To be, or not to be--that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep-- No more--and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep-- To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come....
Dear, oh, dear! I am astonished! Burton was of his time. He broke the rules...Before him? Guilgud and Olivier broke the rules...before them Herbert Beerbhom Tree broke the rules, before that Edmund Kean broke the rules, before that David Garrick broke the rules...etc etc...Burton's 'Angry Young Man' approach was astonishing in it's time...His risk with "beats' and 'Inner Landscape' astonishing. His valiant defence of the English Theatre without comparison (Tynan/Burton).
Slightly unrelated but a great holiday gift from YouTube: RichardElden - aka juanmacready/peterfirthsboyfriend - has had his account shut down. I'm sure he'll be back in 2012 with a new screen name and the same bizarre cut-and-past comments. Still, I wanted to share this offbeat news with all you intelligent clear-headed people.
Hello everybody, I have produced a student film version of this speech and any feedback anybody thdy can offer would be most appreciated. Its on my channel.
RB made many insulting remarks while drunk. Things that were often hurtful. I would imagine that he could very well have made racist remarks while under the influence, but a racist man does not have a love affair with a black woman, Jeannie Bell, I THINK her name was, and place her son in an exclusive school while she was living with him in his home. JS
I don't know if this is a good Hamlet or not, but I love Richard Burton. My fav performance of his is in Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe? Just love him.
@RichardElden what an incredibly bitter person you are did he turn your tiny penis down dreary deary, oh you poor wee thing,I know we are ALL hoping to see YOUR performance of Hamlet in the near future or is that an impossibility, Now hows that cancer /aids going has it killed you yet, I hear they are offering a special on Cheap vodka down at Tesco better put on your high heels get ioff your high horse and mince on down there.
@RichardElden...well dreary deary didnt they (all the actORs you mentioned) try and seduce you, oh nothing like a spurned queen correct. You seem to be protesting rather strenuously here or is it the Green Manalishi with the 2 pronged crown rearing its ugly head. And I am sorry but WE dont all, agree with your ill informed surmation of Burtons performances.
@TheJason3434 Obviously This jason person is a respected drama critic who witnessed many performances by the Great Burton,and of course most critics are in general terms frustrated performers. Burtion left a mark on the world of theatre ,and at the same time loved his Rugby and if he was bi-sexual so friggin what? he obviously serviced many fine ladies such as Clare Bloom, Liz taylor,and many many others his life was fascinating stretching from the welsh coal mines to the theatres of the world
@RichardElden I think we can ALL agree that Richard Burton was a far better actor than you can ever hope to be, and probably achieved more in his life than you in yours. When you are as critically acclaimed as him come back and try to make a valid coherent argument you sad little man.
@essertpitay That voice, that "Welsh thing" runs from Dylan Thomas to Burton to Anthony Hopkins. Burton and Hopkins both made recordings of Thomas' "Under Milkwood."
@essertpitay Well, you shouldn't copy anyone exactly, but yes - you hear something that impresses you, you try to figure out how to do it, and then use what you like. You hear a great guitar player, or great singer, and you want to know how they do it. You study who is great, what works, then see if any of it helps you. I mean, if you want to sing Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea," you should listen to the original by Charles Trenet. I hope this makes sense!
I don't understand how anyone can say that this is bad... Shakespearean plays are ubiquitous but it's truly rare that I see one with actors who really understand the contents of the play and apply the right tone to the speeches...like this one for example LOL
@RichardElden Hahahahah that's hilarious. So when you run out of any arguments, you just repeat the same ridiculous comments from your previous posts.?
So out of the 99% of good things, you just decide to concentrate on the 1% of negative things. Is that really enough justification to hate him so much and spam videos about him?
Are you really that pathetic or are you trying to troll
@RichardElden also, it's widely known Burton had an affair with a black maid. In addition to that he had many known friends from different ethnicity backgrounds. So I don't see how you can call him a racist.
He actually frequently spoke against racism (you can find interviews on youtube, where he speaks for equality)
When did he make remarks about Brando? Did you pull that out of your ass too?
Seriously though, enough lies/excuses. Why Burton? What made you decide that you want to hate this guy?
@RichardElden Once again, this is completely untrue.
It's amusing to me to what pathetic lengths you'll go to try to slander this man, so I'll play your little game. However if you want to make your claims half-believable, you'll have to do better than that.
Jenkins never claimed Burton was a racist. He did mention that Burton didn't like South Africa, mainly because of it's political system. The main criticisms of Burton in that book is that he turned to drinks and money as a goal.
From what I understand, he actually supported the Black Panthers and he and Liz chose to remarry in South Africa "among their kind". He had the first black Playboy centerfold as a lover and his dresser who was at his side most of his life, and for whom he served as Best Man in his wedding was black. Never heard anything about which you speak, but am reading the latest bio on him now and will see if I see anything that the others that I have read left out on this.Seems he detested racism.
From what I understand, he actually supported the Black Panthers and he and Liz chose to remarry in South Africa "among their kind". He had the first black Playboy centerfold as a lover and his dresser who was at his side most of his life, and for whom he served as Best Man in his wedding was black. Never heard anything about which you speak, but am reading the latest bio on him now and will see if I see anything that the others that I have read left out on this.Seems he detested racism.
I must say, after reading some of these comments that one thing RB was NOT was a racist. He had close relationships w ppl of many ethnic backgrounds and despised racism. Where on Earth could someone have pulled that???
@tammymc65 that idiot made it up.. He never made racist comments or funded the apartheid. What he loosely alluded to was a film called "The Wild Geese" which was filmed in South Africa at the time of the apartheid. The films and the characters in it were controversial at the time because of their somewhat racist portrayal. But in the novel it's based on (The Thin White Line) there's intended racism too. It was a criticism of racism through irony. Burton simply acted, he wasn't actually racist.
@RichardElden lol there you go again. You do realize I can see you're simply copying your previous comments right?
No one cares what you think of this man. If you don't like him, don't watch the videos.
