Hamlet (TV 2009)

The RSC puts a modern-spin on Shakespeare's Hamlet, in this filmed for television version of their stage production. The Prince of Denmark seeks vengeance after his father is murdered and his mother marries the murderer.

Director:

Gregory Doran

Writer:

William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Tennant	...	Hamlet
Patrick Stewart	...	Claudius / Ghost
Penny Downie	...	Gertrude
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Polonius
Mariah Gale	...	Ophelia
Edward Bennett	...	Laertes
Peter De Jersey	...	Horatio
Sam Alexander	...	Rosencrantz / Second Gravedigger
Tom Davey	...	Guildenstern
Mark Hadfield	...	Gravedigger
John Woodvine	...	Player King
Ryan Gage	...	Osric / Player Queen
Samuel Dutton	...	Dumbshow King
Jim Hooper	...	Dumbshow Queen / Priest
David Ajala	...	Reynaldo / Dumbshow Poisoner

Storyline

The RSC puts a modern-spin on Shakespeare's Hamlet, in this filmed for television version of their stage production. The Prince of Denmark seeks vengeance after his father is murdered and his mother marries the murderer.

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Plot Keywords:

denmark | shakespeare's hamlet | prince | drowning | uncle nephew relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK Japan USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Wales, Illuminations, NHK Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Bennett understudied the role of Hamlet throughout both the Stratford-upon-Avon and London stage productions. On 8th December 2008 he played Hamlet at a few hours notice when David Tennant had to pull out due to a back injury. He continued in the role, to great acclaim, until Tennant's return on January 3rd 2009.

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Connections

Version of Hamlet (1996)

User Reviews

One of the better Hamlets

No matter how many times I see Hamlet (and I've seen it a LOT), I always seem to be in directorial mode, mostly to the detriment of what I'm watching. This is one of only two Hamlets where I was capable of actually watching the PLAY, rather than the director's mistakes. Tennant's very tense and tightly-wound Prince exhibits a pain and obtusion almost excruciating to watch. The contemporary gloss (LOVED those black interiors, shiny floors, endless reaches of doors and columns and the infinite dark starkness) doesn't feel superficial and does not distract at all from the text, unless you're one of those Renaissance Purists. Patrick Stewart's Claudius was slick, smooth, menacing, and (oddly enough), almost touchingly revealing. This production's Queen Gertrude had that haggard, 'wanna be young' angst seen in so many truly beautiful women once they hit fifty -- and I liked that she seemed to age as the battalions of misfortune kept coming in waves. Most importantly, I liked that the director allowed the TEXT to take center stage, rather than some radical new interpretational agenda. For once, a director that allows the audience to draw their own conclusions.