This was the first time I ever REALLY understood Hamlet, all due to the excellent portrayal of David Tennant. He didn't just memorize the lines and say them, he lived them. Thank you, David Tennant!
I like how he randomly glances at the camera. It's a much more subtle use of breaking the fourth wall than we find in, say, Ian Mcklellan's Richard III. Sorry if I spelled Ian's last name wrong I never remember v.v
@MeesterCrumpet I'm very much aware of what goes on in Hamlet. I wasn't saying Hamlet didn't have a reason to be depressed or anything. I was just saying that his character has a lot more depth than that.
@SesmuKing I can see that as a logical interpretation of the text, as Hamlet is suffering from depression and many scholars interpret him as a sullen character. He has plenty of depth, yes, but the exterior can also be portrayed as lethargic. Out of the movies I've seen this is probably the best representation of the mood Hamlet is in when he gives this soliloquy so I say well done.
@maluse227 youtube begin here "Hamlet - David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie. Act 1, Scene 1" and carry on, mind it takes about three to four hours,
alternatively you can pop on to Amazon and buy it for about a tenner.
People keep comparing Branagh and Tennant, but I don't see how one can compare them at all. Tennant's version is more a speech of inner suffering while Branagh is more menacing. Both are excellent :D
It's a shame that one of the top comments on this video is a friggin' Doctor Who reference. I mean, i love DW as much as the next person, but can't we just enjoy some fantastic acting without having to connect Tennant to the Doctor's character? i mean, it just sucks that even when he's performing Shakespeare, so many people can't get over the fact that one of his roles was also the Doctor.
as a girl and a contemporary artist i am doing this monologe in acting class, my choice. david tenennt you made me fall in love with hamlit. my only hope is that i do you, shakspear, and hamlit himself... justice. as alway u inspire me.
ps. "the undiscoverd planit (of galifray) from doctor whos born no time lord returns" :)
This is such a good rendition... i think a lot of actors are aware of the fact that this speech is one of Shakespeare's most famous, and overact it. David Tennant gives a perfect interpretation.
Wow. Just wow. I've literally watched this 3 times in the past 10 minutes...He does such an amazing job. He kind of makes me want to watch the entire play of Hamlet again. ♥
It seems to me that acting Shakespeare with DT's kind of naturalistic understatement goes against the innate rhetorical and theatrical richness that is two-thirds of the plays' appeal in the first place.
Shakespeare is Big Theatre; there's no getting away from that.
well If you examine, this monologue contains all human expressions..happiness to see the other world, the sadness to leave this life, the hope, the fear, surprise, courage to do something, ..well I cant list every feeling, but it does contain every human aspect...and anyone who wants to start acting should first master this script...:)
Statement... I NEVER understood this speech UNTIL it was Illuminated by DT, the Em-PHA-sis on different syl-LAB-les makes such a difference in what is really felt and important, it is unlike ANY production of Hamlet I have ever seen, and YES I feel DT is the BEST "Hamlet" ever...DT is a true Craftsman of his Trade, he can play anything. ^__^ Squeee! fangirl
@Thraxon My "name" was something I put up when I was 16 and I don't know how to change it. So. You're anxiousness to put down other people makes me glad I don't know you. :/
Great, brilliant. Im puzzled though, ¿what happened with the part after "For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, THE OPPRESSOR'S WRONG, THE PROUD MAN'S CONTUMELY..." etc.?
This performance was excellent - I'm fed up of actors intimidated by this famous speech so they feel as if they need to make it 'exciting'. Tennant perfectly portrayed Hamlets tiredness and weakness - I couldn't find a soliloquy that was less like a classic revenge protagonist if I tried - although this could have been performed better, there's finally an actor on the right track. Thank you.
. . . Ehh. I was underwhelmed. And I think Tennant's extremely talented, but it seemed like a case of not really knowing what to do with the role, as far as I could tell. In my opinion, he went beyond subdued to emotionless, and . . . I don't know. I just wasn't a fan; it lacked that certain spark that worked for me.
Excellent. The best version of this speech I've seen. He took his time, to great effect. I think parts of the Tennant/Stewart version of Hamlet are out to lunch, but not this.
I did the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy in high school, and Hamlet is my favorite play ever. So. Good. <3 I love that his silence says just as much as his words.