Why would I care that you wish he got cancer? The man died already, so everything you say is irrelevant and meaningless. It's not achieving anything but wasting your time.
You hate him, yet devote so much time and attention? Oh the irony
Do you just go through all of these videos every day? Lmao
@ReducedToAsh Yes. "RichardElden" - as he calls himself in his latest incarnation - is positively obsessed with Richard Burton. I'm assuming it's a weird romantic fixation on an unattainable genius. "RichardElden" is a rare and thoroughly repetitious creature. Before YouTube, there would've be no-one to stare at his antics. I, for one, am fascinated by people like him. When he's suspended by YouTube, it's a relief to know he'll turn up with a new name right here, enjoying Richard Burton.
Does the ghost say 'quicksilver'? Is he suffering 'Ironman syndrome'? Is he really dead? Is the solilaqoy 'to be or not to be' about what to do afterwards? philipnute com
Undoubtedly one of the best performances of Hamlet. His method is definitely unique and one that leaves an impression. His voice helped a lot. Mel Gibson has nothing on Burton, although he played the part well in his own right.
There seems to be an overflow of trolls on some of these Richard Burton videos. It's amusing how they would devote such time and attention towards slandering a deceased person, but I suggest letting them drown in their own attention-seeking and untrue claims. Ignore them
According to my mom I was there, unfortunately I have no memory of it since the sound of Burton's voice supposedly sent me off to sleep. I was l about two and a half, my Mum was visiting my great aunt, the babysitter was a no show they had tixs so they took me.,,
... I don't know why I am even bothering to answer your idiotic post .... but I didn't insult anyone who happen to be passionate about Shakesp. Prove that ! Don't make up bullshit and ... goodbye.
@cheeriosinabowl "Shakespeare is boring...People still like this stuff?" Yeah, insulting no one ? O.K., sure. Go watch "The Room" or something. I'm sure your taste is much more attuned to it.
@cheeriosinabowl I agree. I hate geniuses too. I live a dopey existence of trolling channel to channel posting comments that make me sound like a giant tard too.
Burton was an out and out cunt, his 'acting' was ludicrous..watch him play against Peter O' Toole in the film Becket..Burton couldn't 'live' with O'Toole, showed Burton up for what he was, a fucking chancer. a fucking miner..
@RichardElden Why don't you try actually reading a book about Burton? Then you would realize the context some of those statements were made in. Richard was very against Apartheid. And he thought Brando was great. I think you're probably the bigot here. Why don't you go educate yourself?
@RichardElden Who gives a crap what Brando thought of Burton. Brando was a nutjob. He rocked, but his opinion of Burton has absolutely nothing to do with his fantastic performances. There are more a-hole actors than not. If we judged all actors by their offstage actions, there wouldn't be very many that remained unscathed. They're egotistical and spoiled by the very nature of the craft.
@RichardElden just to say i come from the same area as he did in wales and i have an English accent it is just some thing you pick up drama teachers don't like welsh accents it is difficult to pick up if you are not welsh
What are the accusations of Richard Burton being a racist based on? I believe a man named Bob Wilson (African American) and his wife would disagree. From what I've read Bob Wilson was Richard Burton's assistant/dresser and he and his wife were treated like family. Elizabeth Taylor speaks of Bob going with them to Bulgari while they were in Rome filming Cleopatra. She recalls that Richard asked Bob's opinion on which piece of jewelry he preferred. I've also read that Bob was very dear to Richard!
@RichardElden Sorry I'm getting a tiny bit mad now so I'm just going to say that I don't believe they were, it's only you, and I don't know if you like either of them but if what you say is true my respect has fallen so much for the pair; well done.You don't have an argument because you keep contradicting yourself by spewing out random slaverings of hate. If both did truely wish that aren't they as bad or even worse than Burton. Burton son of a Welsh miner who dreamed and did the impossible.
@siobhans96 is that your mark of a good actor; somebody who says "Oh we don't like him and/or we think he's not up to scratch in the acting derpartment; Kill him". Who do you think you are Calligula or something. I dare you to awnser me without once being a tiny bit disrespectful. Are you the kind of person who'd have a kid and go watch his/her school play only to geer because the five year old isn't quite a pure talent. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking, because I judge not very.
@siobhans96 also one last thing, I'm sure you'll start shouting at me soon since your slightly unhealthy obsession with Burton takes hold every five minutes. I'm not totally 100% sure how youtube works but since my first comment wasn't directed at you specifically one can only wonder. I'm sorry If I sound quite rude but saying your glad someone died is a little rude so...
By the way I observe Burton because firstly I am a fan and secondly I want and aspire to become an actor on such a magnitude myself someday. It helps to learn and be encouraged and inspired by such succesful actors. It really does help. Please can somebody explain why those who hold these negative thoughts, it cant be healthy, comment so much because perhaps then I could gain some more empathy and perspective. I consider myself an open minded indivdual without everything set in stone.
@siobhans96 That is all very well, keeping an open mind and being magnanimous but one must draw the line at incompetence. Burton couldn't act and if you're using Burton's performance has a guide line you're in big trouble..if he was trying to make it today, he wouldn't get a look in. the world has seen through his ham acting.
What tends to slightly aggravate me is that when people want to criticise an actor, e.g Burton, on youtube they don't just do that; do they? Why must people feel the need to attack another human being in such a harsh manner. Shakespeare is hard enough and, with that wonderful voice, I think he pulls it out of the bag with such courage. I doubt if he was still alive today any of these pc people would dare say anything in person. Is that your reason for bad acting; your peronal dislike of someone.
you can't even say he was 'overacting' because that implies he was 'acting' although badly. It was obvious he hadn't a clue what he was saying, all those silly gestures and unnecessary movements, more embarrassing than anything else, Give me Kenneth Branagh any day.
@NCKIUELT what a stupid and facile thing to suggest. I'm not an actor, and I, like every one else, has a right to criticise Burton or any other actor. I probably could do 'better' actually!!
