Olivier's Hamlet film (1948): To Be Or Not To Be soliloquy
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- Опубліковано 25 січ 2010
- Laurence Olivier's wonderful 1948 film, with music by Sir William Walton. The entire film may be downloaded from movieberry.com (membership fees apply)
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Olivier's version really inspired me to get into Hamlet when we studied it at school this year. His performance brings out so much of the play, all the anguish and confusion; he was truly a great actor who understood his material.
Words that are flat or don't make sense on the page sing when spoken.
@@ktkee7161 That's true. I noticed that when I was watching this movie.
@@ktkee7161 They can.
Said Romeo to Juliet, "I'll write a poem to thee. What kind of pencil should I use? 2B or not 2B?" - Spike Milligan
😅😂😂😂
Cute!
Alright that was pretty good lmao
I memorised this when I was 10 and forty years later can still remember every word.
Another Olivier Shakespeare soliloquy that's fun to learn and recite is the one that opens his Richard III: ua-cam.com/video/-5JF9Gq5tL4/v-deo.html
That's scary 😳
I'm impressed
KT…It is a wonderful text, isn’t it? And one well worth remembering. Great that you still have it in memory. I had to watch it to refresh myself, but I’ve still got most of it in my head. It’s a classic scene, isn’t it?
I agree with you. People tend to forget a lot of modern films were based on Shakespeare's plays. His work is timeless because the his insight on human behaviour and the politics that go with it still apply today.
Most of how Most write is rooted in Shakespeare. Tech, news, treaties... everything
The Lion King is basically Hamlet with Lions.
This is the definitive performance of the soliloquy. He's pondering it and then realises, for many reasons, he shouldn't. It's quiet, thoughtful and sad, which I think is what Willie The Shake intended. Olivier was and still is unsurpassed.
Unsurpassed, really? Check Benedict Cumberbatch's take, he's the acting ruler of this soliloquy now ;)
haha you must be kidding, this comes across almost as satire it's so bad, so clueless, I don't think he had any idea what the words he was repeating meant
I don't think you can ever have a definitive performance ...cos every year new actors come along and perform it and add their own unique interpretation of it...I guess the only definitive interpretation is the one officially rubber stamped by the bard himself...unfortunately thats gonna be a bit tricky to get ..so we just have to go with the one we like the best
@@petrudiaconu1565 I love Benedict Cumberbatch in movies and series, but if you think he did this soliloquy well you missed the point of it entirely. He overacts and goes into full despair, while the entire text is about how you start convinced and then quietly and cowardly turns back.
This text is about realizing what he perceives as self-control is just survival instinct rationalized. Even the words are carefully chosen: "Must give us pause", "there's the respect", "enterprises of great pith and moment (...) lose the name of action".
Benedict's take would have worked in an Edgar Allan Poe's text where the anxiety usually takes over the characters and leads them to a state of panic or illogical perception. For this soliloquy, he's missing the point entirely. He's not just a lot worse than Olivier who basically nails down every line, but he's also doing a bad job of understanding the text for what it is.
I think Burton in 1964 was better.
Nobody does Hamlet better than Sir Laurence Olivier. He was born to play the part. Brilliant performance.
You are right on target there, Global. What an actor. This has
to be THE definitive performance. Cheers to you…JT
Personally, this viewer prefers the stage presentation of Hamlet by Richard Burton.
Richard did not portray him specifically as a Dane - which Olivier does...however he better animates the conflicting passions within a powerful man.
A charismatic and atmospheric performance from Laurence Olivier.
Shakespeare was a perfect playwright and Olivier was a perfect actor.
With a combination like that you can't go wrong!
"To be or not to be.......... Not to be." - Arnold Swartzenegger, Last Action Hero
nobody gonna kiss this sweet Prince goodnight.
Hahah I was actually expecting to hear “not to be” for a second 🤦🏻♂️
Indeed, my first thought upon seeing this. Now, I've got to watch _that_ movie.
Germany's finest interpretation of Shakespeare?
I could listen Laurence Oliver talk all day...his voice is everything ♡
His voice is brilliant in the World at War
@@tonynewett1159 the poem he recites towards the end of episode 11: Red Star. Incredible.
