Three Days

It is a critical commonplace that Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play that brings to the fore a self-created reality that, through the leading character's changing monologue, becomes the core of evolving consciousness. In this respect, the documentary Three Days of Hamlet, directed by Alex Hyde-White, while displaying Hamlet's inner passions and fears, focuses on family bonds, human feelings, as well as the long-standing dichotomies Nature/Nurture and Nature/Culture where patriarchal values were of utmost importance. In my opinion, this film takes spectators on a journey that shows a different reality that merges with fiction and makes us watch the images 'beyond the canvas': a subtext whose meaning should be unveiled, while letting viewers question not only the psychological issues that the characters display, but also the 'ghosts' of the past that sometimes haunt people's lives. The amazing cast includes Stephanie Powers, Richard Chamberlain, Peter Woodward and Alex Hyde-White, who also plays the role of the actor/manager confronting his father's ghost. They all offer amazing performances that, together with the great editing and brilliant soundtrack, lead us to a delightful , yet thought-provoking world where art is always valued and never forgotten. For this reason, Three Days of Hamlet is a very moving documentary that - due to its invaluable contribution to understanding Shakespeare's Hamlet - should be also considered for academic purposes as it could be enjoyed by many scholars and students alike.

"Three Days of Hamlet" was a wonderful interpretation of Shakespeare's Hamlet done in only three days. Two of those three days were in rehearsal with a cast of well known and not as well known actors that had never worked together. So with this cast of virtually strangers the play was presented before an audience on the third day. Alex Hyde-White not only directed but was Hamlet in the production. This Hamlet based fantasy documentary that showed the relationship between fathers and sons,mothers and uncles and nature and nurture.Alex drew on the relationship he had, while growing up,with his own father. Wilfred Hyde-White was in his 50's when Alex was born. I enjoyed this production of Hamlet very much. Hamlet is one of Shakespears more difficult plays to understand but with this documentary it made it a little bit clearer. It brought to light that Shakespeares works are universal not just for the British.Everyone at sometime in their life will read Shakespeare. This DVD would be an excellent tool in schools for helping in literature and theater as a way of getting to understand Shakespears meanings. I believe anyone who has read or acted in Hamlet would enjoy this presentation.

This film was a delightful piece with many layers and meanings, both the Hamlet story that we know and the personal stories of the cast and crew.

The editing was skillful and added the the many story levels and the actors (Alex Hyde-White (also the director and writer) Stefanie Powers and Richard Chamberlain to name a few) were superb and the behind the scenes footage was surprisingly thoughtful, funny and at times moving.

The traditional story of Hamlet abbreviated somewhat and was done in the style of a 'reading' after only 3 days of preparation. It was an extraordinary vision and accomplishment for the film's writer/director, Alex Hyde-White.

A film well worth watching.

Pacino's "Looking for Richard" documentary was an amazing film and an inspiration to try Shakespeare for me so I was very interested to see another documentary/film about putting on Shakespeare. While not the deep exploration of the Bard that Pacino's film was Three Days of Hamlet brought a surprising personal touch that turned into a touching reflection on family and show biz.

In my experience the film had a gradual start that didn't quite capture the crazy pressure of putting up Hamlet in three days however it builds nicely and you really connect with the experience as the days progress. The parallels of Hamlet haunted by the ghost of his father and the actor performing the role living in the shadow of his was particular powerful.

As an actor I was particularly interested in the performances challenges of such a large undertaking with so little preparation. Some performances come together more than others, Iva Hasperger the "over achiever" who memorizes all her lines really connects with the material and goes all in. Alex Hyde-White's passion as the creator of the project really shows in his acting. Despite being burdened with a huge amount of text and having to work off the page, his smooth naturalism punctuated by spontaneous outbursts of energy is very engaging.

The film concludes with very honest and heart warming moments. I don't like a lot of documentaries but this one was very enjoyable.

A production that is part theatre part film and part documentary seems an unlikely project but Alex Hyde-White's Three Days (of Hamlet) has turned out to be inspired. A group of actors coming together to put on a production of Hamlet in three days escaped complete chaos by, what we call in Britain, "Blitz spirit" and sheer talent. Although most of the cast were reading their lines credit must be given to Iva Hasberger who,as Ophelia, had learned her part and was therefore able to perform her descent into madness with abandon! I found myself completely immersed in the characters and Alex's retrospective account of his relationship with his father and also relationship with his own sons. His father's comment that great talent usually skipped a generation and Alex's response that as he has two sons of his own, he hopes it does, I found incredibly moving. But he need not worry, his portrayal of Hamlet was beautiful, so gentle and had me enthralled. Talent didn't skip a generation!! I now feel the need to read the play myself, something I haven't done since seeing Richard Chamberlain play the part 45 years ago at the Birmingham Rep.