@royalyon haha. everything you post just makes me really glad I don't have to know you! so thank you for giving me something to be gratefull for! i won't be responding to anything else you post, by the way.
oh and you're not doing anything for your pretentious appearance by spouting those big words just to use them.
I'm looking for "To Be or Not to Be" videos because I got to do the monologue for class. and i have seen 6 different actors to this and this guy is the best so far!
@royalyon This scene is MEANT to show his fear, and his inability to make a choice. Thus the importance of the first line. I feel that it should be a bit stagnant. It is a very introspective moment. If I was contemplating suicide I doubt I would be leaping around the stage or being at all enthusiastic with my words.
I feel like a lot of actors are great at reading words, but Mr. Tennant has really embraced the emotions and meaning behind the words that Willy Shakes gave us. Kudos, sir, this is truly a great monologue!
He sounds like he understands the speech better than any of the other movie Hamlets. Most renditions, and I include the famous movie actors, just read empty words without understanding them -- I think Tennant comes closes to really understanding the meaning behind them.
@bbham Honest Statement... I NEVER understood this speech UNTIL it was Illuminated by DT. The Em-PHA-sis on different syl-LAB-les makes such a difference in what is really felt and important, it is unlike ANY production of Hamlet I have ever seen, and YES I feel DT is the BEST "Hamlet" ever...
@bbham I totaly agree with youso many actors overact or under act this speech his voice alone is so heart breakingly sad he sounds so honest that you truely feel as if he true is talking of killing himself. His eyes as well his eye are so expresive and sad he truely did a brilliant job
@bbham He did great, but you're not really giving actors credit. This is an extremely straight forward soliloquy as Shakespeare goes - I have no doubts that he understands what he's saying completely, the same as nearly all other actors who played Hamlet would.
It's not like a high school English class reading from the script monotonously, they're professionals. Many different ways to vocalize this speech, just because you prefer this iteration doesn't mean you should belittle the others'.
@RandomNPC15 I think you raise a good point here, different ways to vocalize the speech. I never liked Olivier's performance of Hamlet but it was done in the style popular for Shakespeare of the time, these things come in fashions and cycles, the emotionally raw performance is very contemporary, but may appear overwrought in 40 years.
You know, I remembered Branagh's version of this speech to be far superior - until I watched it again after this version. I changed my mind. I think this version is better than Branagh's or Gibson's now that I've seen them all back to back. This one feels the darkest and most soulful, which is what I personally want from this soliloquy. Tennant's face is so expressive it's easy for him to go over the top, but I think he can play subtle very well when he puts his mind to it. Great performance.
@jupitertronic I just watched all three of them in a row, even putting tennant's last (because I am baised) and his is deffinatly the most expressive. Followed then by Gibson, which was filled with emotion, but i didn't necesarily agree with where the emphasis was put; and I liked the fact that he was in a crypt, but i think he could have worked more with the set.. However Branagh's portrayal of this scene, which is intended to be filled with indicision, showed no sign of one contemplating death
It's funny how your memory can trick you. I remembered Branagh's version of this speech to be far superior - until I watched it again after this version. I changed my mind. I think this version is better than Branagh's or Gibson's now that I've seen them all back to back.
This was both a brilliant performance of the most famous monologue in history and, at the same time, somewhat disappointing coming from an actor like Tennant.
Hamlet SHOULD start the monologue in a rather contemplative, awed, and subdued state, and Tennant catches THAT perfectly, we get that his Hamlet is reallt THINKING about these things, as is the nature of the character. But as we go on, sadly, he keeps that tone...no beat change, by the end it's lost it's luster and meaning, a monotone.
@royalyon Really? It wasn't until this performance that I "got" the meaning of it. Before it was just a piece of poetry to be dissected for a class,or to imitate with a high and mighty accent.
Branagh's film was excellent, great Shakespearean performances and talent. I enjoyed it as a long time admirer of Shakespeare and Hamlet especially. RSC production is not only bringing the bard to the masses, it is bringing a stage production to film, not creating a full blown film as Branagh did. Bravo to Branagh who brought Shakespeare to a new medium, the big budget film and what could be done to create the story. Shakespeare originated on stage. Stage is another valuable experience.