He can even make a camera seem like God's gift: ua-cam.com/video/eDB9Ty3WPBc/v-deo.html
SUPERB use of the knife, and I also like that some are spoken lines, and some are thoughts. Just a great rendition.
I LOVE LARRY!!!!
Olivier was the greatest actor of his generation.
Of ANY generation!
This was the only thing I was able to use that actually helped me study the soliloquy for my test. I was actually able to recite the entire thing. He does this brilliantly and is truly inspiring.
Older movies always have an interesting quality of the silence being loud when the music ends that I think a lot of modern movies lack. The atmosphere always feels stronger in these movies to me
Brilliant performance by Mr Olivier, whose rendition of Hamlet's soliloquay accurately states the pathos and dilema of existing ...............
No one could do this better in ages. Simply the best
The English language is a thing of beauty.
My favorite version all time!!! A huge respect and love to Sir Laurence Olivier 💜
WITHOUT QUESTION, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN LAWRENCE OLIVIER IS THE BEST ACTOR EVER!
To like or dislike, that is the question.
Grande Laurence Olivier! Che classe! Attore indimenticabile! Immenso William Shakespeare! ;-)
Almost perfect. What a talent!
Every time I read this play(it's one of my faves), I hear Mr. Olivier's voice when I get to Hamlet's lines. He will always be the best Hamlet to me.
Angry dragon 22. Deffo!
Agree!
Simply riveting.
the best hamlet version on screen
My goodness he was a handsome man, with a powerful voice and amazing charisma. Movie stars like him are just all too rare these days.
rockfan96channel I agree!!
@Blue Too He was one of the greatest actors who ever lived.
there will never be anyone that can match this man. he was simply the very best,
Olivier taught Brando iambic pentameter and how to understand the dialogue for Brando's role in Julius Caesar
No, that's not quite true. It was John Gielgud, who was also on that film. Gielgud was a magnificent, possibly better, performer of the spoken word by William Shakespeare; but most of his best performances were never captured on film.
@@andrewhawkins2066 Quite true. Also Gielgud actually wanted Brando to do more Shakespeare (I forget the play) after Caesar had wrapped.
@@urbanapache2 Reportedly the play was Hamlet. And Brando said he'd rather go surfing and snorkeling. At least that's how I heard it.
Still a wonderful film with electrifying performances.
What a brilliant performance. it wrings my heart
Magnifique ! imprecriptible.
The opening shot with spinning stairs and music was great.
Oh how empty and shallow life has become
Shakespeares language is so lyrical it encapsulates all feeling and thought with serenity ❤
We're talking of times when moral purity was the norm, and people did not live exactly for the flesh only, which means, the humans were sensible to the movements of the spirit, which they wouldn't be if they were not of those dispositions.....In such a case, the horizon widens, and the soul creates in the Beauty of its Pure Feelings, even if sometimes temptation arises and the soul enters trial and tempest, It will still be measuring itself under the Right Judgement....So, in this freedom it breathes, and creates, and everything comes of Perfection..... ✝️
@uneqejam basically the same understanding though you eloquently described it more than my succinct impression
Thank you beautifully written ❤️
Rockin' the yoga pants.
This is the best version for me. He shows the real wish for death to avoid life, as well as the unresolvable suspicion of existence, which two later raise the hesitation and anxiety for him. This is exactly how one felt in real life.
I am talking about his voice. I am not a fan of last century's British movie either.
This is an awesome representation of the 3rd. I like how he really shows that he is excited and wants to kill himself at first. To end all the shit he's been dealing with and then he becomes depressed because like everything else in life, his mind prevents him from quick action--he talks himself out of it, and it pisses him off. This actor showed these emotions plainly, too many times this soliloquy is portrayed as if hammy dreads the "bodkin" at first and is triumphant when he turns it down
Stunning interpretation!
I am amazed to find this rendition of the soliloquy so inauthentic... as if it were the very famous actor listening to himself and admiring his looks and his voice, and not the profound existential reflection which is forever held for us in Shakespeare's work.
this soliloquy explains so much about Hamlet in the play! it also helped in my presentation for english!
The dude wasn't even opening his mouth, and STILL he does perfect!
( 1 )
"To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; "
Olivier's Hamlet film (1948) The Best !
