Discovering Hamlet (part 1 of 5)

A behind-the-scenes documentary of Derek Jacobi directing Kenneth Branagh in a production of Shakespeare's play. Interviews and rehearsal footage.

1990 Documentary in its entirety, in five parts.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Shakespeare
• Hamlet
• Derek-Jacobi
• Kenneth-Branagh
• play
• theatre
• acting
• literature

[JPPT1974]

I kind of had a huge crush on Derek and still do.

[magicpony9]

Thanks so much for uploading this. It's brilliant:):):)

[jdncoke2]

Wow is this Patrick Stewart narrating? Great vid btw, many thanks :)

[EleniH]

Thanks so much for this, i'm so glad to be able to see it.

[artj22850]

missbabyice, thanks for the information...yes, I can imagine no one could sit nowdays longer than 3 hours for a stage production. I just bought the tape of Discovering Hamlet...been waiting for a good deal. Wish it was on DVD. Not sure I agree with you that he should have done the film when he was young. In the text of the play Hamlet is actually 30. We're discussing this fact on my literature forum. Many people think of Hamlet as a very young man; all in the way it's interpreted, which is fine.

[missbabyice]

This is the age he should've done the film at, when he was still young.

[missbabyice]

Uncut, it's over 4 hours long- maybe almost 5. However it is practically never done without any cuts and the longest you can get away with is about 3 hours.

[artj22850]

Thanks again, tof, for putting these up in all five parts. These are priceless. You have such a wealth of great material. I very much enjoy watching the process of the play and direction. What a team - Branagh and Jacobi. I own the Jacobi version on DVD...wonderful. When the play is done on stage do you know how long it runs? I am just curious.

[adamjohn12]

Are we all watching the same performance? From the comments I suspect the answer is no...

[JackFieldBand]

Thank you. We love Shakespeare in Israel.