@juanmatrans Branagh's film was excellent with strong Shakespearean performances and talent. Bravo to him for bringing the bard to the new medium of films where more could be visually done. RSC was not only bringing the bard to the masses, they were recreating the stage production. Shakespeare originated on stage, his plays are not meant to be read but played. As a longtime admirer of Shakespeare, Hamlet especially, I see strong merit in both productions. My heart belongs to the theater.
@juanmatrans Branagh used absolutly no emotion whatsoever in his version of the scene. It dosn't feel at all like someone who is thinking of dying (plus i didn't like that he was talking to someone, or that ophelia overheard what he was saying.)
I see lots of people commenting on DT's acting. To that i say indeed, well done. But more than that, for a moment i forgot he was acting, and i saw and heard only the thoughts of someone contemplating suicide. And rightly so. For who indeed would bear the whips and scorns of time, when he himself could make his own peace with a simple knife. Life makes me want to cry sometimes. To be or not to be, yes, that is the question. But the answer is complicated. - DT & Sir PS are brilliant!
In my opinion, this scene was executed exactly as it should be. It should be quite, haunting, and simple. No bold flashy camera moves, or loud noises and movement and such like. I saw a play version a year or two ago, and they completely butchered the speech's twisted beauty with complicated lighting, and the actor shouting and running all over the stage. Obviously it must be altered slightly to be presented on stage but it didn't do the play any justice. This however, is perfect.
This was the first time I ever REALLY understood Hamlet, all due to the excellent portrayal of David Tennant. He didn't just memorize the lines and say them, he lived them. Thank you, David Tennant!
mensatic 2 days ago
Its the 10th Doctor from Doctor who :D
Zakattack577 2 weeks ago
@brago555 It's missing "Th' oppressor's wrong..." all the way to "...under a weary life"
RainStrife92 3 weeks ago
Playing Hamlet at school, this is my inspiration, pure magic.
gunnerboy661 1 month ago
Don't be sad Doctor! Find Donna! You just need someone to talk to!
TooMuchFreeTimeZJHM 1 month ago 2
i think a part of the soliloquy is missing.
brago555 1 month ago 3
I like how he randomly glances at the camera. It's a much more subtle use of breaking the fourth wall than we find in, say, Ian Mcklellan's Richard III. Sorry if I spelled Ian's last name wrong I never remember v.v
lionroar224 1 month ago
BLINK!
cleverphraseology 2 months ago
He doesn't seem very involved with the material. No passion. Just depression.
SesmuKing 2 months ago
@SesmuKing apparently you have no idea what is going on in the entire play. fool.
MeesterCrumpet 2 months ago 3
@MeesterCrumpet I'm very much aware of what goes on in Hamlet. I wasn't saying Hamlet didn't have a reason to be depressed or anything. I was just saying that his character has a lot more depth than that.
SesmuKing 2 months ago
@SesmuKing I can see that as a logical interpretation of the text, as Hamlet is suffering from depression and many scholars interpret him as a sullen character. He has plenty of depth, yes, but the exterior can also be portrayed as lethargic. Out of the movies I've seen this is probably the best representation of the mood Hamlet is in when he gives this soliloquy so I say well done.
lionroar224 1 month ago
Best of this speech..... EVER... Beautifully done.
spaz4always 2 months ago
I can finally understand this!
kupkakeluvr1727 2 months ago
He doesn't blink because he's been practicing with Weeping Angels.
TooSheyz 2 months ago 14
i tried to keep my eyes open as long as him... i failed.
itsmariahx 2 months ago 4
@itsmariahx I won :D But no one can beat me at a staring contest. Not even David Tennant :3 Mwahahaha
lionroar224 1 month ago
It makes me want to cry when I hear that
cellobellasmom 2 months ago
That is really butiful
cellobellasmom 2 months ago
He can go for ages without blinking o.0
prettylittleroslyn 3 months ago 3
does anyone know where i can watch the whole thing at once?
maluse227 3 months ago
@maluse227 youtube begin here "Hamlet - David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie. Act 1, Scene 1" and carry on, mind it takes about three to four hours,
alternatively you can pop on to Amazon and buy it for about a tenner.
emmahouli 3 months ago
was anyone else reminded strongly of the doctor when he was talking about "who would bear the weight"?
pinkjaguar12 3 months ago 4
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People keep comparing Branagh and Tennant, but I don't see how one can compare them at all. Tennant's version is more a speech of inner suffering while Branagh is more menacing. Both are excellent :D
Fralmunk 3 months ago
@adiaz80 Now there are two dislikes: one from Mel Gibson, the other from Kenneth Branagh.
bodysnatcher27 4 months ago 7
Imma have to go with branagh over this one. not as dramatic and intense
jibs2411 4 months ago
@jibs2411 neither are quite as well done taken on their own as Derek Jacobi.
points for this one go to the fact that it works much better in the context of the play.
