The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.0293  Wednesday, 7 February 2001

[1]     From:   Mike Jensen <
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        Date:   Tuesday, 06 Feb 2001 10:29:27 -0800
        Subj:   SHK 12.0277 Re: Russian Hamlet

[2]     From:   Nick Jones <
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        Date:   Tuesday, 06 Feb 2001 14:21:08 -0500
        Subj:   Re: SHK 12.0277 Re: Russian Hamlet

[3]     From:   David Wilson-Okamura <
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        Date:   Wednesday, 07 Feb 2001 09:31:50 -0600
        Subj:   Re: Russian Hamlet


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Mike Jensen <
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Date:           Tuesday, 06 Feb 2001 10:29:27 -0800
Subject: Re: Russian Hamlet
Comment:        SHK 12.0277 Re: Russian Hamlet

Andy White and I both like Kozintsev's film version of *Hamlet,* but we
interpret one thing differently.

>Agreed, it is one of the most stunning film interpretations of
>Shakespeare I've ever seen, and to think it was done under Brezhnev's
>nose still amazes me -- how could he show the 'worker's paradise' for
>the hell it really was, and get away with it?

Was Brezhnev Premiere in 1964?

My take is that we are not seeing the *worker's paradise* of the Soviet
Union, but conditions in Denmark under a corrupt monarchy.  I should
think the authorities would like that.

Actually, I don't remember major emphasis on the workers in *Hamlet.*
Where that really came through for me was Kozintsev's other
Shakespearean film, *King Lear.*  In this case, I take the peasants to
be English, not Soviet.

Best,
Mike Jensen

[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Nick Jones <
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Date:           Tuesday, 06 Feb 2001 14:21:08 -0500
Subject: 12.0277 Re: Russian Hamlet
Comment:        Re: SHK 12.0277 Re: Russian Hamlet

I forgot to add about the Russian Hamlet that I rented it in 16mm.
format a couple of years ago from Corinth Films (800-221-4720).

Among many wonderful moments in the film is Hamlet's "O that this too
too sullied flesh...", which he delivers in voice-over while walking in
a lobby of courtiers, nodding to some, ignoring others.  The political
and social dynamics of hypocritical ritual frame his bitter silent
reflections powerfully.  I wish I understood Russian to know what
Pasternak has done with the language.

Nick Jones

[3]-------------------------------------------------------------
From:           David Wilson-Okamura <
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Date:           Wednesday, 07 Feb 2001 09:31:50 -0600
Subject:        Re: Russian Hamlet

>Last summer I bought Kozintsev's 'Hamlet' on video (for $10, I believe)
>from a Russian distributor nambed RBC.  Only problem is, there are no
>English subtitles!  Still, the images and sounds are great.

The URL, for those (like me) who don't read Russian, is

        http://www.rbcmp3.com/store/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3004&sku=7403

As of this morning, the price was still $10 (with free shipping in the
US).

Incidentally, if you're buying videos, give http://www.mysimon.com a
try.  It didn't find this one, but it find the best _price_ on a number
of other films.