Hamlet

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.

Utterly brilliant - I saw this film 17 times in the cinema when it first came out in 1964 - and I was all of 18. I'd never read Hamlet, never heard of Shostakovitch, couldn't speak a word of Russian - and yet this film changed my life! Now it's finally arrived on DVD in all its original splendour, complete with Shostakovitch's sensational score in stereo... The editing of Shakespeare's original by Pasternak is masterly, the direction faultless - but it's Innokenty Smoktunovsky's interpretation of Hamelt that lingers a lifetime in the mind. I've seen every other film adaptation of Hamlet, and none of them come anywhere close to this incredible cinematic masterpiece, which remains my #1 film of all time!

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.

Cinematographically, this looks fantastic. That might be the most immediately striking thing about this grand Soviet adaptation of Shakespeare's play. The wide sweeping shots the castle, this cliffs, and and the story sea at this Estonian Elsinore as they are swarmed by medieval courtesans and armies is incredibly impressive. The scenes with the ghost of Old Hamlet may be some of the most simultaneously grand and spooky I have seen.

Though in some senses (such as costuming) a traditional Hamlet, this film, perhaps somewhat by virtue of being an adaptation in translation, has a outsider viewpoint that allows to to take liberties with sequence and setting while maintain a feeling of fealty. And this lends itself to the broad-scoped cinematic feel. We first see Hamlet upon his return to Denamrk, we follow him on the ship and on the way back. What changes there are only help suit the material to them medium of film.

Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy is a very good Hamlet and worth of the role. His baseline is quiet and solemn glumness (even for a Hamlet), which makes it the more impressive and disturbing when in his passion or "madness" he is furious or energetic and glib. He is complimented by a great Claudius and a fascinating performance by Anastasiya Vertinskaya as Ophelia, who makes scenes almost difficult to watch with how earnestly she plays having been driven mad.

The film is blessed to have music by the great composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who demonstrates a subtle and masterful hand with film scoring by writing music that doe snot intrude on the film but greatly enhances that mood and really seems to fit the windswept crags of the setting. The translation is by Boris Pasternak, who from while I can incompletely understand seems to eschew completely literalness for a more terse poetry of his own -- a debatable choice but perhaps best for the purposes of film.

In all certainly a huge achievement that can stand among the best of the many screen versions of Hamlet.

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.