michael Caine, Roy Kinnear, and Donald Sutherland. However, the most amazing thing about this HAMLET is that it has never become available in either VHS or DVD. THAT is the REAL tragedy... indeed, something does seem rotten in the State of Denmark.
Helped hook me on Shakespeare
Patrick-3910 December 1998
This movie is special to me - my Dad was the...
joeras1 June 2009
It is out of a long memory I write this review and the score of ten is biased as my late Father was the recording engineer. How dearly I would love to have a copy of this. If somebody has this on tape from a TV screening, check the credits for Palle K Rasmussen. He was in charge of "Dubbing" - the audio side - of DR, the Danish equivalent of the BBC. As the BBC did the video side my Dad was boss of the audio side. The old Elsinore Castle, known as Kronborg by the locals, was not electrified and the BBC paid several thousand pounds to have it done. There is a beach in front of the castle looking across the Sound to Sweden, and as a kid went fishing there (I live in Australia). Now my sister lives in the outskirts of Elsinore and works in the bank near the shadow of the castle. Also Joern Utzon, the designer of the Opera House here in Sydney, lived nearby but passed away just recently. If you ever go there, do go to the castle and see the famous 200 feet long great Knights Hall where the final scene of the duel and Hamlet's death was filmed, the very place Shakespeare had in mind. Walk through the grottoes as well and see the sleeping Holger the Dane. It is well worth it.
As for Plummer's performance, it is a very sensitive and reflective one. Quite authentic in its own way. Now can anybody help with a copy... ?
As for Plummer's performance, it is a very sensitive and reflective one. Quite authentic in its own way. Now can anybody help with a copy... ?
The BBC has announced a DVD issue in 2011
tonstant viewer11 January 2011
It's funny that so many people remember this telecast from almost 50 years ago. And with such uniformly positive feelings.
I remember the pounding waves and the Long Hall. I remember Robert Shaw as the first Claudius I ever saw who was not only sonorous and regal, but violent, and sexy enough to seduce the Queen and make her agree to kill her husband. I remember Donald Sutherland coming in at the end as Fortinbras, and for once saving the character from being a wimpy, pompous letdown.
Until recently, the film could only be seen in America at the Paley Media Centers in New York and Los Angeles.
However Sir Michael Caine was recently reminded of his participation in this long-forgotten film, and he asked the BBC to resurrect it.
We'll all have a chance to check our memories soon.
I remember the pounding waves and the Long Hall. I remember Robert Shaw as the first Claudius I ever saw who was not only sonorous and regal, but violent, and sexy enough to seduce the Queen and make her agree to kill her husband. I remember Donald Sutherland coming in at the end as Fortinbras, and for once saving the character from being a wimpy, pompous letdown.
Until recently, the film could only be seen in America at the Paley Media Centers in New York and Los Angeles.
However Sir Michael Caine was recently reminded of his participation in this long-forgotten film, and he asked the BBC to resurrect it.
We'll all have a chance to check our memories soon.
Most Complete Hamlet on Film
mjwilken16 January 2007
I was more fortunate than I knew at the time to catch this version of Hamlet in 1964. I was a teen and newly smitten with Shakespeare tragedies. I taped the audio from our television with my new Wollensak 7" reel-to-reel. I listened to and studied that tape for the rest of my adolescence, watched the Olivier Hamlet and later others, both onstage and on film, and this is the one that stayed with me as the most complete in every dimension. The cast was the best balanced, the setting the most evocative of place and time. Above all, this treatment of character and motivation was the most humanly real, truthful, not pontifical like Olivier's or melodramatic and stagy like others. I have been looking for any kind of reproduction of it ever since, even an audio. What I wouldn't give to have this on CD now!
The Dane at his best - and danish television have it!
rmribban27 December 2006
This is an outstanding Hamlet-performance, I saw the movie back in 1964 or 65 on danish television and have never forgotten it. I have hunted it for some years and came pretty close by emailing danish television's drama department where they in a kind and friendly way informed me that it was to be transmitted on danish television in "the nearest future" - so they recommended that I kept an eye on the danish program schedules. This was 4 years ago - but I never saw it announced nor did I see it shown on danish television as they had "promised". But this ought to mean that they most certainly possess a copy. The big question is: How do we make them put the film on TV or make a commercial DVD that we can buy? Anybody have any ideas?
