This outstanding historical recording made in 1941 for radio is widely regarded as one of the finest Hamlet performances ever, and one of John Gielgud's greatest moments. Though he went on to record it for commercial release, nothing matched this recording in the BBC studios, made before the days of editing.
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"I took a writing class and one of the assignments was to read Hamlet. I dreaded the assignment. Once I started reading it, and with the help of my Kindle's built in dictionary, I was hook. Loved it. Not something I would have picked up on my own. I thanked the professor then, and do so now as well. In addition to this book, I was also assigned to write about Walt Whitman which I enjoyed greatly." — Manny (4 out of 5 stars)
"I took a writing class and one of the assignments was to read Hamlet. I dreaded the assignment. Once I started reading it, and with the help of my Kindle's built in dictionary, I was hook. Loved it. Not something I would have picked up on my own. I thanked the professor then, and do so now as well. In addition to this book, I was also assigned to write about Walt Whitman which I enjoyed greatly."
" Steven Grant and Tom Mandrake have crafted here what is almost a perfect artistic adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic play. What prevented it from being absolutely perfect was page number limit of this format. Would that Grant and Mandrake could revisit this story without a page limit and do an unedited adaptation of my favorite Shakespeare play. Whenever I reread the play itself, now, I will picture Mandrake's illustrations of Hamlet and his father. "
" i hated it.. to long to complicated "
" Shakespeare, as always: a marvel. "
" Only Shakespeare I ever enjoyed (once I decoded it, of course). Hamlet's is a story we are all able to relate to: not being able to get anything done. "
" What do you do when you are a man of thought and learning is asked to commit an act against your nature? "
" The PBS film with Patrick Stewart is outstanding. Available to watch for free whenever you want. "
" This has been my favorite book since last year and I had the pleasure to read if again for class. The complexity of the characters and the beautiful language and emotion depicted throughout the play make it a book everyone has to read. "
" One of my favorite books, and Hamlet, on of my favorite characters. "
" shakespeare and his tragedies..nuff said. "
" I just wish that everyone didn't have to die, but so it goes with Shakespeare tragedies. Loved the soliloquies and the beautiful writing throughout. Really, Shakespeare was a genius. "
" Shakespeare. Need I say more? "
" great dialogues, stupid ending .. I just hate how it ends ! "
" What can you say about Will that hasn't been said a thousand times. The master of his craft, it is amply proved by Hamlet. The recent rendition in film by Kenneth Branagh is stunning and actually gives more to the story rather than takes from it. "
" It's Hamlet. By Shakespeare. 'Nuff said. "
" I can't... maybe Shakespeare is just not for me "
" Anther Shakerspeare tragedy that is tough to follow but worth the read. "
" Awesome stuff - first exposed to in the movie "The Imposters" by Stanley Tucci, long ago, then I saw Hamlet performed on Alcatraz island which prompted me to go though the actual text "
" Flawless. There's nothing I can say about this that hasn't been said for more eloquently, a hundred times before. But it's a prefect example of why Shakespeare is still studied, performed, and read all over the world today, nigh on 500 years after his death. A real heart of darkness. "
" I loved reading this book back in high school. Great storyline too. "
" I am currently writing an essay about Hamlet for AP English so I wanted to rate this before I became disenchanted with it. Shakespeare is incredible and I hope to read more of his works, I haven't read anything by him since "Romeo & Juliet" in 9th grade. "
" You can't see/read this play enough. "
" <sub> while i do find shakespear engaging, that is once the teacher translates of course (god bless sparknotes). However i find it rushed, and lengthy. I much preferred Othello. "
" This edition is really great for teaching Hamlet. "
" Perhaps my favorite Shakespeare play. The subject of many papers, Hamlet is one of the most complex characters in all of literature. He is tragic, funny, and lovable. The characters, plot, and writing are all magnificent. "
" not nearly as good as Macbeth. i was disappointed with it after all the hipe ive heard. "
" INSECT what are the school thinking? "
" Another of the few overhyped plays of Shakespeare. Didn't really live up to the hype, but overall, it was a satisfactory read. Good to finally understand the much referenced "To be" speech. "
" The only part of this play that I really don't like is when Polonius rambles on and on to Laertes about how he should act.. I'm ashamed to say I usually skip it, as well as when Laertes talks to Ophelia about Hamlet.. that entire thing actually.OH I'M SO LAZY. "
" Shakespearean perfection... Arguably the greatest play of all time... Get it Bill! "
" This play was the entire focus of my senior year A.P. Lit class. "
" This play was a great read and I only wish I could have seen this performed. Reading Hamlet's third soliloquy for the first time also made me fully analyze the depression and anxiety behind the words which is often misinterpreted as a simple question and answer session with himself. "
" A play within a play is the thing. Love it. We read this one in high school. Would love to see this one on the stage. "
" I really thought that this was just ok, Shakespeare is amazing and all but I'm not much of a Tragedy girl. Comedies are more my style. :) "
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan and early Jacobean period, is the most widely known author in all of English literature and often considered the greatest. He was an active member of a theater company for at least twenty years, during which time he wrote many great plays. Plays were not prized as literature at the time and Shakespeare was not widely read until the middle of the eighteenth century, when a great upsurge of interest in his works began that continues today.
Sir John Gielgud (1904–2000) is arguably the greatest Shakespearean actor of the twentieth century and one of the best overall actors of his generation. His theatrical career spanned more than sixty years, beginning with a role in the London production of The Constant Nymph and ending with Sir Sydney Cockerell: The Best of Friends in 1988. His film career spanned more than seventy years and saw him in such roles as the Pope in Elizabeth, Priam in Hamlet, Professor of Sunlight in Gulliver’s Travels, and Master of Trinity in Chariots of Fire.
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