Discovering Hamlet (part 2 of 5)

A behind-the-scenes documentary of Derek Jacobi directing Kenneth Branagh in a production of the 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

[deargdoomster]

And when Ophelia lies to him ("at home, my Lord"), he can instantly tell she is, and it feels all but natural to us that he's even more devastated. As Branagh himself put it, "this was last your chance". The "plague for your dowry", the "I've heard of your paintings too" and all the rest of the verbal abuse that follows is but Ophelia's punishment.

Sir Derek Jacobi is a genius.

[deargdoomster]

You see, very often have I seen this particular moment interpreted in rather questionable ways. Branagh himself, in his film version, had a noise in the background alarm him and make him only THEN think "wait, are we not alone here?" Very bad. This one, though? Much better. Hamlet has long before become aware of the presence of Polonius and the "where's your father" line sounds more like "OK, do you want me to trust you? Prove yourself honest to me and admit your father sent you to set me up".

[deargdoomster]

This particular interpretation of the "Hamlet vs. Ophelia" scene is probably the most effective and convincing I've ever encountered. I've long strived to understand the motivation for Hamlet talking and acting as he does, and now it makes more sense than ever. I particularly admired the manner of the scene's transition from Hamlet's "mere" harshness to sheer verbal brutality through the crucial "Where's your father" line.

[TheHachmom]

I dont know if i can say Jacobi is the best hamlet of all time, but hes the best i ever saw...moreover it was his performances as Hamlet and Richard II that taught me to love shakespeare after the usual shove it down your throat misteaching in high school.....watching him direct branaugh in the same part is a privledge

[speakenow]

I don't believe Jacobi plays at "contrary". He simply knows a lot about the text and the play. Questionable entrances and exits are rife--who's on stage when?--most of which have been decided by academic "emendation". There are very few stage directions in the Folio/Quarto editions--and RSC and these guys have worked with the Folio versions a lot. It simply comes down to... Choice?--or Barnes & Noble? Shakespeare hardly ever dictates to us--even while we obey some of his very important "rules".

[speakenow]

Jacobi a bad actor? Have you seen HIS Hamlet? Argued by some (who should know what they're talking about) to be the best performance of the role ever. And I wouldn't mind being directed by him at all--and I'm a director myself.

[artj22850]

As Branagh said..they both have their own concept of Hamlet and sometimes they are at odds. I don't necessarily agree with Jabobi concerning having Hamlet say the 'to be or not to be' speech to Ophelia. I like the speech privately spoken as in the later Branagh version on film.

[adamjohn12]

Does anyone else have the feeling that Derek Jacobi takes a contrarian perspective just for the sake of a contrarian perspective. One can really imagine Jacobi justifying Hamlet wearing a red clown nose throughout the performance

"He speaks through it, with it, because of it... he reveals himself to himself as a result of its presence, it is the cause of the catharsis"

I know he's knighted (twice), but come on!! He is A BAD ACTOR AND AN EVEN WORSE DIRECTOR.

[fredXfredweena]

I am seeing this in july.

with jud Law!

and I can not wait!!!!!!!

[ajdukujac]

thank you so much :D