Complementary: Now is 2007 22 December (happy x-mas). I have (with some difficulties) had contact with the danish television archive. They now say, that they can not find a copy of "Hamlet of Elsinore" in their archives. Unfortunately, I prefer not to believe that, I believe there is a lack of will or competence involved. I have had threads going in Denmark, that confirms that a certain amount of curiousness is going on - but nobody knows anything. Or do not want to. What is going on? Who owns the rights? If not danish television, then it has to be BBC. How do we make BBC open up? As said by the common press, both danish and BBC-press have opened their archives. How does these pretty words affect us? I have tried to make TCM interested, but have got no answer. Don't anybody care - except Mr Plummer himself, who wishes us to have this gem? This is a treasure of mankind! Give it to mankind, then!
Complementary: Now is 2007 22 December (happy x-mas). I have (with some difficulties) had contact with the danish television archive. They now say, that they can not find a copy of "Hamlet of Elsinore" in their archives. Unfortunately, I prefer not to believe that, I believe there is a lack of will or competence involved. I have had threads going in Denmark, that confirms that a certain amount of curiousness is going on - but nobody knows anything. Or do not want to. What is going on? Who owns the rights? If not danish television, then it has to be BBC. How do we make BBC open up? As said by the common press, both danish and BBC-press have opened their archives. How does these pretty words affect us? I have tried to make TCM interested, but have got no answer. Don't anybody care - except Mr Plummer himself, who wishes us to have this gem? This is a treasure of mankind! Give it to mankind, then!
The first time I met Hamlet
gittel-119688 February 2020
I wasn't very old but I was fascinated. Of course Christopher Plummer and Robert Shaw were brilliant, but it was also fascinating to watch a young Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland. Since I'm Danish it was a special thrill that it was actually filmed where Shakespeare let it take place. I would love to watch it again.
Chris Plummer channels Larry Olivier
HotToastyRag22 November 2017
Kids today might only associate Christopher Plummer with The Sound of Music or Up, but he's actually quite an accomplished actor! In my book, anyone who can take on Shakespeare must know their stuff; Chris has played in Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, The Tempest, Henry V, Twelfth Night, The Winter's Tale, Henry IV Part 1, Much Ado About Nothing, King John, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Richard III, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. Knowing all that, it seems rather silly he won his Oscar for Beginners, doesn't it?
In any case, he starred in Hamlet at Elsinore as the confused, perpetually upset Danish prince. Robert Shaw costarred as Hamlet's uncle, June Tobin as the queen, Jo Maxwell Muller as Ophelia, and Michael Caine as Horatio. If you particularly like this Shakespearian tragedy, or are a Christopher Plummer fan, this is a good one to watch. I think everyone has their favorite version, and my heart lies with Richard Burton, but if you liked Laurence Olivier's interpretation you'll probably like Chris's as well. He's very clearly lost in his head, and his emotions are raw, accessible with only the slightest provocation. He's off in a dream world in one moment, then the next, he sees his friends and is so genuinely delighted to see them, he's forgotten anything at all was wrong a moment ago. When he's rude and insulting, the audience can see it's because he's so wounded inside, he can't take any more and lashing out at others is his release. However, there's one exception: during the famous "Get thee to a nunnery" monologue, he's particularly cruel to Ophelia, the most deliberately mean delivery of any I've seen. When you watch Jo collapse in tears after Chris exits, you just might shed a tear alongside her.
Since I'm not a Shakespeare aficionado, I require an abundance of energy from actors to help me understand what it is they're saying, hence my partiality to Richard Burton. But, if you are a little more well-versed than I am, you should definitely give Christopher Plummer's version a try. It's a different interpretation, but still very good.
In any case, he starred in Hamlet at Elsinore as the confused, perpetually upset Danish prince. Robert Shaw costarred as Hamlet's uncle, June Tobin as the queen, Jo Maxwell Muller as Ophelia, and Michael Caine as Horatio. If you particularly like this Shakespearian tragedy, or are a Christopher Plummer fan, this is a good one to watch. I think everyone has their favorite version, and my heart lies with Richard Burton, but if you liked Laurence Olivier's interpretation you'll probably like Chris's as well. He's very clearly lost in his head, and his emotions are raw, accessible with only the slightest provocation. He's off in a dream world in one moment, then the next, he sees his friends and is so genuinely delighted to see them, he's forgotten anything at all was wrong a moment ago. When he's rude and insulting, the audience can see it's because he's so wounded inside, he can't take any more and lashing out at others is his release. However, there's one exception: during the famous "Get thee to a nunnery" monologue, he's particularly cruel to Ophelia, the most deliberately mean delivery of any I've seen. When you watch Jo collapse in tears after Chris exits, you just might shed a tear alongside her.
