Following
are selected lists of (1) successful and unsuccessful examples of acting
Shakespeare on film and video, (2) books for further study, (3) books on acting
Shakespeare, and (4) books on acting realism.
IA. SELECTED VIDEO AND FILM PERFORMANCES
Hamlet
1996—Kenneth
Branagh's film of the uncut text. Superb cast and production values, with
wonderful performances in the leading roles. Great clarity of plot and
character, without loss of language. Verse handled especially well by Branagh
(Hamlet), Derek Jacobi (Claudius), Julie Christie (Gertrude), and Nicholas
Farrell (Horatio). Marred only by a few whispering scenes and occasional loud
background effects that bury the words. Exchanges between Branagh and Jacobi
are especially fine to study.
1990—Franco
Zeffirelli's film, starring Mel Gibson (Hamlet), who is attractive and usually
comfortable with the language (much of which has been cut) and the role. The
strong supporting cast of Glenn Close (Gertrude), Alan Bates (Claudius), Paul
Scofield (Ghost), Helena Bonham Carter (Ophelia), Ian Holm (Polonius), and
Stephen Dillane (Horatio) handle the verse beautifully. Listen especially to
Scofield's Ghost speeches.
1990—New
York Shakespeare Festival production produced for video by Kimberly Myers,
directed by Kevin Kline with Kirk Browning; with Kline (Hamlet), Peter Francis
James (Horatio), Robert Murch (Ghost), Brian Murray (King), Dana Ivey (Queen),
Michael Cumpsty (Laertes), Josef Sommer (Polonius), Diane Verona (Ophelia), and
Clement Fowler (Player King). The modern dress and very drab production plays
like a melodrama, with considerable "over-the-top" acting. The design
and acting style may have worked better in the original stage production, but
did not translate well to video. Kline's Hamlet is very watery-eyed and often
ineffective. Exceptions include the Hamlet/Ophelia confrontation scene, which
has a wonderful interpretation, and Hamlet's relaxed, and yet commanding advice
to the players.
1948—Laurence
Olivier's black-and-white film, starring Olivier (Hamlet), Jean Simmons
(Ophelia), Eileen Herlie (Gertrude), Basil Syndey (Claudius), Felix Aylmer
(Polonius), Norman Wooland (Horatio), and Stanley Hollaway (First Gravedigger).
Effective performance in many ways, and a solid reading of the text. The
technique of soliloquies as voice-overs mixed with live dialogue doesn't quite
work, and some scenes are melodramatic. Watch especially Aylmer and Hollaway,
who offer classic interpretations of their characters.
Henry V
1989—Kenneth
Branagh's film, starring Branagh as the King. Superb cast and production. For
the American ear, some articulation problems in the first scene (unintelligible
whispering) and with Ian Holm's accent for the Welshman, Fluellen. Paul Scofield
is brilliant as the French king, as are Emma Thompson as his daughter, Brian
Blessed as Exeter, and Derek Jacobi as Chorus. Branagh's St. Crispan's speech
is perfection, as is Blessed's charge to the French king.
1944—Laurence
Olivier's film, starring Olivier as the King. The acting style may seem a
little rhetorical today, but the film still contains some brilliant work. The
opening scene is especially useful to students, as it is Olivier's version of
what it was like backstage at the Globe during Shakespeare's day.
Romeo and Juliet
1996—Baz
Luhrmann's high energy film, set in modern Los Angeles, with Leonardo DiCaprio
(Romeo), Claire Danes {Juliet), Dash Mihok (Benvolio), John Leguizamo (Tybalt),
Paul Sorvino (Capulet), Brian Dennehy (Montague), and Harold Perrineau, Jr.
(Mercutio). An original adaptation that works as the action film it is intended
to be. Effects, however, and a restless camera dominate what little language is
retained. The older actors do well, but many of the attractive young actors
needed much more vocal work and didn't get it. Some excellent examples of
reading lines with full stops, a technique (or lack of) that kills the rhythm
and the thought within the verse.
1968—Franco
Zeffirelli's wonderful film is almost a classic today. Excellent adaptation of
a play to film—with very little dialogue left. Fine language coaching of the
young actors, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. Beautiful visual production.
Continues with 20 other plays and studies…