yeah even though repertory work at the old vic is pretty much generally reffed to by most seasoned actors who experienced it as "their training grounds" I always seem to forget it's not a school.
Oh dear. You guys don't seem to realise Burton grew up on the stage at a time there was no amplification and bad lighting. His 'overacting' was necessary in those days, and ALL did it. Thus it took him time to adjust to film, he admitted it. Today actors can talk in a normal voice, barely heard 10ft away, but heard clearly in all parts of the theatre, and the lighting is so good the smallest movement can be seen. And NONE of the actors can act. For, where is today's Burton?
Burton admitted to being an inferior Shakespearian actor to Larry (who minced in delight at this, pretending to fob it off). But... both admitted this new guy, Eric Porter, made them nervous. Eric just laughed in embarrassment at this. Robert Hardy was of the opinion NOBODY had yet interpreted Shakespeare in a manner the bard would approve of. I'm inclined to agree. I met Brando once, and, like many others, wondered what the hype was about. He was a great guy otherwise, I liked him.
I presume you mean Brando? His acting abilities were limited by his accent, he could never get rid of it. My first comment on meeting him was "ARE you queer?" (gay) I'd love to do that again, today, live on TV. The reaction... He didn't thump me in the end, but merely spluttered. Well, Mutiny on the Bounty - he gave a very good impression of being the arse-bender of all time!!! He had a slurry-whiney voice, that he was unable to modulate, that ruined any acting ability he might have had..
Brando was a natural film actor (unlike Burton), and he had a much better voice than the alcoholic Burton's horrid chain smoker's gravel voice. You did know that Burton admitted experimenting with another man? Probably either Philip Burton or Emlyn Williams.
To take a degree at Oxford in subject he read you MUST also read 2 ancient languages and 2 modern.The fact that he was only there for 6 months was due to Mr. Hitler.Yes, Richard was bisexual, he admitted to it (surrounded by raving queers, as not a few in the theatre were). Mostly as a teen and at Oxford, but not later, "I seemed to grew out of it." As a parting snipe: Brando was also bisexual.Who cares.I didn't and don't.Brando was a marine slated to die on Japans shore's, he deserves respect.
Possibly. I believe he was on an acting scholarship, with Robert Hardy, actually. You often can't read just one subject in British universities. Dudley Moore read for a church organist (he repaired and tuned church organs) but also had to take a composer degree. Where I now live a maths degree means you also read computer science and English. Burton had a photographic memory, glanced rapidly through a book/script and never needed it again, even 20 years later! He knew electronics too, radio ham
FUCK NOOO!! BURTON ROCKS! He was such a goos actor! One of the best in Classic Hollywood! Besides, who cares if he was alcoholic or not?? He was an actor! And a fabulous one! His life was his life! Besides, he was handsome! Look at his charm and sweet blue eyes!
I think the problem with Burton was he couldn't act. I look forward to your uploading a much better version (perhaps starring yourself). Thanks in advance. By the way, we should also note that Gielgud was probably the person in the entire world who least understood Hamlet, since he was responsible for this joke of a performance. Black turtleneck my foot. Not only should you be "glad he killed himself," but we worthy gentleman should not be wasting our comments on something so valueless.
I think it must be hard not to overdo Hamlet, whoever you are. Also, this one is on the stage, and I think it's harder to be subtle on stage than in film - but maybe I'm wrong about this?
Who's Ophelia here? (Kate Winslet is the best of the ones I've seen.)
Richard Burton about 23 years old here; in this key scene from Hamlet. He is civil to Ophelia, glad to see her, until he guesses that she was put up to spurn him, and their meeting is being watched.
absurd, Burton couldn't act, laughable.
mikemosocw 5 months ago
Does anybody else find the actress playing Ophelia annoying and somewhat shrill?
anotherpunkrocker 9 months ago
Burton went to RADA
avidniko 10 months ago
Terrific!
bigboxbobby2 1 year ago
This was a year after O'Toole performed his Hamlet, directed by Olivier. Strangely, no recordings remain of O'Toole as the prince.
chapaev36 1 year ago
Brando in Shakespeare is like watching Keanu Reeves in Shakespeare.
vacant , monotone and painful bumbling to experience.
This stage performance is a poor example of Burton range, who has a powerful explosive temperance and presence in comparison.
and Burton didn't copy Oliver they both went the same schools for theatrical training.
galidorn1 2 years ago
Actually Burton never went to a drama school at all.
FrankClanton 2 years ago
yeah even though repertory work at the old vic is pretty much generally reffed to by most seasoned actors who experienced it as "their training grounds" I always seem to forget it's not a school.
galidorn1 2 years ago
Oh dear. You guys don't seem to realise Burton grew up on the stage at a time there was no amplification and bad lighting. His 'overacting' was necessary in those days, and ALL did it. Thus it took him time to adjust to film, he admitted it. Today actors can talk in a normal voice, barely heard 10ft away, but heard clearly in all parts of the theatre, and the lighting is so good the smallest movement can be seen. And NONE of the actors can act. For, where is today's Burton?
sparra1946 2 years ago 2
Burton never could act at all. Plus, he only copied Olivier. Marlon Brando was a million times better, and never overacted in anything.