Since I'm not a Shakespeare aficionado, I require an abundance of energy from actors to help me understand what it is they're saying, hence my partiality to Richard Burton. But, if you are a little more well-versed than I am, you should definitely give Christopher Plummer's version a try. It's a different interpretation, but still very good.
A TV Hamlet that needs to be put on DVD
mauricerobson3624 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this performance of Hamlet on TV in the mid 60's. It is the Hamlet that I compare to all others. In 1948 Lawrence Olivier won the Academy Award for his production, but I find it too theatrical and dramatic. Richard Chamberlain played the role in the worst Hamlet production I ever saw - he spat the words out like machine gun bullets.
Christopher Plummer's own character has exactly the correct diffidence and uncertainty that is required to play the role of Hamlet. It is a disservice to the public that this production is not available.
Robert Shaw played The uncle King Claudius and put on a fine performance, and if I remember correctly, that was Micheal Caine as Horatio, so there was an excellent supporting cast.
Christopher Plummer's own character has exactly the correct diffidence and uncertainty that is required to play the role of Hamlet. It is a disservice to the public that this production is not available.
Robert Shaw played The uncle King Claudius and put on a fine performance, and if I remember correctly, that was Micheal Caine as Horatio, so there was an excellent supporting cast.
What is that accent?
robertasmith6 November 2023
The history of cinema and TV has many examples of inexplicable accents. In this film/TV production, Donald Sutherland has one of the strangest I have ever heard. He plays Fortinbras, a small but important part as it is that characters words that close the play. His performance is the reason I have only scored it a 7 as his performance aside, this is one of the best Hamlets I have ever seen. Plummer is spot on in the title role and both Michael Caine and Robert Shaw surprised me with the excellence of their performances. This was made in 1964 and I have only just seen it. (2023). Micahael Caine is one of the few performers in still alive...and not a lot of people know that!
A copy of Hamlet at Elsinore
annamarie_bayley2 March 2005
I am looking for a copy of Christopher Plummer as Hamlet at Elsinore, my aunt watched it when it was shown on TV in the UK in 1964, and said it was the best version of Hamlet she had seen. I am studying at drama school, and very interested in obtaining a copy for her and myself. It seems the BBC over here has not produced copies, and I suspect they have recorded over it with the pathetic programmes that are shown today. If anyone has any idea of how I might go about getting a copy of this, I would be extremely grateful, I saw on one website it was in a museum in New York. Can you get copies from there?
Thanks a lot, Annamarie
Thanks a lot, Annamarie
A Prince
proteus684713 October 2012
Christopher Plummer's Hamlet is so fine that it redeems a bad film and goes a long way towards redeeming Plummer's career. Here is a man whose gifts might have placed him among the great classical actors, but it was not to be. The fault, dear Brutus, lay in his wayward commitment, a matinée-idol fecklessness that frequently opted for the easy or thoughtless way out. His Iago (1982) was a palimpsest of clashing interpretations; his ashen Macbeth (1988) died before the play began; and his Lear's (2004) admonition that nothing can come from nothing was self-referential. But his Cyrano (1973) was marvelous: romantic and contemporary, eloquent and neurotic, febrile and edgy yet flamboyant, it synthesized centuries of acting styles in a manner reminiscent of Olivier. I am happy to add Hamlet to the list of his achievements.