@mikemosocw Looks like I hit a nerve! Of course you can have an opinion it's just yours was really more an insult than a criticism. Just remember opinions are like assholes; everyone has one :D
@vintagelovegal why go back to a time when you could have watched this once for a shitload of money when you live in an age when you can watch it as much as you want for free?
@HughBriss69 Don't worry. The Burton bashers tend to be same two people, inventing new IDs each time he/they get banned from YouTube. It's always the same shrill screaming under a new name and the same bizarre comments posted to EVERY YouTube clip of Burton. One has to admit, though,that these irrational people are hard working. I admire their tragic persistence. And so it goes . . .
You can't judge a stage production watching it from a computer 60 years later. That's how theatre works and that's why it does NOT on youtube. so stop watching and god bless the stage!
@liveoperator I basically agree with you. I think this was overdone in spots but it did get some points across and he did give a fresh interpretation. Some of his body language and phrasing gave points of insight into the language and other parts were over the top, I thought. My favorite is Mel Gibson, maybe surprisingly including both Branagh's and Tennent's renditions. For me, he's the one who hit the dead-on balance point of all the swirling emotions and compulsions.
and in his day, you couldnt mumble your way naturalisticaly through things. for better or worse the emphasis was on poetry rather than introspective method. your sensibilities are shaped by your age
weak? Rushed? troll. dont you hear the pauses and suspensions? Dont forget this comes from a performance and compared to the rest this is very slow, shakespeare isnt meant to be slow and laboured (as hamlet himself says) im a proffesional actor and trust me, slow shakespeare sends audiences to sleep, which is precisley why paul schofeild was an actors actor and burton was a superstar. this is beautiful.
in my english class we watched 4 different readings of this speech and i thought this was by far the strongest. i was really surprised to see some of these negative comments. i think he made it his own, and gave the speech new meaning.
Burton was brilliant--not everyman's version of Hamlet, surely. Look at clips of John Barrymoore's Hamlet from the twenties--seems stilted and overacted, though highly regarded in its day. Burton tried to break up the "long lines"--and make them more accessible to a modern audience. Love it? Hate it? Can one deny his talent?
Everyone! Please refrain from discounting this as a trifle of an instance of our great William Shakespeare. Take note of how he has portrayed hamlet, but do justice to his qualities within the same observation. Mad or angry; does not one recieve either the two when brought upon such predicaments? IMHO! I think it is not the best depiction of hamlet however, it does spur some questions to the motive of shakespeares's characters. AND I believe that is the purpose of reviewing these depictions.
After having compared a number of versions on youtube, i think this is by far the best. Richard Burton had an amazing voice and I would rather listen to him than any of the others.
Burton in his prime, directed by Gielgud, declaiming Shakespeare... Does it get any better than this?
I've been watching a lot of great performances of this speech (thank you, YouTube) this evening, but not until this performance did I draw a parallel between Hamlet and Capt. Ahab in their respective, self-destructive obsessions.
I made a demo torch song about Hamlet’s Ophelia; it’s about the greatness and inevitable tragedy of loving unconditionally in human relationships. I wanna share this for free before I release it in studio version. This is not just for fans of Shakespeare and the theatre; this is for all people who have loved and got their hearts broken in return in 2010.
Check it out in the response of this awesome video or in my channel. Happy New Year Everyone!
This is truly an inspiration to watch! Richard just shows how great he is as a stage actor. It's a sure contrast with the bland and monotonous so called acting we have these days. Unfortunately, people who are too used to modern films just dont get the acting required to fill an entire theater and the tradition of theatrical acting. You have to be bigger than life because you are but a small being onstage. People seating near the back need to feel all the nuances and emotions.
Juan: You crack me up! I'm reminded of a stray cat that comes meowing to one's door; feed her, and you'll never get rid of her. Ignore her, and she'll skulk away and bother someone else.
Some of the comments here are disgusting. Burton was a truly brilliant actor. he was so popular that they filmed a live performance of his Hamlet and broadcast it directly into cinemas across the UK. Regarding the opinion of "JuanMacready". This is a man that has favourited videos by Chris de Burgh and David Cameron - need I say more.
@ThePeeterd I think this is the best version I have ever seen myself. I have film some short clips of Shakespeare including me doing part of this. Let me know what you think. I have quite acting now.
@JuanMacready So lung cancer or being shot dead which should it be again. What about death by Chris De Burgh - that should do it to any man of taste and decency.
To be, or not to be--that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep-- No more--and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep-- To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come....
designermite 2 days ago
Dear, oh, dear! I am astonished! Burton was of his time. He broke the rules...Before him? Guilgud and Olivier broke the rules...before them Herbert Beerbhom Tree broke the rules, before that Edmund Kean broke the rules, before that David Garrick broke the rules...etc etc...Burton's 'Angry Young Man' approach was astonishing in it's time...His risk with "beats' and 'Inner Landscape' astonishing. His valiant defence of the English Theatre without comparison (Tynan/Burton).
jandismaszilenka 2 days ago
A schizophrenic hamlet!!! Guys this is the most unkindest cut of all!!!
kiranflys 3 weeks ago
This is the first time I have seen this. A masterful and different piece, from Mel, Kenneth and of course Olivier. Thank You for this.
Starcam444 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Slightly unrelated but a great holiday gift from YouTube: RichardElden - aka juanmacready/peterfirthsboyfriend - has had his account shut down. I'm sure he'll be back in 2012 with a new screen name and the same bizarre cut-and-past comments. Still, I wanted to share this offbeat news with all you intelligent clear-headed people.
TheStockwell 1 month ago
Hello everybody, I have produced a student film version of this speech and any feedback anybody thdy can offer would be most appreciated. Its on my channel.
johncswheatley 1 month ago
I go through this every day.
HeroineWith1000Faces 1 month ago
A very great Hamlet, by a great actor
jay1beaux 2 months ago
Takes my breath away. Wow. (Also- are people seriously having pitching matches on here? Just enjoy the scene).
