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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