Major points for Branagh for taking his guard down and Polonius watching unashamably behind the mirror.
emmahouli 3 months ago
David..ILU <3 SUCH ACTING IS TOO EPIC FOR THE WORLD.
CptAxeBackflip 4 months ago 2
1:58 Doctor playing Picard's nephew, talking about another Star Trek movie
koenan1 4 months ago
Brilliant Stuff but not quite Branagh - Branagh's portrayal of this soliloguy is damn near perfection.
Sylar8920 4 months ago 3
Damnit... now I'm torn between Branagh and Tennant.
jg2904 5 months ago
@jg2904 I prefer Branagh. when he gives this speech it's as if it builds up and up. Tennant sounds like he want s to go to bed. :(
DOBBSA87 5 months ago
@DOBBSA87 Yeah, Branagh really knows how to keep the energy up. His Henry V is simply one of the best interpretations of Shakespeare I've ever seen.
jg2904 5 months ago
Oh my god, what a good actor!!! This is why I love David Tennant!
TWLBOAJ 6 months ago
He literally doesn't blink for the last minute and a half of the soliloquy. Maybe there's a weeping angel nearby?
broadwaygeek92 6 months ago 3
I love this speech because it is such a honest view of suicide. David Tennant is really trying to feel the pain and make this realistic. LOVE IT.
shickadoo 8 months ago 4
And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is how to make the Bard proud!!
livelongnprosper92 8 months ago 3
It's a shame that one of the top comments on this video is a friggin' Doctor Who reference. I mean, i love DW as much as the next person, but can't we just enjoy some fantastic acting without having to connect Tennant to the Doctor's character? i mean, it just sucks that even when he's performing Shakespeare, so many people can't get over the fact that one of his roles was also the Doctor.
tokyopanda13 8 months ago 4
To be David, to be!!
(αντικειμενικά είναι ΤΕΛΕΙΟΣ!!!!)
NameNikole 8 months ago 2
Who would bear the whips and scorns of time? Well, a Time Lord for one... you would know.
00Steampunkgirl00 8 months ago 4
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@00Steampunkgirl00 You beat me to the punch!
SirChardminster 8 months ago
as a girl and a contemporary artist i am doing this monologe in acting class, my choice. david tenennt you made me fall in love with hamlit. my only hope is that i do you, shakspear, and hamlit himself... justice. as alway u inspire me.
ps. "the undiscoverd planit (of galifray) from doctor whos born no time lord returns" :)
artdeco6t6 9 months ago
ONE dislike. more proof of how awesome david tennant is.
813soundofthesea 9 months ago 4
Perfect - he speaks with such meaning, he KNOWS what he is saying means. Too many actors just speak this scene, they don't feel it
EdNortonisMineLol 9 months ago 5
He breathes life into the role. It sounds believable and real.
coolmamac 10 months ago
FINALLY. Someone understands what Hamlet is saying in this monologue.
FullmetalShortOne 10 months ago 38
That 1 dislike comes from Mel Gibson.
adiaz80 10 months ago 80
what is this from?
4kej 10 months ago
@4kej ...Hamlet?
byublaine14 10 months ago
@4kej OHHHHH LOL no i mean is it from a film adaptation or what?
4kej 10 months ago
It was a Darlek, who disliked this.
dramaqueen7777777 10 months ago 5
At the end I just shouted that please, please BLINK!!!
sarkanyfogvetemenyb 10 months ago
@sarkanyfogvetemenyb
He once ended up in 1969 because of that... :(
fossfass 10 months ago
I don' t like how he fakes an english accent, even though this is by shakespear :L
weegreg8 10 months ago
@weegreg8 He IS English you moron.
jjk717 10 months ago
@jjk717 hes not english hes scottish and he used to be called david macdonald
weegreg8 10 months ago
@weegreg8 I was wondering why his name didn't sound Scottish. Thank you very much.