GiantPetRat 2 months ago
RB made many insulting remarks while drunk. Things that were often hurtful. I would imagine that he could very well have made racist remarks while under the influence, but a racist man does not have a love affair with a black woman, Jeannie Bell, I THINK her name was, and place her son in an exclusive school while she was living with him in his home. JS
tammymc65 2 months ago
@RichardElden He didn't have an English accent.
hummarstra 2 months ago
A true master of the Theatre, his Hamlet is without doubt the best.
RoyT299 2 months ago
I don't know if this is a good Hamlet or not, but I love Richard Burton. My fav performance of his is in Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe? Just love him.
hummarstra 2 months ago
@RichardElden Accordinmg to my sources it was ture in the reverse
bidgeums 2 months ago
@RichardElden what an incredibly bitter person you are did he turn your tiny penis down dreary deary, oh you poor wee thing,I know we are ALL hoping to see YOUR performance of Hamlet in the near future or is that an impossibility, Now hows that cancer /aids going has it killed you yet, I hear they are offering a special on Cheap vodka down at Tesco better put on your high heels get ioff your high horse and mince on down there.
bidgeums 2 months ago
@RichardElden...well dreary deary didnt they (all the actORs you mentioned) try and seduce you, oh nothing like a spurned queen correct. You seem to be protesting rather strenuously here or is it the Green Manalishi with the 2 pronged crown rearing its ugly head. And I am sorry but WE dont all, agree with your ill informed surmation of Burtons performances.
bidgeums 2 months ago
This is Bull shit i tell you it just crap from a long time ao why on earth you watch this.
TheJason3434 2 months ago
@TheJason3434 Obviously This jason person is a respected drama critic who witnessed many performances by the Great Burton,and of course most critics are in general terms frustrated performers. Burtion left a mark on the world of theatre ,and at the same time loved his Rugby and if he was bi-sexual so friggin what? he obviously serviced many fine ladies such as Clare Bloom, Liz taylor,and many many others his life was fascinating stretching from the welsh coal mines to the theatres of the world
bidgeums 2 months ago
@RichardElden because he is english well welsh (close enough)
romanking96 3 months ago
@RichardElden I think we can ALL agree that Richard Burton was a far better actor than you can ever hope to be, and probably achieved more in his life than you in yours. When you are as critically acclaimed as him come back and try to make a valid coherent argument you sad little man.
LaVaudevillian 3 months ago
much better than Kenneth Branagh!
veromo1995 3 months ago
You can't beat that voice.
essertpitay 3 months ago
@essertpitay That voice, that "Welsh thing" runs from Dylan Thomas to Burton to Anthony Hopkins. Burton and Hopkins both made recordings of Thomas' "Under Milkwood."
TheStockwell 3 months ago
@TheStockwell So you guys are trained/brought up in developping "a" voice ?
essertpitay 3 months ago
@essertpitay Well, you shouldn't copy anyone exactly, but yes - you hear something that impresses you, you try to figure out how to do it, and then use what you like. You hear a great guitar player, or great singer, and you want to know how they do it. You study who is great, what works, then see if any of it helps you. I mean, if you want to sing Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea," you should listen to the original by Charles Trenet. I hope this makes sense!
TheStockwell 3 months ago
Oh lol @ReducedToAsh , why are you fighting with someone who doesn't understand Shakespeare?
MrRinderRupinder 3 months ago
I don't understand how anyone can say that this is bad... Shakespearean plays are ubiquitous but it's truly rare that I see one with actors who really understand the contents of the play and apply the right tone to the speeches...like this one for example LOL
MrRinderRupinder 3 months ago
@RichardElden But....didn't you just say that the book was "99% favorable" towards him..?
Your attempts to slander this guy or piss people off are very amusing and all, but I'm starting to think that you might be legitimately retarded.
Your opinions about his acting are your own.. tell them to someone who cares
ReducedToAsh 3 months ago
@RichardElden Hahahahah that's hilarious. So when you run out of any arguments, you just repeat the same ridiculous comments from your previous posts.?
So out of the 99% of good things, you just decide to concentrate on the 1% of negative things. Is that really enough justification to hate him so much and spam videos about him?
Are you really that pathetic or are you trying to troll
ReducedToAsh 3 months ago
@RichardElden except he didn't. And his brother's book was made to attract attention anyways.
Are you trying to say that your entire hate for Burton comes from one comment his brother made in his book?
ReducedToAsh 3 months ago
@RichardElden Again, made up. Are you even trying anymore?
Where is your convincing proof that he ever used the n-word? Or is this also one of those claims you just pull out of nowhere?
So now you're calling him a slave-owner? And I assume you also have undeniable proof of this as well?
I've no interest in Brando, nor his opinion on Burton. And no, sorry, I'm not going to search up the sources for your argument for you.
You've still managed to get no further from feeble and childish accusations
ReducedToAsh 3 months ago
@RichardElden also, it's widely known Burton had an affair with a black maid. In addition to that he had many known friends from different ethnicity backgrounds. So I don't see how you can call him a racist.
He actually frequently spoke against racism (you can find interviews on youtube, where he speaks for equality)
When did he make remarks about Brando? Did you pull that out of your ass too?
Seriously though, enough lies/excuses. Why Burton? What made you decide that you want to hate this guy?
ReducedToAsh 3 months ago
@RichardElden Once again, this is completely untrue.
It's amusing to me to what pathetic lengths you'll go to try to slander this man, so I'll play your little game. However if you want to make your claims half-believable, you'll have to do better than that.
Jenkins never claimed Burton was a racist. He did mention that Burton didn't like South Africa, mainly because of it's political system. The main criticisms of Burton in that book is that he turned to drinks and money as a goal.
ReducedToAsh 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@RichardElden get some help kid
DopeRhymeThatIkick 3 months ago
@RichardElden Why does one care so for long dead man's mistakes?
