Hamlet [Blu-ray] | ![Hamlet [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517Uy8GX-8L._SL160_.jpg) | Director: Gregory Doran
Actors: David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie, Oliver Ford Davies, Mariah Gale
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $15.66
as of 9/10/2010 15:49 CDT details
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Seller: newtownvideos
Rating:  reviews
Sales Rank: 7680
Format: Color, Widescreen
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: Blu-ray
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Running Time: 180 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.3 x 0.5
MPN: 883929131259
UPC: 883929131259
EAN: 0883929131259
ASIN: B0038RSIGA
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare's masterpiece from Britain's renowned Royal Shakespeare
Amazon.com
It's to director Gregory Doran's incredible credit that his staging of that most familiar of English-language plays, Shakespeare's Hamlet, should be completely reinvigorated by a modern interpretation of the tragedy as a true psychological thriller. This Hamlet, filmed in 2009, presents the inner torment of the Danish prince Hamlet as a believable, relatable controlled explosion of emotions, each more unmanageable than the last. Besides the director, the casting is also brilliant, including the Scottish actor David Tennant (Doctor Who) as Hamlet and Patrick Stewart as Hamlet's uncle Claudius and the ghost of Hamlet's father--who, Hamlet becomes convinced, was killed by Claudius. The direction is brisk, and the acting is first rate. Tennant plays a heartbreaking Hamlet, whose paranoia and weird inner reflections are given a modern spin by the lush, shiny mirrorlike surfaces in the palace, as well as by small but excellent details, like a closed-circuit camera system. And Stewart is menacing but completely collected as Claudius, and unnerving as his brother's ghost. Other strong performances are contributed by Penny Downie as Hamlet's mother, Gertrude; Mariah Gale as Ophelia (who's not quite up to par with the rest of the cast, until she goes mad; then boy does she ever go mad); and Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius. But it's Tennant as the mad prince who is riveting in Hamlet. His "To be or not to be, that is the question" soliloquy--perhaps the best-known speech in English theater--is delivered in a hushed, anguished, all-too-believable manner--occasionally addressing the camera, which is fixed close on Tennant's face. The DVD also includes a must-see documentary on making Hamlet, which includes great interviews with director Doran, cast members and the art directors, set designers and others who give this Hamlet a fresh, polished sheen--while keeping the ages-old tragedy of Shakespeare's words and the explosion of needless death close to the original. The impact is unforgettable; this Hamlet is a terrific achievement. --A.T. Hurley
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| Customer Reviews:
 excellent Hamlet August 23, 2010
AMY L VANDEWATER (Macon, Georgia United States)
A very understandable version of "Hamlet". Modern dress can be a bit startling at first if you're not expecting it, makes the play a bit more accessible however, and it doesn't seem overdone as a "statement" or anything like that. All of the cast do an absolutely awesome job. The Ghost is very vivid and actually a good bit scary, both due to the acting and the excellent camera work. The portrayal of Horatio is the best I've ever seen. He's not flat as in some productions but a recognizable, and sympathetic, character. Stewart is absolutely stunning as Claudius; it's honestly not apparent he is indeed guilty until he actually confesses. He's that smooth. The best way to sum up this production imho is to say that, even if you've seen "Hamlet" before, or read the play, and know how it ends, suspension of disbelief works so well in this production, you're not entirely sure it really is going to end the way you know it must. And, you're certainly *hoping* it won't the entire time.
Words cannot express! August 22, 2010
Crysthala
LOVE IT. Patrick Stewart is brilliant as usual, and David Tennant's performance makes me ache (in a good way). The whole thing is steeped in awesome, and even if you can't pick up Shakespearean English very well, most of the time you can follow it just by the tones the actors use when they read their lines. Because it's Hamlet, it's very emotional--lots of humor, lots of angst, lots of people being completely bonkers, and it's all made even better by the fact that the actors and actresses are taking it seriously, but clearly enjoying themselves. Anyway. In short, brilliant acting, great modern adaptation, and David Tennant can't even be a revenge-crazed lunatic without me wanting to maul him with affection.
Adieu, adieu, remember me...
Even the kids enjoyed August 21, 2010
J. Harrell (Atlanta, GA USA)
We pondered if an 8 and 10 year old could sit through Hamlet, but they are both big fans of Doctor Who and Star Trek, so we thought this might be right place to start. And it worked!, which is quite a task for a three hour movie. By the end they were glued to their seats. Better yet, I completely enjoyed it too. Tennant and Stewart were great.
Hamlet August 19, 2010
the essay queen (santa monica)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having studied Shakespeare my entire adult life, (my Masters Degree is from the Shakespeare Institute in England) I was thrilled that instead of mouthing along the lines of Hamlet, David Tennant breathed new life into this production. He was a revelation as was Patrick Stewart and the rest of the cast. I felt like I was hearing the play for the first time. I have been raving about this performance for weeks and am responsible for other people purchasing it. What a thrill.
A Brilliant Performance All Around August 16, 2010
Cathaign
I recently saw this with a friend of mine, and it blew me away. Having read Hamlet in several classes, including British Literature, and seeing both the Kenneth Branaugh and Mel Gibson movies every time we had a substitute in an English class, I can confidently say that I've seen this play in many ways.
I've read through some of the reviews, mostly out of curiosity, and I saw a recurring theme I thought I'd address- many people did not like the screen adaptation. They thought it was too "play like". I'd like to point out that this was in fact, intentional. It was supposed to be a filming of the actual play, but they couldn't because the original stage set was a giant mirror, and it kept catching the crew in its reflection and bending the light oddly.
That's over and done with now.
I will say that I think Tennant is probably my favorite Hamlet thus far. As a viewer, I could watch his progression of madness and ask if the madness was real or feigned. At times, he could be completely barking mad, and at others, you'd think that it was all a ruse he simply got swept up in for a time.
Even during the closet scene with Gertrude, Hamlet's madness can be questioned- the Guards saw the ghost first.
Tennant brings a raw sort of anger to Hamlet, not just the madness. He's angry with the world, with his mother, with his situation in life, and with himself. He also brings a tenderness to Hamlet concerning Ophelia I didn't get from the two other Hamlets I've seen.
Also, Patrick Stewart was brilliant, as was the rest of the cast.
The fight choreography captured Laertes' and Hamlet's states of mind.
It was simply lovely and riveting.
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