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Helen Mirren's First Role as Queen, 1977

Yorick | 14.03.2007 13:58 | Culture

Helen Mirren has achieved recent prominence (and controversy in the minds of some) for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. It is therefore interesting to compare this to a film in which she appeared some 30 years ago.

This was an highly original version of Hamlet, directed by Celestino Coronado, although some would say more of a shortened re-interpretation than a literal performance.
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

I was thinking about this particular piece too. Seems its been almost forgotten, although as far as I know , Her Majesty (Lady Mirren, that is !) hasnt disowned it. It is rather good, VERY good in fact, although your slightly mischevious review makes it sound like a cliche 'nutcase' production ! There are actually many worse versions of Shakespeare , Hamlet or otherwise, and interestingly these are of all the main streams of interpretation Traditional, Modern, and Experimental). I sat through an interminable film production by K .B. which took all sorts of liberties with historical features and I frankly by the end felt as confused as anyone, even though I knew the whole play to begin with!
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