Plummer gives us the complete Prince where others have given us parcels. He has looks, presence, breeding, charm, athleticism, wit and consummate grace. He also has a touch of the feminine (which works well for Hamlet), yet is incontestably virile. This is important: one mustn't feel that Hamlet's fitful misogyny springs from congenital attraction to his own sex. There is no doubt that Plummer could have happily married Ophelia in a better world than Denmark. Nor is there any doubt of his capacity for martial exploits if his mind could deem them authentic. "Hamlet does not think too much but too well," and Plummer has the capacity (lacking in Gibson, Branagh and Hawke) to convey a subtle and probing mind. Michael Pennington (1980) was more intellectual, Derek Jacobi quirkier in his line-readings, but neither combined thought and surprise with sexual incandescence as Plummer does. He is a bright particular Star who has been wounded into inwardness, which is merely to say that he is Hamlet.
The movie serves as foil to Plummer: its badness makes his talent stick fiery off indeed. Filmed at Kronberg Castle in Elsinore, it struggles to work new interiors and grounds into every frame. At times, this pays dividends: The Players' first scene takes place in an open-air courtyard, conveying an exhilarating sense of freedom. Alas, most of the locations are derivative, distracting or nugatory. Repeated shots of waves crashing upon rocks look backwards to Olivier's Hamlet (1948) and sideways at Kozintsev's (1964). One stony corridor is much like another. The Nunnery Scene is filmed in the castle's chapel (acceptable) with Hamlet standing above and beyond Ophelia in the pulpit (not). A minister exhorting a sinful parishioner may seem like an apt metaphor, but the actors do not play the scene that way, and the distance between them prevents dramatic synapses from connecting. It's an ominous portent of postmodern decadence.
There are unkind cuts, bizarre compositions and moments of painful misdirection--one can count the infelicities like sheep vaulting a stile. The Mousetrap is reduced to its Dumb Show, making nonsense of Gertrude's "The lady doth protest too much." Ophelia loses her second Mad Scene and all her unsettling flowers. Polonius, Gertrude and Claudius speak in a single-file diagonal bisecting the screen, which is perfect for a conga-line but awkward for a conversation. Plummer is so tender, quiet and lucid with Ophelia that her "O what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!" seems crazier than anything Hamlet has said.
The tally increases with a crupperful of bad performances. Alec Clunes' Polonius is so fulsome and cute that one can hardly wait for Hamlet to kill him. Jo Muller plays Ophelia as though she were 13, while Laertes (Dyson Lovell) is a cipher to a great account. Subtextual Gertrude must be brought to the surface; June Tobin leaves her placidly submerged ("drown'd, drown'd"). As Fortinbras, Donald Sutherland looks and sounds like an extraterrestrial. The young Michael Caine is a beautiful creature, but beauty is wasted on Horatio, and Caine is so busy avoiding cockney vowels that he neglects to create a character. The biggest disappointment is Robert Shaw, whose distracted, head-rubbing Claudius seems to be suffering from recurrent migraines. Philip Locke, of blessed memory, brings more camp viciousness to Osric than I have ever seen, but it's too little, too late.
Plummer must salvage the proceedings, and so he does, seizing his plum role and plumbing it to its depths. With him in the lead, at least one thing is healthy in the state of Denmark. Sometimes there is no reason at all to see a Shakespeare production; sometimes there is only one. Hamlet at Elsinore is out of joint, but Christopher Plummer was born to set it right.
Plummer gives us the complete Prince where others have given us parcels. He has looks, presence, breeding, charm, athleticism, wit and consummate grace. He also has a touch of the feminine (which works well for Hamlet), yet is incontestably virile. This is important: one mustn't feel that Hamlet's fitful misogyny springs from congenital attraction to his own sex. There is no doubt that Plummer could have happily married Ophelia in a better world than Denmark. Nor is there any doubt of his capacity for martial exploits if his mind could deem them authentic. "Hamlet does not think too much but too well," and Plummer has the capacity (lacking in Gibson, Branagh and Hawke) to convey a subtle and probing mind. Michael Pennington (1980) was more intellectual, Derek Jacobi quirkier in his line-readings, but neither combined thought and surprise with sexual incandescence as Plummer does. He is a bright particular Star who has been wounded into inwardness, which is merely to say that he is Hamlet.
