For many years I have tried to find a copy of this film. Having been familiar with the audio recording made with the Broadway cast I always wanted to see them in action. Along comes DVD and my prayers are answered. This stage version of "Hamlet' directed by the legendary Sir John Gielgud is well worth the wait. He sets the play as if we were watching a final run through before costumes and final props are added which really brings the play's themes to the front and center. Richard Burton manages well as Hamlet,however there are times (as this is a live performace that he does not quite seem "in the moment". his vocal inflections and movements ar all technically perfect,but what seems to be lacking is what is strong in the rest of the production...soul. The finest performance in the production is Hume Cronyn as Polonius.he fleshes out a role that could easily be played as(and has been) a stock character. Cronyn's Polonius is a shrewd politician whose age sometimes gets in the way of his reasoning. Also sharpe is Alfred Drake as Claudius. A fine stage actor,This is a rare opportunity to see him in his full glory. Other fine performances are turned in by George Rose as The Grave Digger, Eileen Herlie as Gertrude and a young John Cullum as a passionate Laertes. on the down side is Linda Marsh's Ophelia.Although she seems in character she does not have a strong command of the language. The sets and rehearsal clothes costumes add to the feel of the piece.
Overall this is a piece of theatre history to be cherished.
Overall this is a piece of theatre history to be cherished.