Hamlet (1969 film)

Hamlet is a 1969 British tragedy period drama film. It is a film adaptation of Shakespeare's play Hamlet, starring Nicol Williamson as Prince Hamlet. It was directed by Tony Richardson and based on his own stage production at the Roundhouse theatre in London. The film also stars Anthony Hopkins as King Claudius, Judy Parfitt as Queen Gertrude, Marianne Faithfull as Ophelia, Mark Dignam as Polonius, Gordon Jackson as Horatio, and Michael Pennington as Laertes.

Cast

 * Nicol Williamson as Hamlet
 * Judy Parfitt as Gertrude
 * Anthony Hopkins as Claudius
 * Marianne Faithfull as Ophelia
 * Mark Dignam as Polonius
 * Michael Pennington as Laertes
 * Gordon Jackson as Horatio
 * Ben Aris as Rosencrantz
 * Clive Graham as Guildenstern
 * Peter Gale as Osric
 * Roger Livesey as First Player / Gravedigger
 * John J. Carney as Player King (as John Carney)
 * Richard Everett as Player Queen
 * Robin Chadwick as Francisco
 * Ian Collier as Priest
 * Michael Elphick as Captain
 * David Griffith as Messenger (as Mark Griffith)
 * Anjelica Huston as Court Lady
 * Bill Jarvis as Courtier
 * Roger Lloyd Pack as Reynaldo (as Roger Lloyd-Pack)
 * John Railton as 1st Sailor
 * John Trenaman as Barnardo
 * Jennifer Tudor as Court lady

Production
The film, a departure from big-budget Hollywood renditions of classics, was made with a small budget and a very minimalist set, consisting of Renaissance fixtures and costumes in a dark, shadowed space. A brick tunnel is used for the scenes on the battlements. The Ghost of Hamlet's father is represented only by a light shining on the observers. The film places much emphasis on the sexual aspects of the play, to the point of strongly implying an incestuous relationship between Laertes and Ophelia. Williamson was only one year younger than Parfitt, who played his mother, and was one year older than Hopkins, who played his uncle.

Home media
Hamlet was released to DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on 3 July 2012 via the Choice Collection DVD-on-demand setup from Amazon.