Iswhatsheis 9 months ago
@Iswhatsheis yeah there was already a david macdonald in acting so he had to change his name and he was reading a magazine and saw tennant ;)
weegreg8 9 months ago
@jjk717 Isn't he born in Scotland? @@
wincipoet 9 months ago
This is such a good rendition... i think a lot of actors are aware of the fact that this speech is one of Shakespeare's most famous, and overact it. David Tennant gives a perfect interpretation.
99214 10 months ago 4
this gave me shivers. literaly.
goodideaatthreeam 10 months ago 2
Wow. Just wow. I've literally watched this 3 times in the past 10 minutes...He does such an amazing job. He kind of makes me want to watch the entire play of Hamlet again. ♥
catiegarner9 11 months ago
Who would bare the whips and scorns of time? ANSWER: YOU, DOCTOR.
Relmfig 11 months ago 4
It says it....with emotion!!!! :D
pianoac 11 months ago 2
It seems to me that acting Shakespeare with DT's kind of naturalistic understatement goes against the innate rhetorical and theatrical richness that is two-thirds of the plays' appeal in the first place.
Shakespeare is Big Theatre; there's no getting away from that.
rockhammer85 11 months ago
He's monotone. It's theater. Does he know he can move?
babyBmaj 11 months ago
well If you examine, this monologue contains all human expressions..happiness to see the other world, the sadness to leave this life, the hope, the fear, surprise, courage to do something, ..well I cant list every feeling, but it does contain every human aspect...and anyone who wants to start acting should first master this script...:)
WavyMinds 11 months ago 2
Statement... I NEVER understood this speech UNTIL it was Illuminated by DT, the Em-PHA-sis on different syl-LAB-les makes such a difference in what is really felt and important, it is unlike ANY production of Hamlet I have ever seen, and YES I feel DT is the BEST "Hamlet" ever...DT is a true Craftsman of his Trade, he can play anything. ^__^ Squeee! fangirl
jamdeeder 1 year ago
i like kenneth brannaghs version better, not saying this is totally crap or anything.
SR120 1 year ago
My favourite version!!!!
BarmyCoolPants 1 year ago
This is so beautifully done
LoonyLovegoodx 1 year ago 2
Derek Jacobi does this the best.
TRBIBBLES 1 year ago
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this thing needs more views.
livelongnprosper92 1 year ago
he skipped like eight lines...
peaisforpenguin 1 year ago
@peaisforpenguin They have to cut out tons of lines to make the movie not like 5 hours. Plus it could've been from Quarto I which has tons missing
CasualActor 1 year ago
@peaisforpenguin IKR? But, he still did a good interpretation of the soliloquy. :)
sweeeti78 7 months ago
Very good!!
HardRokMiner 1 year ago
Hottest thing ever.
ninaeatpie11 1 year ago
i was just singing the praises of Kevin Clines version but this is definately the best version
aunkajohn 1 year ago
amazing.
katiemariemachine 1 year ago
He doesn't blink.
jasonfu6699 1 year ago 5
Solo una parola: bravo!
Artea71 1 year ago
to be or not be. The answer is GET TO THE TARDIS
ralphy329 1 year ago 167
@ralphy329 "Get thee to thy TARDIS" ;)
amaxamon 9 months ago
@ralphy329 what kind of answer is that?
Masteroftheunive1000 4 months ago
@Masteroftheunive1000 i dont know but GET TO THE TARDIS!!!!
ralphy329 4 months ago
@royalyon You fail.