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
Burton admitted to being an inferior Shakespearian actor to Larry (who minced in delight at this, pretending to fob it off). But... both admitted this new guy, Eric Porter, made them nervous. Eric just laughed in embarrassment at this. Robert Hardy was of the opinion NOBODY had yet interpreted Shakespeare in a manner the bard would approve of. I'm inclined to agree. I met Brando once, and, like many others, wondered what the hype was about. He was a great guy otherwise, I liked him.
sparra1946 2 years ago
He was certainly far better than the overacting ham Burton.
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
I presume you mean Brando? His acting abilities were limited by his accent, he could never get rid of it. My first comment on meeting him was "ARE you queer?" (gay) I'd love to do that again, today, live on TV. The reaction... He didn't thump me in the end, but merely spluttered. Well, Mutiny on the Bounty - he gave a very good impression of being the arse-bender of all time!!! He had a slurry-whiney voice, that he was unable to modulate, that ruined any acting ability he might have had..
sparra1946 2 years ago
Brando was a natural film actor (unlike Burton), and he had a much better voice than the alcoholic Burton's horrid chain smoker's gravel voice. You did know that Burton admitted experimenting with another man? Probably either Philip Burton or Emlyn Williams.
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
By the way, how was Burton learing four languages if he was only at Oxford for six months?
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
To take a degree at Oxford in subject he read you MUST also read 2 ancient languages and 2 modern.The fact that he was only there for 6 months was due to Mr. Hitler.Yes, Richard was bisexual, he admitted to it (surrounded by raving queers, as not a few in the theatre were). Mostly as a teen and at Oxford, but not later, "I seemed to grew out of it." As a parting snipe: Brando was also bisexual.Who cares.I didn't and don't.Brando was a marine slated to die on Japans shore's, he deserves respect.
sparra1946 2 years ago
Does that course still exist?
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
Possibly. I believe he was on an acting scholarship, with Robert Hardy, actually. You often can't read just one subject in British universities. Dudley Moore read for a church organist (he repaired and tuned church organs) but also had to take a composer degree. Where I now live a maths degree means you also read computer science and English. Burton had a photographic memory, glanced rapidly through a book/script and never needed it again, even 20 years later! He knew electronics too, radio ham
sparra1946 2 years ago
@sparra1946 What a smug comment. How easy it must be to talk trash about brilliant men. Must give you a brief feeling of importance.
chapaev36 1 year ago
FUCK NOOO!! BURTON ROCKS! He was such a goos actor! One of the best in Classic Hollywood! Besides, who cares if he was alcoholic or not?? He was an actor! And a fabulous one! His life was his life! Besides, he was handsome! Look at his charm and sweet blue eyes!
nenelitos 2 years ago
Burton was the King of Hammy, Bad Overacting.
I'm glad he killed himself.
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
I think the problem with Burton was he couldn't act. I look forward to your uploading a much better version (perhaps starring yourself). Thanks in advance. By the way, we should also note that Gielgud was probably the person in the entire world who least understood Hamlet, since he was responsible for this joke of a performance. Black turtleneck my foot. Not only should you be "glad he killed himself," but we worthy gentleman should not be wasting our comments on something so valueless.
BALLSACKFOLLIES 2 years ago
Burton was just a wooden film actor who overacted in everything. The drunken loser crippled his own brother.
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
You haven't a clue. research you bafoon!! he's on a broadway stage. to witness this would be exillerating. MUPPIT
CIARANY30 2 years ago
Burton just copied Olivier and he never did learn to act on film. There are so many better actors.
PeterFirthFan 2 years ago
I think it must be hard not to overdo Hamlet, whoever you are. Also, this one is on the stage, and I think it's harder to be subtle on stage than in film - but maybe I'm wrong about this?
Who's Ophelia here? (Kate Winslet is the best of the ones I've seen.)
fxgar 2 years ago
Burton was 38 here, NOT 23 and this is the most dreadful overaccting ever seen on an American stage,
Ulysses61 2 years ago
I would like to see you do any better than Burton who was one of the greatest actors of his generation.
beauvoir2 2 years ago
man...this is rare...
StevieComedyChannel 2 years ago
you can get it on dvd...for about a fiver.
southparkobsessive 2 years ago
Richard Burton about 23 years old here; in this key scene from Hamlet. He is civil to Ophelia, glad to see her, until he guesses that she was put up to spurn him, and their meeting is being watched.
bookkeeper57 2 years ago
Oooooh my... I've been always curious about Richard Burton as Hamlet, and now I can see him... Thanks a lot for posting! :D
KhomaBrut 2 years ago
Thrilling! It's a treasure! Where did you find it?
mom63423 3 years ago
It seems that it comes from the Richard Burton's Hamlet DVD...
KhomaBrut 2 years ago
If this is the 1964 production, I think it's Linda Marsh.
Claudius = Alfred Drake
Gertrude - Eileen Herlie (Myrtle on All My Children; she also played Gertrude in the Olivier version)
Laertes = John Cullum (Holling on Northern Exposure)
Polonious = Hume Cronyn
tessiree 3 years ago
Who is the actress playing Ophelia?
ristol 3 years ago
It is sublime. No other comment will suffice.
rmorte62 3 years ago