Customer Reviews

Understanding Shakespeare: Hamlet [VHS]

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The series, Understanding Shakespeare, which presents four of Shakespeare's tragedies in a two-hour each video package, is meant to help students understand the language, the character's motivations, the poetry of the plays, the sub-plots, and so forth. A panel of Shakespearean scholars are intercut with the main scenes of Hamlet, and they provide insight and commentary on a scene-by-scene basis. The fine young actor who plays Hamlet, Brad Yates, does an excellent job. During production no scene had to be re-done for any failure on Mr. Yates' part. He had all his lines memorized perfectly. It was an amazing feat! Other fine performances were turned in by Eva Loseth, whose Ophelia was touching and beautiful, and Lowell Noel who provides a bright spot in the graveyard scene. He's the cockney grave digger. Dave Huber did an excellent job playing two roles - Hamlet's friend, Horatio, and the spokesperson, who steps out of character and comes forward to the camera to explain what's going on from time to time. And, oh yes, we should make mention of the fine actor who plays Mr. Shakespeare himself at the beginning of the video, Matthew Faison. He's a consummate professional who has a remarkable range and many character voices at his command. Crib notes on video. It's an enjoyable way to learn more about one of Shakespeare's most famous characters, Hamlet.