Synopsis: David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from Britain’s renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. No recent stage production in Britain has attracted the excitement and nearly unanimous critical praise as this Hamlet. Tennant’s interpretation was recognized as defining the role for a generation, and Stewart’s complex Claudius won the Olivier award, Britain’s highest stage honor. In this specially-shot screen version, filmed on location rather than in the theater, Tennant and Stewart reprise their roles. Dynamic, exciting and contemporary, it breathes new life into Shakespeare’s greatest play.
Featured Actors: David Tennant (Doctor Who), Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Oliver Ford Davis (Waking the Deadi), Penny Downie, Mariah Gale
DVD/Production Highlights:
Ø This title will have additional awareness as it premieres April 28, 2010 on PBS’s Great Performances
Ø Stars David Tennant (Doctor Who) as Hamlet and Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation) as Claudius
Ø Based on the critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare stage production
Ø Critics Praise include: “without a doubt, one of the finest productions of Hamlet I have ever seen, led by an actor of extraordinary courage and charisma.” – Daily Telegraph and “the finest TV production of Shakespeare… intense and frightening as any modern psychological thriller” Daily Mail
Available on DVD: May 4th
Official Site URL: www.bbcamericashop.com
Watching David Tennant and Patrick Stewart recite Shakespeare’s play Hamlet actually gave even more understanding to a production I already know and love. I remember watching another version and in some scenes I had no idea what was going on. I never before understood why Ophelia killed herself. I thought it was because Hamlet rejected her, but no, that was only part of her losing her wits, it was that Hamlet killed her father. How I could miss that, I have no idea. In this version I even wondered about Hamlet’s sanity myself. He seemed quite crazy, even though he was just pretending to be crazy. Seemed to me, losing his father pushed him over the edge too. I loved how they modernized it. Some of the outfits that David Tennant wore were insane. His muscle man shirt just cracked me up. You have to watch this movie to truly get the spirit of Hamlet.
Warner Brothers sent me a copy of this DVD to facilitate this review on behalf of BBC America.
I love Shakespeare, so this is going on my must see list. Thanks!
This sounds like one that’s worth watching – I’ll have to check it out.
Wow sounds cool..thanks for sharing!
Oh this sounds like a great movie! I will definately check it out, thanks for the review!
I have always loved Hamlet, this is just my new favorite.
I’ve got to get my hands on this!