Discovering Hamlet (1990)

Director: Mark Olshaker Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart Genres: Documentary, Indie-Arthouse Cinema, Performing Arts, Shakespeare, Drama, Television Origin: USA Certificate: E Languages: English Running Time: 208 min

synopsis

Shakespeare comes alive inside the Birmingham Rep Company in a truly fresh interpretation of a celebrated work. Join Sir Derek Jacobi, a Shakespearean actor who directs Kenneth Branagh as he rehearses this coveted role for the first time. See it played out as never before by articulate gifted actors who try to put their own spin of the interpretation of the Bard's most famous tale. Exciting and fast-paced the narrative takes you right through from the first morning of dress rehearsal to tension-filled opening night! Narrated by veteran Royal Shakespeare Company actor Patrick Stewart. For those who have seen Kenneth Branagh's film version of "Hamlet" from 1996, this documentary will be of interest since it shows the development of the stage production in which Branagh first learned the part, under the direction of (Sir) Derek Jacobi, in Birmingham in 1990. The actors learn their parts from scratch in four weeks for this production, which was staged in Edwardian costume. Although the fact is never stated explicitly, the performers are learning their lines from the green Arden Shakespeare paperback edition of the play (Routledge, London, 1989). Director Jacobi has some novel ideas for his staging, including having Hamlet deliver his soliloquy TO OPHELIA. Several of the faces in this production are familiar from other Kenneth Branagh films. David Parfitt, who only fills the unenviable role of Rosencrantz here, went on to become a producer and numbers last year's "Shakespeare in Love" among his credits. This one-hour film works well enough as a document, but it is unfortunately light on penetration and insight. We are not even informed of the ultimate success or failure of this staging in the eyes of critics at the time.