MrGrukan 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
From what I understand, he actually supported the Black Panthers and he and Liz chose to remarry in South Africa "among their kind". He had the first black Playboy centerfold as a lover and his dresser who was at his side most of his life, and for whom he served as Best Man in his wedding was black. Never heard anything about which you speak, but am reading the latest bio on him now and will see if I see anything that the others that I have read left out on this.Seems he detested racism.
tammymc65 4 months ago
From what I understand, he actually supported the Black Panthers and he and Liz chose to remarry in South Africa "among their kind". He had the first black Playboy centerfold as a lover and his dresser who was at his side most of his life, and for whom he served as Best Man in his wedding was black. Never heard anything about which you speak, but am reading the latest bio on him now and will see if I see anything that the others that I have read left out on this.Seems he detested racism.
tammymc65 4 months ago
I must say, after reading some of these comments that one thing RB was NOT was a racist. He had close relationships w ppl of many ethnic backgrounds and despised racism. Where on Earth could someone have pulled that???
tammymc65 4 months ago
@tammymc65 that idiot made it up.. He never made racist comments or funded the apartheid. What he loosely alluded to was a film called "The Wild Geese" which was filmed in South Africa at the time of the apartheid. The films and the characters in it were controversial at the time because of their somewhat racist portrayal. But in the novel it's based on (The Thin White Line) there's intended racism too. It was a criticism of racism through irony. Burton simply acted, he wasn't actually racist.
ReducedToAsh 4 months ago 4
I feel the same way Vintage! I am so fascinated by Burton. Hate I missed the glory years of his acting career.
tammymc65 4 months ago
@RichardElden lol there you go again. You do realize I can see you're simply copying your previous comments right?
No one cares what you think of this man. If you don't like him, don't watch the videos.
Why would I care that you wish he got cancer? The man died already, so everything you say is irrelevant and meaningless. It's not achieving anything but wasting your time.
You hate him, yet devote so much time and attention? Oh the irony
Do you just go through all of these videos every day? Lmao
ReducedToAsh 4 months ago 21
@ReducedToAsh Yes. "RichardElden" - as he calls himself in his latest incarnation - is positively obsessed with Richard Burton. I'm assuming it's a weird romantic fixation on an unattainable genius. "RichardElden" is a rare and thoroughly repetitious creature. Before YouTube, there would've be no-one to stare at his antics. I, for one, am fascinated by people like him. When he's suspended by YouTube, it's a relief to know he'll turn up with a new name right here, enjoying Richard Burton.
TheStockwell 3 months ago
Does the ghost say 'quicksilver'? Is he suffering 'Ironman syndrome'? Is he really dead? Is the solilaqoy 'to be or not to be' about what to do afterwards? philipnute com
zsezse215 4 months ago
Undoubtedly one of the best performances of Hamlet. His method is definitely unique and one that leaves an impression. His voice helped a lot. Mel Gibson has nothing on Burton, although he played the part well in his own right.
There seems to be an overflow of trolls on some of these Richard Burton videos. It's amusing how they would devote such time and attention towards slandering a deceased person, but I suggest letting them drown in their own attention-seeking and untrue claims. Ignore them
ReducedToAsh 4 months ago 27
@RichardElden What a voice, though. Bet he was drunk off his nut when he was doing this, too.
ProjectFlashlight612 4 months ago
Burton plays Hamlet as a repressed hysteric. I've seen this speech done many ways, but it's like Hamlet's on speed. Brilliant performance.
ProjectFlashlight612 4 months ago
ahhhh, gets me every time :)
ZephyrsSong 4 months ago
David Tenants way better!
Theshortyization1 4 months ago
what is this shit?
speak a language we use today and how about not with such pompous
UberTroll13 4 months ago
@UberTroll13 i prefer ye olde times like the Vikings
skateboardjumps 4 months ago
Search Shakespeare in the Kitchen-14 characters in 14 weeks
csawyer55 5 months ago
According to my mom I was there, unfortunately I have no memory of it since the sound of Burton's voice supposedly sent me off to sleep. I was l about two and a half, my Mum was visiting my great aunt, the babysitter was a no show they had tixs so they took me.,,
musicfishdiva 5 months ago in playlist Richard Burton
f this!
JamesMGarren 5 months ago
Burton is great; the actress playing Ophelia is terrible.
al1936ful 5 months ago
Does the DVD have the name "Hamlet" printed on the bottom left-hand corner all through the film?
al1936ful 5 months ago
Shakespeare is boring.
People still like this stuff?
cheeriosinabowl 5 months ago
@cheeriosinabowl Don't know if trolling or just stupid ?
vintagelovegal 5 months ago
@vintagelovegal
.... trolling or just stupid ... that is YOU !!
You can't handle other people's opinions? Then get the hell off youtube.
cheeriosinabowl 5 months ago
@cheeriosinabowl Niether can you apparently. If you don't like Shakespeare why are you even here insulting people who are passionate about him?
vintagelovegal 5 months ago
@vintagelovegal
... I don't know why I am even bothering to answer your idiotic post .... but I didn't insult anyone who happen to be passionate about Shakesp. Prove that ! Don't make up bullshit and ... goodbye.
cheeriosinabowl 5 months ago
@cheeriosinabowl "Shakespeare is boring...People still like this stuff?" Yeah, insulting no one ? O.K., sure. Go watch "The Room" or something. I'm sure your taste is much more attuned to it.
vintagelovegal 5 months ago
Comment removed
ashes2Azhez 5 months ago
You can F*** yourself with what you said why did you even search for this hobnocker
ashes2Azhez 5 months ago
@ashes2Azhez Cankerblossom.
vintagelovegal 5 months ago
@cheeriosinabowl I agree. I hate geniuses too. I live a dopey existence of trolling channel to channel posting comments that make me sound like a giant tard too.
