Hamlet

Hamlet (1964) (original title Gamlet) is a Russian adaptation of Shakespeare's play, directed by Grigori Kozintsev. The film stars Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy as Hamlet, and Anastasiya Vertinskaya as Ophelia.

I saw this movie as part of a Shakespeare in Film honors seminar that I'm auditing. It surprised me that I enjoyed this version of Hamlet so much. After all, it was filmed 50 years ago, in black and white, mainly in Estonia, during a period when the Soviet government was monitoring every frame of every movie for possible deviation from the politically acceptable.

Nonetheless, the movie worked for me. Elsinore Castle--artificially constructed, as I learned from IMDb--looked very realistic. Also, the castle had life in and around it. When you think about it, most film Hamlets are shot almost in a vacuum. You don't get any sense that anyone lives in or works in the castle. This Hamlet is the exception-- extras are everywhere, working hard and keeping the castle functioning.

The acting is generally excellent. I was particularly impressed by Anastasiya Vertinskaya (Ophelia). She went on to become a noted Russian film star. This role was a turning point in her career. She's extraordinarily talented. She acts--and appears--like someone who belongs in the setting. She doesn't have the buffed, "I am a star" attitude of many women who play Ophelia.

Prince Hamlet tells us that, to him, Elsinore is like a prison. Kozintsev emphasizes this aspect of the castle. In the beginning of the film, the portcullis closes ominously. Even if you don't know the plot of Hamlet, you know that trouble is ahead after you've seen the first few frames.

Some of he students felt that seeing Shakespeare in translation just doesn't make sense. After all, Shakespeare is the greatest master of the English language. Boris Pasternak apparently translated Shakespeare's language into Russian, but that doesn't help us. I would have thought that the subtitles who have reverted to Shakespeare's English, but they don't. Unless you speak Russian, you have no idea of what the Russian audience is hearing.

Does that mean that all that's left (for us) is the plot? Some of the students thought so, but I disagree. There's a third element besides language and plot--character. Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, and Ophelia all have a distinct character, set down by Shakespeare for us to understand and interpret. I think that in this movie, even though we lose language, Kozintsev allows us to see character. So, even without Shakespeare's language, this film has much to offer us. (Music by Dmitri Shostakovich is an added bonus.)

I saw the movie on the small screen, where it worked pretty well. It would work better in a theater. If it's not playing in revival, watch it on DVD. It's definitely worth seeing, and I highly recommend it.

I have first seen Kozintsev's Hamlet back in 1963 and saw it again yesterday, as part of my job as music critic in a São Paulo newspaper, for the commemoration of Shostakovich's centennial -- he is the author of the soundtrack. The film has not aged, it is still one of the most beautiful adaptations of Shakespeare tragedy, Smoktunovsky's acting is thrilling and Shostakovich's soundtrack is marvelous. His irony reveals itself in the way he accompanies the scene at the graveyard: Hamlet's bittersweet dialog with the gravedigger (what an actor!) and his sad monologue about frailty having in his hand's Yorick's skull. A great film!

I have to marvel at the production values in this wonderful film. Exquisite sets, lighting and costumes. Stunning location. Epic original music score by Dmitri Shostokovitsch -- the music alone is more than enough to recommend this film. Great acting by, among others, Innokenti Smoktunovsky as Hamlet. Every scene an artistically complete poem of light and sound. Oh, and if you wonder what it's like to hear Shakespeare in Russian . . . it's great! The translation is by Boris Pasternak, one of the finest poets in any language. An epic treatment of the epic story.

This 1964 'Hamlet' was quite a unique experience and unlike any other adaptation of the play seen. This is meant in a very good way. 'Hamlet' is one of Shakespeare's finest and one of his most quoted and parodied in popular culture, it is also one of his most adapted with mostly impressive results (amazing considering that it is one of Shakespeare's most difficult with the characters being so psychologically complex). Also love the Russian language, which is a major reason as to why this version stands out from the rest.

After watching, for me this film replaces the wonderful Laurence Olivier film (though that is to judged as an incredible piece of film-making and a standalone, not for those that want 100 percent fidelity) as the finest screen adaptation of 'Hamlet'. One of my favourite versions overall. Not only will it be of great interest value for fans of the play and Shakespeare, as well as those intrigued by Russian film, but it is exceptional film-making in its own right. Have loved Russian film for a long time, for me this 'Hamlet' is up there with the finest Russian films ever made and that is quite a compliment to give.

Visually, this 'Hamlet' is a work of art and the best looking version of the play to exist (yes even more so than Olivier's). Easily among the best looking Shakespeare film adaptations, with sets that are both sumptuous and brooding, very atmospheric lighting, costumes that are evocative and not cheap and cinematography that is achingly beautiful and bold. Have always appreciated Shostakovich's music, his haunting, intensely dramatic and emotionally rich music here made me appreciate him all the more.

Grigory Kozintsev's direction is nothing short of exemplary and shows a master at work, although justifiably lauded (and as well as his 'Hamlet', his 'King Lear', one of the best versions of that play too, and 'Don Quixote' are deservedly highly regarded) he deserves to be wider known worldwide and his films made more accessible. The script is poetry in words, thoughtful and emotionally complex.

The story is always absorbing and highly atmospheric, with plenty of high drama, intimacy and poignancy. Everything is done in good taste, no questionable, irrelevant or gratuitous touches, and it is one of the few adaptations to nail the psychology of the characters and their complexities (Orphelia can be potentially passive, she isn't here), the play within a play elements and also putting strong emphasis on the politics without being heavy-handed or rambling. All the performances make their mark, with one of the most powerful screen Hamlets in Innokenti Smoktunovsky. As well as a touching Anastasia Vertinskaya and sinister yet noble Mikhail Nazvanov.

Summing up, brilliant and a must for Shakespeare fans and if you want to see something different but in a way that is unique and done in good taste. 10/10.

I share the previous reviewer's high estimation of this wonderful film. It is a highly political and imaginative interpretation of Hamlet, making Hamlet a man of action who is nevertheless alienated at court. The opening sequence is a stunning interpretation of Hamlet's view that the time is out of joint--Hamlet rushes back to court on horseback even as the flags of mourning are being unfurled. Claudius's speech is delivered by a herald and then translated by ambassadors. When we get to Claudius giving the rest of it to his court, it's not clear how much time, if any, has passed. nor is it clear who is in command (who is giving the orders that the flags be unfurled, cannons fired, the proclamation read, and so on). When Claudius finally addresses Hamlet aft the camera tracks him moving right down the table of courtiers, Hamlet's chair is empty. the opening sequence also moves from open external spaces ( a shot of the sea, a long shot of the land, and moves to increasingly shut in , interior spaces (the castle gates drop as the music gets ominous) to suggest that Denmark is indeed a prison. Visually and musically the film is very rich. I would rank this as the best of the filmed Hamlets.