GirlVash 1 year ago
@Thraxon My "name" was something I put up when I was 16 and I don't know how to change it. So. You're anxiousness to put down other people makes me glad I don't know you. :/
GirlVash 1 year ago
finally an AMAZING actor with brown eyes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woohoooooooo whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer
jitterbugfreerun 1 year ago 2
I generally don't like Shakespeare, but I LOVED this adaptation :)
EdNortonisMineLol 1 year ago
Great, brilliant. Im puzzled though, ¿what happened with the part after "For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, THE OPPRESSOR'S WRONG, THE PROUD MAN'S CONTUMELY..." etc.?
iridiumhexadecimal 1 year ago
This performance was excellent - I'm fed up of actors intimidated by this famous speech so they feel as if they need to make it 'exciting'. Tennant perfectly portrayed Hamlets tiredness and weakness - I couldn't find a soliloquy that was less like a classic revenge protagonist if I tried - although this could have been performed better, there's finally an actor on the right track. Thank you.
wahayyy 1 year ago 8
Davros disliked this.
dlausactor6373 1 year ago 3
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Please come watch my new Ophelia animation. Look on my channel or search the Youtube search box for "The Ophelia Diaries" ~ I hope you like it.
nanogirl 1 year ago
Watch Mr. Kline then watch this great actor: very good instruction on bad vs good Shakespeare.
lebarosky 1 year ago
Whether t'is nobler in the mind to use the Tardis to return 20 years yon to cop a rilly good burrito from yonder location which does not yet exist--"
cosmicdingo 1 year ago 5
Hey where is the rest of the scene...where he talks to Ophelia?
starbucksfrappe93 1 year ago
Playing this as a film role allows him a lot more subtlety in with the speech, which he does brilliantly. He's rather good in the play, too!
FullersDuck 1 year ago 2
. . . Ehh. I was underwhelmed. And I think Tennant's extremely talented, but it seemed like a case of not really knowing what to do with the role, as far as I could tell. In my opinion, he went beyond subdued to emotionless, and . . . I don't know. I just wasn't a fan; it lacked that certain spark that worked for me.
silvertamagachi 1 year ago
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@silvertamagachi
Du kannst mich mal...
FullersDuck 1 year ago
Excellent. The best version of this speech I've seen. He took his time, to great effect. I think parts of the Tennant/Stewart version of Hamlet are out to lunch, but not this.
This is the best, imo.
melc1949 1 year ago
I did the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy in high school, and Hamlet is my favorite play ever. So. Good. <3 I love that his silence says just as much as his words.
FlameMistress08 1 year ago
@royalyon haha. everything you post just makes me really glad I don't have to know you! so thank you for giving me something to be gratefull for! i won't be responding to anything else you post, by the way.
oh and you're not doing anything for your pretentious appearance by spouting those big words just to use them.
GirlVash 1 year ago
Comment removed
GirlVash 1 year ago
@royalyon you know, if you're trying to get a point across, you should really work on your sentance structure
GirlVash 1 year ago
I'm looking for "To Be or Not to Be" videos because I got to do the monologue for class. and i have seen 6 different actors to this and this guy is the best so far!
TheLostFat 1 year ago
@royalyon .... You're more than a bit pretentious aren't you?
GirlVash 1 year ago
@royalyon This scene is MEANT to show his fear, and his inability to make a choice. Thus the importance of the first line. I feel that it should be a bit stagnant. It is a very introspective moment. If I was contemplating suicide I doubt I would be leaping around the stage or being at all enthusiastic with my words.
GirlVash 1 year ago
I feel like a lot of actors are great at reading words, but Mr. Tennant has really embraced the emotions and meaning behind the words that Willy Shakes gave us. Kudos, sir, this is truly a great monologue!
heyitskelseylol 1 year ago
*goosebumps* :]
NobelNighthawk274 1 year ago
This really helped me memorize for English class
kramark2019 1 year ago
great but he left out like 5 lines in the middle some of my favortie ones too.....:(
thewordscantkill 1 year ago
@thewordscantkill they did sort of a mix of the folio and the bad quarto. they expalin it on the dvd.
GirlVash 1 year ago
He sounds like he understands the speech better than any of the other movie Hamlets. Most renditions, and I include the famous movie actors, just read empty words without understanding them -- I think Tennant comes closes to really understanding the meaning behind them.
bbham 1 year ago 120
@bbham Honest Statement... I NEVER understood this speech UNTIL it was Illuminated by DT. The Em-PHA-sis on different syl-LAB-les makes such a difference in what is really felt and important, it is unlike ANY production of Hamlet I have ever seen, and YES I feel DT is the BEST "Hamlet" ever...
jamdeeder 1 year ago 2
@bbham obviously he even under stands the doctor and gets it right
ACEKILLA65 11 months ago
@bbham Watch Branagh's. It's dead on.