The movie serves as foil to Plummer: its badness makes his talent stick fiery off indeed. Filmed at Kronberg Castle in Elsinore, it struggles to work new interiors and grounds into every frame. At times, this pays dividends: The Players' first scene takes place in an open-air courtyard, conveying an exhilarating sense of freedom. Alas, most of the locations are derivative, distracting or nugatory. Repeated shots of waves crashing upon rocks look backwards to Olivier's Hamlet (1948) and sideways at Kozintsev's (1964). One stony corridor is much like another. The Nunnery Scene is filmed in the castle's chapel (acceptable) with Hamlet standing above and beyond Ophelia in the pulpit (not). A minister exhorting a sinful parishioner may seem like an apt metaphor, but the actors do not play the scene that way, and the distance between them prevents dramatic synapses from connecting. It's an ominous portent of postmodern decadence.
There are unkind cuts, bizarre compositions and moments of painful misdirection--one can count the infelicities like sheep vaulting a stile. The Mousetrap is reduced to its Dumb Show, making nonsense of Gertrude's "The lady doth protest too much." Ophelia loses her second Mad Scene and all her unsettling flowers. Polonius, Gertrude and Claudius speak in a single-file diagonal bisecting the screen, which is perfect for a conga-line but awkward for a conversation. Plummer is so tender, quiet and lucid with Ophelia that her "O what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!" seems crazier than anything Hamlet has said.
The tally increases with a crupperful of bad performances. Alec Clunes' Polonius is so fulsome and cute that one can hardly wait for Hamlet to kill him. Jo Muller plays Ophelia as though she were 13, while Laertes (Dyson Lovell) is a cipher to a great account. Subtextual Gertrude must be brought to the surface; June Tobin leaves her placidly submerged ("drown'd, drown'd"). As Fortinbras, Donald Sutherland looks and sounds like an extraterrestrial. The young Michael Caine is a beautiful creature, but beauty is wasted on Horatio, and Caine is so busy avoiding cockney vowels that he neglects to create a character. The biggest disappointment is Robert Shaw, whose distracted, head-rubbing Claudius seems to be suffering from recurrent migraines. Philip Locke, of blessed memory, brings more camp viciousness to Osric than I have ever seen, but it's too little, too late.
Plummer must salvage the proceedings, and so he does, seizing his plum role and plumbing it to its depths. With him in the lead, at least one thing is healthy in the state of Denmark. Sometimes there is no reason at all to see a Shakespeare production; sometimes there is only one. Hamlet at Elsinore is out of joint, but Christopher Plummer was born to set it right.
Different and Very Good
skoyles12 December 2003
The contrast with Olivier's version was stunning to viewers: a non-bombastic thoughtful Hamlet with none of the perverse undertones of Olivier's Prince of Denmark. Honest indecision oozed from this Hamlet. Further the text was less butchered than in Olivier's movie; here we at least get to see Rozenkrantz and Guildenstern. [Footnote: I am frequently surprised at people who will rave over Olivier's Hamlet and fail to notice the severely edited script.]
Best Hamlet of our generation
bob9981 January 2013
I prepared for this review by re-watching Olivier's and Branagh's Hamlet films, and was fascinated to find I prefer this TV production from 1964, filmed under what must have been somewhat difficult conditions (the electrical work had to be done by the BBC, as one reviewer notes). I found Christopher Plummer's performance to be more convincing, more felt than those of Olivier and Branagh. Olivier seems to be fascinated with his own athleticism--that trim body that can do anything he demands of it--just see how he leaps off the platform in Act V to stab Claudius. Plummer on the other hand hasn't got the athleticism but he is better able to unite intelligence with feeling. I was more moved by his 'Now might I do it pat' after Claudius starts praying than by the other versions because of Plummer's occasional clumsiness.
The other actors are fine: Alec Clunes really plays Polonius as a prating old fool (just as Hamlet describes him) and Robert Shaw is tremendous as Claudius, virile and crafty and sexy. You see why Gertrude has to fall for him. Michael Caine is ardent in a part that calls for just that quality and little else. He handles the accent fairly well.
Only two actors don't do well: June Tobin is stiff and shallow as Gertrude; her range doesn't allow her to really play the bedroom scene effectively. Donald Sutherland seems to play Fortinbras as a foreigner whose English is shaky.
The other actors are fine: Alec Clunes really plays Polonius as a prating old fool (just as Hamlet describes him) and Robert Shaw is tremendous as Claudius, virile and crafty and sexy. You see why Gertrude has to fall for him. Michael Caine is ardent in a part that calls for just that quality and little else. He handles the accent fairly well.
