Hamlet in Film
Overview
As this play informs us, the play's the thing -- and in a play so much about plays, playacting, appearance, reality, illusion, and disguise, it is imperative, when possible, to see it in performance. The marvelous thing about Hamlet, though, is that each production, from the most professionally-executed performance by true masters of Shakespearean craft to the beginning work of thespians starting on their journey, is that it has the capacity to bring out the best in actors. No two are alike. In that spirit, it is worth comparing and contrasting many different versions of this play to examine the nuances and -- well, the play -- that each production brings to the stage.
NOTE: This page is intended for teachers. Not all districts will have the same policies about in-class viewing of film clips. ALL film clips, even if not noted specifically as having potentially objectionable content, should be carefully screened before showing them to a class.
As this play informs us, the play's the thing -- and in a play so much about plays, playacting, appearance, reality, illusion, and disguise, it is imperative, when possible, to see it in performance. The marvelous thing about Hamlet, though, is that each production, from the most professionally-executed performance by true masters of Shakespearean craft to the beginning work of thespians starting on their journey, is that it has the capacity to bring out the best in actors. No two are alike. In that spirit, it is worth comparing and contrasting many different versions of this play to examine the nuances and -- well, the play -- that each production brings to the stage.
NOTE: This page is intended for teachers. Not all districts will have the same policies about in-class viewing of film clips. ALL film clips, even if not noted specifically as having potentially objectionable content, should be carefully screened before showing them to a class.
Act I.i
Opening Scene |
Selections
Questions
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Act I.ii
Meet Hamlet |
Selections
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Act I.v
The Ghost Tells His Story |
Selections
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Act II.i
"Words, Words, Words": Hamlet Plays Mad for Polonius Act II.ii
The Player King |
Selections
Selections
Questions
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Act III.i
"To Be or Not to Be" |
Selections
Questions
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Act III.iv
Bedchamber Scene |
Selections
Questions
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Act IV.v
Ophelia's Mad Scene |
Selections
Questions
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Act V.i
"Alas, poor Yorick" Act V.ii
The Final Countdown |
Selections
Selections
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Questions: The Poisoned Cup
In the Gibson version, unlike the Olivier, Glenn Close's Gertrude seems utterly unaware of the poison in the cup. In the Olivier version, Eileen Herlie, who played Gertrude, pointedly looks at the cup in Polonius' hand before drinking it, the implication being that she knew or suspected it was poisoned.
One difficult choice for an actor playing Claudius is the line, "Gertrude, do not drink."
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