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.

Fascinating and adeptly handled. Alex is very engaging as are the other cast members. It is quite a fascinating project to observe. Highly recommend.The editing is of particular interest and the historical flashes of father and son and Alrx with his own sons makes it all the more interesting. Done with a very gentle and respectful hand. While I would have substituted Chamberlain for Claudius and the actor in that for I do hope Mr. Hyde-White will continue to apply his rather intelligent and ...nuanced touch again and again. I remember seeing him play Romeo in which he was amazingly on target scene after scene. His sense of the texts in both renditions is quite natural and brings out a unique side of the characters in both roles that is fresh and touching. One can only hope that this is not his farewell to cinematic offerings as he has so much indeed to offer, based on these pieces.

The Days of Hamlet has an intriguing blend of the already impressive story about a rushed stage production with the juxtaposition of a personal back story of actor and his father with well-crafted technical excellence. The inclusion of well-established actors raised the interest in the stage production storyline. What separated this film from traditional documentaries is Hyde-White's inner journey on parental relations and his self-discovery. The intertwining of the two stories were provided in engaging and solid pace, accomplished by exceptional editing and smooth nice transitions. The technical excellence found in the cinematography of the stage sequences was amazing. Even if you are not a fan of the theater, this is a film worth viewing for the personal story alone. This film was a finalist in the 2012 Naperville Film Festival.

What starts out as a story about a father and his sons becomes a treatise on life, death and all in between. Using "Hamlet" the play as a starting point, which is unveiled during intense rehearsals and one performance over a three day period, we enjoy the stories of the actors behind the scenes (including Richard Chamberlain, Stefanie Powers, the remarkable Iva Hasperger, Peter Woodward and Joseph Culp) and watch them "hold the mirror up to nature." Human nature is the stuff of great drama, never moreso in this unexpected independent movie. A wonderful sense of discovery is in store for the viewer, particularly in the funny on-camera commentary of method actor (and teacher) Tom Badal, who plays Claudius in the play. The troupe come together, much in the same way that "troupes" always have, under actor/manager Alex Hyde-White, whose unique vision enabled this story to be told. Obviously benefiting from terrificly diligent editing (Sharon Rutter, Edo Brizio are credited), this film is highly recommended. Documentary filmmaker Louis Yansen is credited as a producer. Strong recommend, look out for "Three Days (of Hamlet)" at festivals. You will be in for a treat. It makes Shakespeare easy to understand.