Only two actors don't do well: June Tobin is stiff and shallow as Gertrude; her range doesn't allow her to really play the bedroom scene effectively. Donald Sutherland seems to play Fortinbras as a foreigner whose English is shaky.
Interesting Viewing
lairdsc-18 February 2012
Just finished watching this film/taping of Hamlet (DVD available from Netflix) and found it to be quite interesting on many levels. Of course, Christopher Plummer is a great Hamlet, but I was not as hot on Michael Caine. Really enjoyed Robert Shaw's Claudius and Jo Maxwell Muller (apparently deceased in 2010) as Ophelia. This version focuses the plot by cutting and editing (such as Laertes' overt challenge to Claudius on his return from Paris), but enough of the play is left for an enjoyable visit. All around the performers handled the verse with great clarity and that is very welcome. I have appeared in four productions of Hamlet, and teach it as part of my curriculum at a community college in Los Angeles and so am very familiar with it.
Hamlet at Elsinore
Prismark1017 November 2023
What a cast. Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland. The latter sports a strange accent.
Caine shows that he could do posh and theatre before he specialised in Cockney wideboys.
Plummer was steeped in Shakespeare in his native Canada. Shaw is strong and crafty. Very much a man who thought he should be king and seizes the crown.
Caine knew he was in good company. This was one television production he was happy to talk about after he became an international film star.
The production was shot in Elsinore in Denmark. Kronborg Castle is the setting of the play. Caine remarked the shooting was often interrupted with the sound of bells and cannons going off at regular intervals.
This was a prestige production for the BBC. Known about for years but only repeated in 2023.
Plummer looks a little old as Prince Hamlet. He was 35 years old at the time. He does get right the mixture of madness and righteous anger. More importantly the text is natural from Plummer's mouth.
Shaw as Claudius is a worthy antagonist. Knowing he needs to pull out all the stops to end Hamlet's life.
It is all put together by director Philip Saville who started out as an actor. He then went on to become a pioneering and legendary director, mainly for television. Some of his best stuff was made in the 1980s such as the gritty Boys from the Blackstuff.
Caine shows that he could do posh and theatre before he specialised in Cockney wideboys.
Plummer was steeped in Shakespeare in his native Canada. Shaw is strong and crafty. Very much a man who thought he should be king and seizes the crown.
Caine knew he was in good company. This was one television production he was happy to talk about after he became an international film star.
The production was shot in Elsinore in Denmark. Kronborg Castle is the setting of the play. Caine remarked the shooting was often interrupted with the sound of bells and cannons going off at regular intervals.
This was a prestige production for the BBC. Known about for years but only repeated in 2023.
Plummer looks a little old as Prince Hamlet. He was 35 years old at the time. He does get right the mixture of madness and righteous anger. More importantly the text is natural from Plummer's mouth.
Shaw as Claudius is a worthy antagonist. Knowing he needs to pull out all the stops to end Hamlet's life.
It is all put together by director Philip Saville who started out as an actor. He then went on to become a pioneering and legendary director, mainly for television. Some of his best stuff was made in the 1980s such as the gritty Boys from the Blackstuff.
Good to see this on the BBC
kniphofia12 November 2023
I've not seen this production until now when it's recently become available on the BBC's IPlayer as part of the celebration of the publication of Shakespeare's First Folio.
Filmed on location at the castle at Elsinor it has a moody atmosphere. No unnecessary changing of the text and the verse speaking is very good, there is none of the shouting and gesticulation that seems very much a part of modern Shakespearean productions. Christopher Plummer is adequate although not particularly notable as Hamlet. Robert Shaw in particular stands out as an excellent Claudius. Definitely not the "mildewed ear" as described in the text he is a strong and sexy king. A valuable record of a worthy production, well worth seeking out.
Filmed on location at the castle at Elsinor it has a moody atmosphere. No unnecessary changing of the text and the verse speaking is very good, there is none of the shouting and gesticulation that seems very much a part of modern Shakespearean productions. Christopher Plummer is adequate although not particularly notable as Hamlet. Robert Shaw in particular stands out as an excellent Claudius. Definitely not the "mildewed ear" as described in the text he is a strong and sexy king. A valuable record of a worthy production, well worth seeking out.
Shot on location at Elsinore, Denmark.
