Richard Burton's Hamlet
|
Our Price: $49.50 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $30.75 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Richard Burton's Hamlet
Movie Review: A Hamlet For The Ages!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: The Best That I've Seen
Summary: 5 Stars
Before you invest in this DVD you should read all of the reviews, especially as it is getting harder to find, and more expensive. It has any number of characteristics - I won't say flaws - that may or may not put you off, and they are described in full elsewhere so I won't bother. I will say that this performance gets closer to my ideal of Hamlet then any other I've seen on stage or screen. Both the Olivier and Mel Gibson versions, for all their virtues, are too highly cut - too much of Shakespeare's poetry is sacrificed (even too much of the drama!) for cinematic brevity. Branagh's movie, on the other hand, is too long and in the end becomes something of an endurance test. I suspect (I haven't tested this theory) that in the interest of completeness his version conflates the Folio and Quarto versions of Hamlet, including lines from the Quarto that the Folio leaves out and vice versa. Modern scholars suspect that these two versions are deliberately different - possibly dating from two different periods of Shakespeare's life - and that to mix the two results in muddied motivation and dramatic incoherence. (For much more information on the various versions of this play, I recommend the introduction to the new Arden paperback edition, edited by Thompson and Taylor. They choose to present the Second Quarto intact.) At any rate, this performance with Burton et. al. seems to strike the perfect theatrical balance in regards to length and completeness - Shakespeare's plays were probably rarely performed uncut even in his day - and it communicates effectively what a stunning work of genius this play is. This is my desert island disc of Hamlet. If I get to keep two, my second choice is "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."Movie Review: "To Buy Or Not To Buy ? . . . BUY"
Summary: 5 Stars
"the voice" . . . "the inflection" . . . "the sonorous intonation" . . . "the projection" . . . hallmarks of the late great Richard Burton and never more appropriately performed and delivered than in "Richard Burton's Hamlet".
i was in high-school (in a prep school in Stamford CT) back in 1964 when 'as a class" we attended a novel "movie house" presentation of this broadway performance - some new technology of the time transfered the stage production to film and projection onto the silver screen. and i was so blessed to in that way experience the "presence" of Richard Burton as he "became" Hamlet.
what was also different, the production was performed in casual street clothes . . . no traditional Shakespearean elaborate costuming or stage sets . . . just the actors "in character" creating the magic illusion.
i never thought i'd ever have the opportunity to re-visit and re-live this magic moment of theater . . but here it is: on dvd . . . another miracle of modern technology making the past present once again -- and the ghost of Richard Burtom lives again on stage and once again breathes life into the charter of Hamlet.
it is certainly worth the small cost of this disc to make permanent that fleeting moment . . . and while many great actors have and will tackle the challenge of portraying Hamlet, none will ever surpass the artistry and persona of Richard Burton.
"theater" owes Richard Burton a thank you . . . and "i" say thank you to this magical stage persona. he left us such great memories on film . . and now on this cd disc. "to be or not to be. . ." :)
Movie Review: A Rebuttal
Summary: 5 Stars
I am posting in response to the "self-styled" "expert" on Shakespeare, known by the 'nom de guerre' of A viewer from Atlanta, Ga. I am a tremendous fan first of Mr. Richard Burton and secondly of Mr. Kenneth Brannaugh. We are comparing chalk and cheese. These two actors are very different in many ways. To address your comment that Mr. Burton was "wandering in the dark as far as how to play the role of Hamlet," is concerned, I am utterly astounded that such a observation could be thought let alone voiced. Evidently, Sir John Gielgud had faith in his interpretation, else he would not have been involved. I do not understand also, the reference to Mr. Burton not looking the role. Shakespeare does not describe Hamlet in such detail that can lend validity to this claim. And to compare the production against FILMS of any era, is superfluous and naive to say the least. As this was as has been iterated and re-iterated numerous times, this was a play, I doubt that the filming of it was intended for main stream viewing, if at all. Hence the production values could never stand comparison to any film, certainly not one filmed 30 years later with all the advancements that have taken place. Mr. Richard is the most magnetic and stellar actor in my opinion to "trod the boards," and to watch this production with the intention of comparing with any other, is just down-right unfair and unrealistic. I suggest in future, that you allow yourself to view things for their own worth, and not in comparison with others, especially where the comparison is not appropriate.Movie Review: A postmodern guy!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this version of the play in Electronovision, a copy owned by Gary Essert at UCLA in the 60's. As a young theater director with an inordinate love of Shakespeare, I was bowled over by this pared down, black-rehearsal-dress, few props, no frills (and very little "attitude") interpretation of one of the most complex plays in human literature. This play makes the exquisite agonies of it's very fallible human characters available to modern people: the contemplation of suicide, and the nature of honor, revenge, family responsibility, the existence of God and the Devil, death, friensdhip, romantic and profane love. All are laid out in a very human and personal interpretation of Shakespeare. This version of the play demonstrates the magic of Shakespeare's language, that this poetry can still move us 400-plus years later. And Richard Burton, at the height of his powers, not yet ruined by drink and sexual excesses (woweee!). We see ourselves in this strangely postmodern man: concerned, intellectual, deeply feeling, balancing between cynicism and lyricism. With powers of speech far beyond that of most of us mere mortals, he inhabits the stage so completely and with such force that we anticipate seeing (and hearing) him again. These people really did their homework, and they truly understood what the word "ensemble" means; all complete the picture, support the story and work together to give us a clear idea of what this play can mean in the 21st century. I can still hear his voice now. With "flights of angels" singing him to his rest.