Helen Mirren's First Role as Queen, 1977
Yorick | 14.03.2007 13:58 | Culture
Helen Mirren stars as Queen Gertrude. The most striking feature of the film is that Hamlet is played by twin actors, thus emphasising the possible question of our heros split personality. Almost as striking is the high content of toplessness, sadism and homoeroticism. The central scene in this version is not the graveyard, nor the killing of Polonious, nor indeed the conventional finale, but the Play Within, (The Murder of Gonzago). If you could imagine Alesiter Crowley directing this on a no-budget film set, then you'll have some idea of the fun awaiting you, dear viewer !
Seriously, its a fascinating watch (and brief, at only just over an hour). Proof positive that Shakespeare in the right hands continues to be supremely relevant.
Yorick
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Alas poor Shakespeare
15.03.2007 16:38
Remember what was said about Milton:
" You should be living at this hour. England has need of thee, For we are selfish men. O, raise us up, return to us again, and give us honour, courage, wisdom, power."
The same applies to Shakespeare; he is waiting for more profound times, when we have grown tired of the interminable 'celeb' scene and surveillance entertainment, and seek out to change things once again, as in 1968 etc.
Ulin Deblueix