Dalittheuntouchable 9 months ago
@bbham I totaly agree with youso many actors overact or under act this speech his voice alone is so heart breakingly sad he sounds so honest that you truely feel as if he true is talking of killing himself. His eyes as well his eye are so expresive and sad he truely did a brilliant job
HealthyObbsession 6 months ago
@bbham He did great, but you're not really giving actors credit. This is an extremely straight forward soliloquy as Shakespeare goes - I have no doubts that he understands what he's saying completely, the same as nearly all other actors who played Hamlet would.
It's not like a high school English class reading from the script monotonously, they're professionals. Many different ways to vocalize this speech, just because you prefer this iteration doesn't mean you should belittle the others'.
RandomNPC15 6 months ago 3
@RandomNPC15 I think you raise a good point here, different ways to vocalize the speech. I never liked Olivier's performance of Hamlet but it was done in the style popular for Shakespeare of the time, these things come in fashions and cycles, the emotionally raw performance is very contemporary, but may appear overwrought in 40 years.
HominidMachinae 5 months ago
@bbham I think Dr Who helped with that...
slightlyinsaneFTW 6 months ago
You know, I remembered Branagh's version of this speech to be far superior - until I watched it again after this version. I changed my mind. I think this version is better than Branagh's or Gibson's now that I've seen them all back to back. This one feels the darkest and most soulful, which is what I personally want from this soliloquy. Tennant's face is so expressive it's easy for him to go over the top, but I think he can play subtle very well when he puts his mind to it. Great performance.
jupitertronic 1 year ago
@jupitertronic I just watched all three of them in a row, even putting tennant's last (because I am baised) and his is deffinatly the most expressive. Followed then by Gibson, which was filled with emotion, but i didn't necesarily agree with where the emphasis was put; and I liked the fact that he was in a crypt, but i think he could have worked more with the set.. However Branagh's portrayal of this scene, which is intended to be filled with indicision, showed no sign of one contemplating death
GirlVash 1 year ago
It's funny how your memory can trick you. I remembered Branagh's version of this speech to be far superior - until I watched it again after this version. I changed my mind. I think this version is better than Branagh's or Gibson's now that I've seen them all back to back.
jupitertronic 1 year ago
I can't watch david tennant without thinking about daleks
Vindog76 1 year ago
Breathtaking performance. By the way have you noticed that he doesn't blink from 1:40 till the end?:)
DivingMole 1 year ago
Oh, I'd happily watch all of those old shows with words way beyond my level of comprehension, as long as David Tennant's in it ^_^
UnfortunatelyMortal 1 year ago
This was both a brilliant performance of the most famous monologue in history and, at the same time, somewhat disappointing coming from an actor like Tennant.
Hamlet SHOULD start the monologue in a rather contemplative, awed, and subdued state, and Tennant catches THAT perfectly, we get that his Hamlet is reallt THINKING about these things, as is the nature of the character. But as we go on, sadly, he keeps that tone...no beat change, by the end it's lost it's luster and meaning, a monotone.
obiwanobiwan13 1 year ago
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so so (no expressians)
kirikiwiable 1 year ago
I got chills
FireIceRagex 1 year ago
Hamlet uses philosophy to disguise his fear. He is a child, immature, frightened, whining. Not virtuous, noble or enlightened.
It would be good to see Hamlet out of pretentious buttocks.
sferemonk 1 year ago
Holy shit. Well done, David, well done. You truly portray the anguish Hamlet feels.
MardiGras135 1 year ago
@royalyon Really? It wasn't until this performance that I "got" the meaning of it. Before it was just a piece of poetry to be dissected for a class,or to imitate with a high and mighty accent.
LucyTook 1 year ago
david tennant + shakespeare = ORGASM
ceheape 1 year ago 6
brilliant
KarlSparks777 1 year ago
oh mournful heart take refuge upon my bosom
bubbly196 1 year ago 3
@bubbly196 *starts a slow clap for that comment*
*clap*
*clap*
GreyLabyrinthine 1 year ago 3
Hamlet has never sounded so good.