Bernie44442 December 2023
Good production and not overacted. The pacing is just that; any faster or louder and you would have to strain to hear the words. No one is trying to interpret or fill in what they think is missing or (what Shakespeare implied.) You, of course, notice Christopher Plummer, like Hamlet and Robert Shaw as Claudius, King of Denmark, but there are a lot of other great actors of which some will become famous.
This is a 1964 T. V. version so it is a tad blurry and monochrome. However, with today's DVDs and large screen displays, you can see the pores on the face and the glint in the eye as the words we know so well are revealed. I especially love the play within the play. The BBC announced a DVD issue on October 25, 2011. Rhe Run time is 2 hours and 46 minutes. This is the version I have.
Just a quickie synopsis, Hamlet's father, the king of Denmark, is dead and his uncle marries his mother. His father's ghost returns to say his uncle dispatched him on purpose (murder most foul) while Hamlet seeks revenge he also distorts. Many people want to say the prince Hamlet is indecision, yet he outmaneuvers just about everyone and had a depth of vision.
How he acts with friends and relatives to conduct his plans is the play.
This is a 1964 T. V. version so it is a tad blurry and monochrome. However, with today's DVDs and large screen displays, you can see the pores on the face and the glint in the eye as the words we know so well are revealed. I especially love the play within the play. The BBC announced a DVD issue on October 25, 2011. Rhe Run time is 2 hours and 46 minutes. This is the version I have.
Just a quickie synopsis, Hamlet's father, the king of Denmark, is dead and his uncle marries his mother. His father's ghost returns to say his uncle dispatched him on purpose (murder most foul) while Hamlet seeks revenge he also distorts. Many people want to say the prince Hamlet is indecision, yet he outmaneuvers just about everyone and had a depth of vision.
How he acts with friends and relatives to conduct his plans is the play.
If you love Shakespeare, you really should see this.
planktonrules19 January 2024
The idea of "Hamlet" being made for television had me assuming that the production would be made in a studio. However, unlike most other versions of the play, this one was actually filmed at the Danish castle where the real life Hamlet lived. I visited there myself a few years ago...and it's well worth seeing. In addition, the play features some amazing young actors who were all starting to hit their primes.... Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland among others. The acting is good and the story direction quite good as well.
I must make a confession.... I don't actually like Shakespeare. But I saw the film because of the actors in it. And, while I am not in love with the play, for what it is, it's pretty amazing and very well done.
Finally, I must thank my friend Angelo for sending me the link to this film on YouTube. He knows I am trying to see all of Michael Caine's films and is feeding this addiction.
I must make a confession.... I don't actually like Shakespeare. But I saw the film because of the actors in it. And, while I am not in love with the play, for what it is, it's pretty amazing and very well done.
Finally, I must thank my friend Angelo for sending me the link to this film on YouTube. He knows I am trying to see all of Michael Caine's films and is feeding this addiction.
"An Eye For An Eye Makes Everyone Blind!"
adamjohns-4257519 December 2023
Hamlet At Elsinore (TV Movie) (1964) -
I was a little bit confused by the story, because my only reference prior to this version was 'The Simpson's' (1989-) and that was a far more simplified telling than this one, but I had thought that it was Ophelia that went mad, not Hamlet himself.
I felt that it was a shame that the production values of this version were so poor, because the actors deserved a better, clearer picture and sound, most of which should have been available in 1964, especially when considering other films of the era and before.
With regard to the actors, I would never have expected Michael Caine to be able to deliver Shakespeare so well and I apologise to him for thinking that, because he was superb as always in his role of Horatio.
I wasn't sure that Christopher Plummer as the title character Hamlet was that brilliant though. He was a tad corny and I couldn't distinguish his sobs from laughter, which obviously confused some issues. Based on his performance, I also couldn't tell if Hamlet was genuinely suffering with mental health issues or if he was just pretending for the sake of his plans to overthrow his Uncle/Dad. One minute he was cognisant, in control of his faculties and another he was completely away with the fairies in a way that seemed disingenuous.
I did like Robert Shaw as the Uncle/Dad Claudius, King Of Denmark. He reminded me of Charles Dance's performance of Tywin Lannister in 'Game Of Thrones' (2011-9), which was of course a great delivery too.
