Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet

Buy This Item Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet by Facets  Available from Amazon  $26.99  on 8-31-2008     Considered by many the finest screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest work, Grigori Kozintsev’s HAMLET is a spare, haunting interpretation based on a translation by novelist Boris Pasternak. The malevolence afoot in the state of Denmark is magnificently captured by the foreboding black and white cinematography and the dark, dramatic score by composer Dmitri Shostakovich. In addition, acclaimed Russian actors Innokenti Smoktunovsky and Anastasia Vertinskaya offer stellar, award-winning performances. Kozintsev, a peer of Eisenstein’s who worked well into the 1960s, was a master of cinematic technique who finally achieved recognition at the end of his career for his stunning interpretations of Shakespeare. Leading film historian Richard Dyer wrote in the Boston Globe: "Paradoxically, the two most powerful films of Shakespeare plays [HAMLET and KING LEAR] were made not in Great Britain but in the Soviet Union." Reader Reviews I thought Smoktunovksy's performance as Hamlet was good. For the most part the film was really gripping and entertaining. Its interesting reading about the search for the perfect Hamlet, i.e. an actor as brilliant and gifted as the late Michael Chekhov, prior to the filming of the movie. Its a shame that Michael Chekhov's performance's on the stage were never filmed. .. at least thats what I think. If anyone knows otherwise, send me and email. I'd love to discuss it.

Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet Available from Amazon Price: $26.99 Updated on 8-31-2008.

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