ReaperTrinity 1 year ago
Branagh's film was excellent, great Shakespearean performances and talent. I enjoyed it as a long time admirer of Shakespeare and Hamlet especially. RSC production is not only bringing the bard to the masses, it is bringing a stage production to film, not creating a full blown film as Branagh did. Bravo to Branagh who brought Shakespeare to a new medium, the big budget film and what could be done to create the story. Shakespeare originated on stage. Stage is another valuable experience.
milehighlass 1 year ago
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David you are an amazing actor...and fit ;-)
rabiyaofskittlez 1 year ago
avid you are an amazing actor...and fit ;-)
rabiyaofskittlez 1 year ago
Dude, blink already!
happiestpuppet 1 year ago
@happiestpuppet Blink and you're dead.
lizb1t 1 year ago 3
@happiestpuppet Don't blink. Blink and you're dead.
GirlVash 1 year ago
David's acting is great, but Kenneth's version is better. Way better.
juanmatrans 1 year ago
@juanmatrans Branagh's film was excellent with strong Shakespearean performances and talent. Bravo to him for bringing the bard to the new medium of films where more could be visually done. RSC was not only bringing the bard to the masses, they were recreating the stage production. Shakespeare originated on stage, his plays are not meant to be read but played. As a longtime admirer of Shakespeare, Hamlet especially, I see strong merit in both productions. My heart belongs to the theater.
milehighlass 1 year ago
@juanmatrans Branagh used absolutly no emotion whatsoever in his version of the scene. It dosn't feel at all like someone who is thinking of dying (plus i didn't like that he was talking to someone, or that ophelia overheard what he was saying.)
GirlVash 1 year ago
he makes hamlet interesting :] this is wonderful
HotTopicBitches 1 year ago 2
His eyes are incredibly expressive and haunting... its so awesome
morder3 1 year ago 4
I love the pause before he starts,its like hes talking with silence. I really must find this on DVD.
andysim212 1 year ago 2
favorite scene....
ThatsJustBrilliant 1 year ago 3
I see lots of people commenting on DT's acting. To that i say indeed, well done. But more than that, for a moment i forgot he was acting, and i saw and heard only the thoughts of someone contemplating suicide. And rightly so. For who indeed would bear the whips and scorns of time, when he himself could make his own peace with a simple knife. Life makes me want to cry sometimes. To be or not to be, yes, that is the question. But the answer is complicated. - DT & Sir PS are brilliant!
vclxrr 1 year ago 4
he's the best
killerqueen2008 1 year ago
they skipped out a little bit at the end after the ophelia thing, but all in all, well acted
98randomuser 1 year ago
A chunk of this piece wasnt acted but of course that doesnt matter because david is very very amazing.
JantoGirl 1 year ago
if they gave this kind of drama and seriousness to doctor who, rather than the cheap tricks and comedy of donna.
halfbreed1426 1 year ago
I love that he sounds so tired, so when he says "to sleep" it suggests that he hasn't had a lot of it recently.
chuggieforever 1 year ago 2
In my opinion, this scene was executed exactly as it should be. It should be quite, haunting, and simple. No bold flashy camera moves, or loud noises and movement and such like. I saw a play version a year or two ago, and they completely butchered the speech's twisted beauty with complicated lighting, and the actor shouting and running all over the stage. Obviously it must be altered slightly to be presented on stage but it didn't do the play any justice. This however, is perfect.
VamLoveAndKisses 1 year ago 8
@VamLoveAndKisses *quiet
VamLoveAndKisses 1 year ago
@VamLoveAndKisses *quiet
VamLoveAndKisses 1 year ago
Everything, everything, about this, is exquisite.
LittleNerd 1 year ago
I knew he was an exceptional actor, but after watching this, I realize what a phenom he truly is.!!!! Absolutely no one can touch him!!
rcijeg 2 years ago 18
oh god the eyes! the eyes!
toontoosh 2 years ago 10
@toontoosh Tell me about it lol
KatThorne 2 years ago
@KaThorne I know! when I sees it i'm just sinkng in them and even pausing the video so I could stare more....
toontoosh 2 years ago
my god i love shakspear and david tennet
he is sooooo freakin sexy
(david not shakespear) lol
<3
AsMadRabbitsStudioz 2 years ago 7
why the text is not complete?
kindermaus 2 years ago 4
I'm wondering, too! Anyone?
CELERIESS 2 years ago
Hm... This speech says a lot. So does David. *sigh*
Namaechan 2 years ago 3