Hamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the Prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.
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Title: Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (TV Movie 1980)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Derek Jacobi | ... | Hamlet | |
| Claire Bloom | ... | Gertrude | |
| Patrick Stewart | ... | Claudius | |
| Eric Porter | ... | Polonius | |
| Lalla Ward | ... | Ophelia | |
| David Robb | ... | Laertes | |
| Patrick Allen | ... | Ghost of Hamlet's Father | |
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Robert Swann | ... | Horatio |
| Jonathan Hyde | ... | Rosencrantz | |
| Geoffrey Bateman | ... | Guildenstern | |
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Emrys James | ... | First Player (King) |
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Jason Kemp | ... | Second Player (Queen) |
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Geoffrey Beevers | ... | Third Player (Lucianus) |
| Bill Homewood | ... | Player in the mime, King | |
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Peter Richard | ... | Player in the mime, Queen (as Peter Richards) |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Hamlet comes home from university to find his uncle married to his mother, and his father's ghost haunting the battlements and scaring the watch. Then his father's ghost directs him to seek revenge. Written by Kathy Li
Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Sir Derek Jacobi, who plays Hamlet, was Claudius in Sir Kenneth Branagh's version of Hamlet (1996). See more »Goofs
When the grave diggers have dug the grave, they lay planks upon the hole and upon those planks spread straps. Upon these planks and straps Ophelia's body is laid. However, when the burial proceeds and her body is put into the grave, the planks have strangely disappeared and Ophelia's dead body is lowered into the earth. See more »Alternate Versions
The version shown on PBS omitted the scene in which Hamlet "baits" Polonius ("Do you know me, my lord?" "Excellent well. You are a fishmonger", etc.). It cut straight from Polonius and Claudius considering how to prove that Hamlet is mad to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's greeting Hamlet at the castle. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
10 November 1980 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Hamlet, Prince of Denmark See more »Company Credits
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Derek Jacobi's idea of Hamlet is a dreamer, a plotter, a voyeur in the corrupt court of Denmark, and it is an interesting variation on other versions. The downside is the traditional costume so he's in tights, not the best idea, but these things can be ignored. Gertrude is the great Claire Bloom, who is excellent in this, while Patrick Stewart is a nasty-minded letch as Claudius. Lalla Ward from Dr Who is an ok Ophelia but not wonderful.
Aside from Jacobi there are two other great acting performances in this - Eric Porter is a busy Polonius, and Patrick Allen is a suitably sinister Ghost. The BBC staging is sparse, which suits this play very well and brings scenes such as Claudius praying, and Hamlet's scene with his mother, more intimate and effective.