Four hours of Shakespearean angst filmed in Central Park—your patience WILL be tested.
Hamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark, and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.
Acting
Julie Harris's Ophelia goes full feral—none of that dainty flower business.
Production
Zero budget, maximum pretension—Shakespeare in the Park before it was cool.
Director
Joseph Papp
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Joseph Papp's first film production for his new Public Theater, shot guerrilla-style in Central Park before the Delacorte Theater even existed.
Howard Da Silva (Claudius) was blacklisted during McCarthyism; this role was part of his comeback. Life imitates art: political conspiracy, ruined reputation, clawing back.
US