However, I couldn't really understand the purpose of Rosencrantz (David Calderisi) and Guildenstern (Bill Wallis). They didn't add much to the story in my opinion. Perhaps they just got a bit lost, surrounded by so many huge names and massive performances and it might be that in another interpretation they stand out as something more essential to the plot.
I did feel that Osric (Philip Locke) was incredibly camp for the 1960's, quite obviously representing a member of the LGBTQ community, but Hamlet and Horatio had moments where I felt that there was something to be suggested between them as well. Mr Plummer was definitely a bit luvvy in general anyway.
This film, and as part of that, the story, was hard work at times.
I refer to Google and the IMDB trivia a lot when watching films and I tried desperately to stay off of my phone whilst watching this, because I've been on it so much lately that my wrist is clicking like a vuvuzela, but this interpretation of Hamlet was a bit of a slog to get through, despite those great performances and because of the bad. The terribly grainy filming was probably the largest issue though, because it was so snowy I just didn't enjoy looking at it and my mind probably wandered. I do look forward to seeing other interpretations of this story though to see the Bard's work done a greater justice and hope that the messages come across a lot more clearly.
In its day a stage viewing of this one may have had a profound effect on me as an actor, writer and reader, but I felt that this TV translation lost something.
489.01/1000.
I was a little bit confused by the story, because my only reference prior to this version was 'The Simpson's' (1989-) and that was a far more simplified telling than this one, but I had thought that it was Ophelia that went mad, not Hamlet himself.
I felt that it was a shame that the production values of this version were so poor, because the actors deserved a better, clearer picture and sound, most of which should have been available in 1964, especially when considering other films of the era and before.
With regard to the actors, I would never have expected Michael Caine to be able to deliver Shakespeare so well and I apologise to him for thinking that, because he was superb as always in his role of Horatio.
I wasn't sure that Christopher Plummer as the title character Hamlet was that brilliant though. He was a tad corny and I couldn't distinguish his sobs from laughter, which obviously confused some issues. Based on his performance, I also couldn't tell if Hamlet was genuinely suffering with mental health issues or if he was just pretending for the sake of his plans to overthrow his Uncle/Dad. One minute he was cognisant, in control of his faculties and another he was completely away with the fairies in a way that seemed disingenuous.
I did like Robert Shaw as the Uncle/Dad Claudius, King Of Denmark. He reminded me of Charles Dance's performance of Tywin Lannister in 'Game Of Thrones' (2011-9), which was of course a great delivery too.
However, I couldn't really understand the purpose of Rosencrantz (David Calderisi) and Guildenstern (Bill Wallis). They didn't add much to the story in my opinion. Perhaps they just got a bit lost, surrounded by so many huge names and massive performances and it might be that in another interpretation they stand out as something more essential to the plot.
I did feel that Osric (Philip Locke) was incredibly camp for the 1960's, quite obviously representing a member of the LGBTQ community, but Hamlet and Horatio had moments where I felt that there was something to be suggested between them as well. Mr Plummer was definitely a bit luvvy in general anyway.
This film, and as part of that, the story, was hard work at times.
I refer to Google and the IMDB trivia a lot when watching films and I tried desperately to stay off of my phone whilst watching this, because I've been on it so much lately that my wrist is clicking like a vuvuzela, but this interpretation of Hamlet was a bit of a slog to get through, despite those great performances and because of the bad. The terribly grainy filming was probably the largest issue though, because it was so snowy I just didn't enjoy looking at it and my mind probably wandered. I do look forward to seeing other interpretations of this story though to see the Bard's work done a greater justice and hope that the messages come across a lot more clearly.
In its day a stage viewing of this one may have had a profound effect on me as an actor, writer and reader, but I felt that this TV translation lost something.
489.01/1000.
its beauty
Kirpianuscus9 December 2023
Very easy to define it as a beautiful version . But, if you are real honest with yourself, you admitt be more than beautiful. Indeed, to have as location Elsinore itself is a precious virtue. But this film offers more than that. Christopher Plummer is a splendid Hamlet , offering not only a profound inspired performance but fair and wise and precise exploration of nuances defining a character who seems too...familiar. A mix of grace, vullnerability and wisdom of youth front to injustice, a game mixing some cruelty and some curiosity and the birth of truth as self definition . Few motives to not ignore this Hamlet , far be one of minor ones.
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