Rush555555 4 months ago
@Rush555555
... fyi, I am not a troll nor a tard. Then again, I am speaking only for myself. ;))
cheeriosinabowl 4 months ago
@cheeriosinabowl yes, people still likes this stuff
why? the answer is beyond your mouse knowledge my friend
JulioLeonFandinho 4 months ago
@JulioLeonFandinho
.... that was a snotty reply. It said a lot about YOU !
cheeriosinabowl 4 months ago
To Beer Or Not To Beer?- Shakesbeer
OrienteeringGuy 5 months ago 3
I love this excerpt!
keeponbleeding 6 months ago
'The undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns...'
Yeah, except Hamlet's father at the beginning of the play. Oops.
c0nzo12 6 months ago
weak copared to Branagh
cauim 6 months ago
Superb.
Jigaboo123456 6 months ago
methinks the dick protests too much.
alifor9 6 months ago
@alifor9 pompous idiot.
mikemosocw 6 months ago
@mikemosocw LMAO
alifor9 1 month ago
@RichardElden That's not true. He always slid into a Welsh moil, regardless of whether he was being an "Ac-tor" or just acting. Definitely Taffy.
alifor9 6 months ago
Burton was an out and out cunt, his 'acting' was ludicrous..watch him play against Peter O' Toole in the film Becket..Burton couldn't 'live' with O'Toole, showed Burton up for what he was, a fucking chancer. a fucking miner..
mikemosocw 6 months ago
Your "comment" is full of envy and hate, lol, and people should never try to use the cunt word as an insult. Cunts are beautiful things.
lewars1912 6 months ago
@mikemosocw Sure he was. But you're a twat.
alifor9 1 month ago
@RichardElden Why don't you try actually reading a book about Burton? Then you would realize the context some of those statements were made in. Richard was very against Apartheid. And he thought Brando was great. I think you're probably the bigot here. Why don't you go educate yourself?
HarleyQuinn57 6 months ago
and thus enterprises of great PITCH and moment? Did I hear incorrectly?
paperman8888 7 months ago
@paperman8888 That's what it says in my copy of the text.
sstuddert 6 months ago
@paperman8888 It can be "pith" or "pitch" depending on the version you are reading.
Pith is from the 1623 First Folio. That may have been the one most used on stage.
Pitch is from the 1604 Second Quarto. That may have been Shakespeare's first draft of Hamlet.
If you read the First Quarto, you won't find the line there at all. A few other lines are missing, as well.
Pitch and Pith come with different implications, maybe. But Pith sounds better to me. Whatever you wish.
alifor9 6 months ago
Not my favorite, but he does do a great job capturing Hamlet's desperation.
fantome17 7 months ago
Thanks, I just heard this to a hip hop beat. Poetry Classics To Funky beats. Unbelievable version but very youthful.
bestgreatvideos 7 months ago
He lets himself down in this piece. He is edgy and his timing is is all to pieces.
nbatterby 8 months ago
@RichardElden Who gives a crap what Brando thought of Burton. Brando was a nutjob. He rocked, but his opinion of Burton has absolutely nothing to do with his fantastic performances. There are more a-hole actors than not. If we judged all actors by their offstage actions, there wouldn't be very many that remained unscathed. They're egotistical and spoiled by the very nature of the craft.
elfhermie 8 months ago
@RichardElden Burton hated niggers? Another point in his favour. :thumbsup:
Bregowald 8 months ago
@Bregowald The best man at Burton's first marriage to Elizabeth Taylor was Black. Obviously he didn't care about the guy's race.
HarleyQuinn57 7 months ago
@RichardElden Really!? I wasn't aware of that. if you don't mind where did you read or hear this?
nikkymo 8 months ago
@RichardElden just to say i come from the same area as he did in wales and i have an English accent it is just some thing you pick up drama teachers don't like welsh accents it is difficult to pick up if you are not welsh
TheCaitlinsawday 8 months ago
What are the accusations of Richard Burton being a racist based on? I believe a man named Bob Wilson (African American) and his wife would disagree. From what I've read Bob Wilson was Richard Burton's assistant/dresser and he and his wife were treated like family. Elizabeth Taylor speaks of Bob going with them to Bulgari while they were in Rome filming Cleopatra. She recalls that Richard asked Bob's opinion on which piece of jewelry he preferred. I've also read that Bob was very dear to Richard!
nikkymo 8 months ago
@RichardElden What makes you call him racist?
nikkymo 8 months ago
@RichardElden Well, at least he was legendary whereas you're just a loser.
ThaddeusRobe 8 months ago
@RichardElden Sorry I'm getting a tiny bit mad now so I'm just going to say that I don't believe they were, it's only you, and I don't know if you like either of them but if what you say is true my respect has fallen so much for the pair; well done.You don't have an argument because you keep contradicting yourself by spewing out random slaverings of hate. If both did truely wish that aren't they as bad or even worse than Burton. Burton son of a Welsh miner who dreamed and did the impossible.
siobhans96 9 months ago
@siobhans96 is that your mark of a good actor; somebody who says "Oh we don't like him and/or we think he's not up to scratch in the acting derpartment; Kill him". Who do you think you are Calligula or something. I dare you to awnser me without once being a tiny bit disrespectful. Are you the kind of person who'd have a kid and go watch his/her school play only to geer because the five year old isn't quite a pure talent. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking, because I judge not very.
siobhans96 9 months ago
@siobhans96 also one last thing, I'm sure you'll start shouting at me soon since your slightly unhealthy obsession with Burton takes hold every five minutes. I'm not totally 100% sure how youtube works but since my first comment wasn't directed at you specifically one can only wonder. I'm sorry If I sound quite rude but saying your glad someone died is a little rude so...
siobhans96 9 months ago
@RichardElden Maybe, but Olivier and Burton were friends so....
siobhans96 9 months ago
By the way I observe Burton because firstly I am a fan and secondly I want and aspire to become an actor on such a magnitude myself someday. It helps to learn and be encouraged and inspired by such succesful actors. It really does help. Please can somebody explain why those who hold these negative thoughts, it cant be healthy, comment so much because perhaps then I could gain some more empathy and perspective. I consider myself an open minded indivdual without everything set in stone.
siobhans96 9 months ago
@siobhans96 That is all very well, keeping an open mind and being magnanimous but one must draw the line at incompetence. Burton couldn't act and if you're using Burton's performance has a guide line you're in big trouble..if he was trying to make it today, he wouldn't get a look in. the world has seen through his ham acting.
mikemosocw 6 months ago
What tends to slightly aggravate me is that when people want to criticise an actor, e.g Burton, on youtube they don't just do that; do they? Why must people feel the need to attack another human being in such a harsh manner. Shakespeare is hard enough and, with that wonderful voice, I think he pulls it out of the bag with such courage. I doubt if he was still alive today any of these pc people would dare say anything in person. Is that your reason for bad acting; your peronal dislike of someone.
siobhans96 9 months ago
Laughable rubbish!
