Storyline

Shakespeare's 17th century masterpiece about the "Melancholy Dane" was given one of its best screen treatments by Soviet director Grigori Kozintsev. Kozintsev's Elsinore was a real castle in Estonia, utilized metaphorically as the "stone prison" of the mind wherein Hamlet must confine himself in order to avenge his father's death. Hamlet himself is portrayed (by Innokenti Smoktunovsky) as the sole sensitive intellectual in a world made up of debauchers and revellers. Several of Kozintsev directorial choices seem deliberately calculated to inflame the purists: Hamlet's delivers his "To be or not to be" soliloquy with his back to the camera, allowing the audience to fill in its own interpretations.

Trailers

Details

DirectorGrigori Kozintsev

ReleasedJun 24, 1964

StatusReleased

Original languageRussian

Budget

Not disclosed

Revenue

Not disclosed

Parental guideNot rated

Studio

Lenfilm

Reviews

8 reviews · 6 critics · 1 fan

7 fresh · 0 rotten

MaryAnn Johanson

RTFlick FilosopherNov 15, 2019

It's all far more wonderfully dynamic than I was ever expecting it could be, both capturing the feel of the stage production while taking advantage of the possibilities of television.

Christel Loar

RTPopMattersNov 15, 2019

The principal performances are nothing short of phenomenal and the entire company should be praised for a momentous accomplishment in bringing it from stage to screen.

Adam Sweeting

RTThe Arts DeskNov 14, 2019

[David] Tennant looked like a full-scale actor instead of a novelty turn, capable of raising his game substantially enough to keep abreast of a superb cast.

S. Jhoanna Robledo

RTCommon Sense MediaJun 21, 2011

[David] Tennant is especially fun to watch as he mugs for the camera and alarms other characters while seemingly in the throes of madness. His goofy faces are tinged with despair, revealing the depths of Hamlet's misery.