His 'acting' is appalling.
mikemosocw 9 months ago
@mikemosocw
you can't even say he was 'overacting' because that implies he was 'acting' although badly. It was obvious he hadn't a clue what he was saying, all those silly gestures and unnecessary movements, more embarrassing than anything else, Give me Kenneth Branagh any day.
mikemosocw 9 months ago
@mikemosocw Do better then and post it on here lol
NCKIUELT 6 months ago
@NCKIUELT what a stupid and facile thing to suggest. I'm not an actor, and I, like every one else, has a right to criticise Burton or any other actor. I probably could do 'better' actually!!
mikemosocw 6 months ago
@mikemosocw Looks like I hit a nerve! Of course you can have an opinion it's just yours was really more an insult than a criticism. Just remember opinions are like assholes; everyone has one :D
NCKIUELT 6 months ago
I fucking hate all of you
sharkmuffins 9 months ago
Are you kidding me? Any leading actor who plays Hamlet is a GREAT actor. This is really the hardest dialogue there is, it's Shakespeare after all.
cjcheri 9 months ago
@cjcheri that counts for little..'great' actor, stop going over the top, you hysterical woman!
mikemosocw 6 months ago
@mikemosocw If I am a hysterical woman the you are a prick with a pole up his ass so stfu
cjcheri 6 months ago
@cjcheri What has got in to you? you've become unhinged, lost all sense of proportion, relax, you'll give yourself an heart attack.
mikemosocw 6 months ago
god i wish i coulda been there WHY WAS I BORN IN THE 90's AGGGGGHHH
vintagelovegal 9 months ago 16
@vintagelovegal why go back to a time when you could have watched this once for a shitload of money when you live in an age when you can watch it as much as you want for free?
c0nzo12 6 months ago
@vintagelovegal I constantly ask myself the same question. I would kill to see this live!
VthatsME 5 months ago
DAVID TENANT WAS AMAZING FOR THIS !!!
vintagelovegal 9 months ago
Mel Gibson is the man! I mean ...HAMLET!!
groenhvid 9 months ago
@groenhvid Gosto é gosto!
nanibraun50 9 months ago
Drunken twaddle
simon3919 9 months ago
By God, there are some deeply flawed human beings commenting here.
HughBriss69 9 months ago 34
@HughBriss69 Don't worry. The Burton bashers tend to be same two people, inventing new IDs each time he/they get banned from YouTube. It's always the same shrill screaming under a new name and the same bizarre comments posted to EVERY YouTube clip of Burton. One has to admit, though,that these irrational people are hard working. I admire their tragic persistence. And so it goes . . .
TheStockwell 7 months ago
this is the best, and i have seen at least 10...
jonnbwright 9 months ago
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. THE BEST i HAVE SEEN of this speech and I have looked at them all
merlin999999 9 months ago
You can't judge a stage production watching it from a computer 60 years later. That's how theatre works and that's why it does NOT on youtube. so stop watching and god bless the stage!
diddeliduddi 10 months ago
Kenneth Branagh did it better. This guy just rushed it and said it with barely any emotion.....Well, if you call hand gestures emotions. -__-'
pianoac 10 months ago
Burton is a legend how ill you speak of the dead you should be ashamed.
MrWkd12 10 months ago
How many advertisements can youtube show me???
I buy toothpaste. I don't have any interest in buying a car. Remember when youtube was good?
scotchprofessor 10 months ago
He does not feel the text...
reafdaw01 10 months ago
aaaaa fuck you, richard burton was a great man
louw123 10 months ago 2
@liveoperator I basically agree with you. I think this was overdone in spots but it did get some points across and he did give a fresh interpretation. Some of his body language and phrasing gave points of insight into the language and other parts were over the top, I thought. My favorite is Mel Gibson, maybe surprisingly including both Branagh's and Tennent's renditions. For me, he's the one who hit the dead-on balance point of all the swirling emotions and compulsions.
dc8058 11 months ago
that was fucking horrible...
jesuscat29 11 months ago
Burton was a talentless racist piece of shit. He had sex with older men including Emlyn Williams and Philip Burton.
JuanMacready 11 months ago
and in his day, you couldnt mumble your way naturalisticaly through things. for better or worse the emphasis was on poetry rather than introspective method. your sensibilities are shaped by your age
funkoxen 11 months ago
weak? Rushed? troll. dont you hear the pauses and suspensions? Dont forget this comes from a performance and compared to the rest this is very slow, shakespeare isnt meant to be slow and laboured (as hamlet himself says) im a proffesional actor and trust me, slow shakespeare sends audiences to sleep, which is precisley why paul schofeild was an actors actor and burton was a superstar. this is beautiful.
funkoxen 11 months ago 2
in my english class we watched 4 different readings of this speech and i thought this was by far the strongest. i was really surprised to see some of these negative comments. i think he made it his own, and gave the speech new meaning.
liveoperator 11 months ago 2
To sleep, knowing, perchance to dream a culture once again growing in a beyond of none ayrie seemeth as unlikely as a moon sized fairie.
Lieu3C4 11 months ago
Burton was brilliant--not everyman's version of Hamlet, surely. Look at clips of John Barrymoore's Hamlet from the twenties--seems stilted and overacted, though highly regarded in its day. Burton tried to break up the "long lines"--and make them more accessible to a modern audience. Love it? Hate it? Can one deny his talent?
runestone0 11 months ago
Thou knaves! Thou steely fated death harpy! Get thy blanket folded and stick thyself to spits of fire!
Felderoth 11 months ago
Brilliant on so many levels!
mitchroushart 11 months ago
If this is the weakest version anyone's seen, they've been fucking spoiled.
Tomthenigma 11 months ago
Everyone! Please refrain from discounting this as a trifle of an instance of our great William Shakespeare. Take note of how he has portrayed hamlet, but do justice to his qualities within the same observation. Mad or angry; does not one recieve either the two when brought upon such predicaments? IMHO! I think it is not the best depiction of hamlet however, it does spur some questions to the motive of shakespeares's characters. AND I believe that is the purpose of reviewing these depictions.
youfool8181 1 year ago
Burton was a wooden film actor, and an overacting ham who only copied Olivier.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
@RichardElden you should over act a bit while on stage.
joe59788 1 year ago
@RichardElden Yes.
socalled47 1 year ago
@RichardElden You posh, stuck-up bastard! Burton was a legend!
socalled47 1 year ago
The greatest moment ever :-)
89217724042 1 year ago
I liked it. But I think he does better when he plays off other actors than when he's alone on stage.
tangoseven70 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I wish Richard Burton had died of lung cancer like Sir Stanley Baker.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
To be or not to be I'd be a wasp
wiltonjs 1 year ago
After having compared a number of versions on youtube, i think this is by far the best. Richard Burton had an amazing voice and I would rather listen to him than any of the others.
iggitube18 1 year ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Judy Dench is much better than that ridiculous Richard Burton was
92af 1 year ago 25
@92af judy dench is a poop from which no traveller returns
JamesPopaloaf 1 year ago
@92af Well... como se diz here in Brazil... Gosto é gosto.
nanibraun50 9 months ago
I AGREE,THE WORDS DID NOT SOUND AS MINDED,HE DOES NOT MAKE THE RIGHT ENTONATION OR AT LEAST TRY TO SHOW SOME
REFLECTION,AS THIS WORDS DO NEED.
TheAndreLucidi 1 year ago
Burton in his prime, directed by Gielgud, declaiming Shakespeare... Does it get any better than this?
I've been watching a lot of great performances of this speech (thank you, YouTube) this evening, but not until this performance did I draw a parallel between Hamlet and Capt. Ahab in their respective, self-destructive obsessions.
Thank you, whoever posted this.
tuxguys 1 year ago
I made a demo torch song about Hamlet’s Ophelia; it’s about the greatness and inevitable tragedy of loving unconditionally in human relationships. I wanna share this for free before I release it in studio version. This is not just for fans of Shakespeare and the theatre; this is for all people who have loved and got their hearts broken in return in 2010.
Check it out in the response of this awesome video or in my channel. Happy New Year Everyone!
darcon81 1 year ago
Richard Burton is great and he has an incredible voice
thebrainkw 1 year ago 2
His performance was wonderful. But I'm not a fan of the woman who played Ophelia.
ArmagonAuthor 1 year ago
i happen to study at the moment this act in my theater group. I have to say, both of their performances suck! I mean they truly suck.
Xousouris 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
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
This is truly an inspiration to watch! Richard just shows how great he is as a stage actor. It's a sure contrast with the bland and monotonous so called acting we have these days. Unfortunately, people who are too used to modern films just dont get the acting required to fill an entire theater and the tradition of theatrical acting. You have to be bigger than life because you are but a small being onstage. People seating near the back need to feel all the nuances and emotions.
operaoaf 1 year ago 2
@operaoaf Burton only copied Olivier and he was a wooden film actor.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
@JuanMacready olivier 'wooden'???!! have you seen his hamlet? it's heartbreaking
irishjanet 1 year ago
Oh actually I forgot about Nicol Williamson he is my favourite.
WillShakespeare2007 1 year ago
Juan: You crack me up! I'm reminded of a stray cat that comes meowing to one's door; feed her, and you'll never get rid of her. Ignore her, and she'll skulk away and bother someone else.
runestone0 1 year ago
I wish the talentless bisexual racist apartheid supporter Burton had died of lung cancer.
Worst Hamlet EVER.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
Everyone's a critic
ThomString 1 year ago
Some of the comments here are disgusting. Burton was a truly brilliant actor. he was so popular that they filmed a live performance of his Hamlet and broadcast it directly into cinemas across the UK. Regarding the opinion of "JuanMacready". This is a man that has favourited videos by Chris de Burgh and David Cameron - need I say more.
WillShakespeare2007 1 year ago 4
@WillShakespeare2007 being popular doesn.t automatically say.s its a good performance.
but anyway i have seen worse actors is agree with you.
its a good performance of sir John as well.
ThePeeterd 1 year ago
@ThePeeterd I think this is the best version I have ever seen myself. I have film some short clips of Shakespeare including me doing part of this. Let me know what you think. I have quite acting now.
WillShakespeare2007 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@WillShakespeare2007 Burton was a wooden film actor and an overacting ham who only copied Olivier.
I'm glad Burton died at only 58, I wish he had died of LUNG CANCER like his infinitely more talented friend Sir Stanley Baker.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
@JuanMacready This from a Chris De Burgh fan. Fail troll says what?
WillShakespeare2007 1 year ago
@WillShakespeare2007 Burton should have been shot dead for his two articles on Churchill.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
@JuanMacready So lung cancer or being shot dead which should it be again. What about death by Chris De Burgh - that should do it to any man of taste and decency.
WillShakespeare2007 1 year ago
@JuanMacready
What a mind of a stalinist. Where is your respect for the freedom of speech?! That respect, you probably keep it tight in your underware.
nick1729 1 year ago