Ahmed Nasreldeen I second that. Indeed
آیا منظور شما تبادل، به اشتراک گذاشتن ایده؟
No. By Kozintsev "Hamlet" (1964) with Smoktunovsky at main role -- greatest!
wat a excellent performance//
I only asked you if you wanted fries with your burger, sir.
😂😂😂😂😂
There are many creative interpretations of this soliloquy, however Sir Laurence’s version is the golden standard when it comes to the musicality of the poetic language. Not that he necessarily has to be the golden standard of how the soliloquy ought to be performed. But if you want to hear what Shakespeare ought to sound like in terms of the language, this is probably the closest to it.
Here Olivier makes Hamlet seem a bewildered and overgrown child.
Soft you now! The fair Ophelia, nymph in thy orisons. Be all my sins remembered!
One of my all time favourite actors.
this is the best ever
What a champion!
I forwarded this to a dear friend, giving extensive commentary. In hindsight, I realize only had to say three words: “Shakespeare, Hamlet, Olivier.”
Wow! This might be the best version I've seen yet! I am watching different versions for my research report. I love Tennant's intense emotion, as well as Cumberbatch's. I can't figure out what's going on with Branagh: he seems thoughtful and almost happy during this speech. I really like this Olivier version -- it captures Hamlet's weariness of living so well. Gibson's performance doesn't really move me at all, and Ethan Hawke's is just a dull monotone. Burton is good: at first it seemed a bit rushed, but then you can see he's portryaing Hamlet's anger and self-loathing. I really like Christopher Plummer's take on it -- just a good, solid job. Lester also makes a really good performance -- he really sells the weariness.
Agree that Burton is most outstanding -
His performance, however, does not specifically express the DANISH mode of being as Olivier focused upon - which is the only reason why Olivier presents a better DANISH Hamlet.
One of the best. He makes Shakespeare bearable. It's the greatest compliment I can pay him.
dude, you don't get it. I used to be like that til I read King Lear and Hamlet. The symbols, themes, and motifs are actually so amazingly educational about all of life. Real cool stuff
Greatest actor
man what a good screenwriter
Meh, it's just a bunch of cliches strung together...
The great original. /\ Take a bow
this is the best hamlet
Many Shakespeare purists like to compare Olivier and Branagh, but I’ve never seen it that way. Olivier may, (or may not), be the “gold standard” when portraying Shakespeare on film, but I will forever be grateful to Branagh for inspiring another generation of people to have a profound appreciation for The Bard. That’s always a bonus in my opinion.
Ha,ha,ha!.!.I've always thought the same!.But Olivier still is the best actor ever.And he played this immortal character like nobody else did.In my opinion,of course.
Beautiful
Hypnotic voice!!!
4th and 5th Forms were required to watch this Film...(1953)..Suddenly I was connected to our History..
Dicen que Brando fué el más grande, pero para mí el mejor Olivier es el más grande actor de la historia del cine, y no soy la única persona que lo piensa.
Many people disregard this performance as petty, precious. But I believe that it's appropriate for the role. Hamlet's contemplation of suicide is essentially decadent and death obsessed. It's in reality a very pitiful, immature view of life.
Cuz he's young
Really good monologue. I'm using this as an example for my project on monologues in Language Arts Class.
yes I believe "really good" is what people call it...or something like that...
Really good? God help us - I hope that's some kind of irony I'm just not getting....
Paul Glitch I think understatement is the word you're looking for.
I think the oldest thing in old movies has always been the music. It is baffling, utterly baffling.
ɷɷɷɷ I Haveee Watchedddd This Moviee Leakeddd Versionnnn Heree : - t.co/SjZpZXw5gt
How so?
Did he keep his knife for the role of Szell in Marathon Man ?
Laurence, you're beautiful.
***** Hahah! excellent ! that's probably because I comment every video I watch.
The best among Shakespeare's Soliloquies.
" stay thy hand fair prince."
" who says I am fair."
This version is the best one
The greatest.
Phil.
Sir William Walton's score: unsurpassed! Please post the woeful finale' Death March? Thanks a million!
Bravo!
@LeCommedieDellArte
( 2 )
"To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there's the respect That makes calamity of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law's delay, "
Better than what gets produced today
@LeCommedieDellArte
( 5 )
"And enterprises of great pith and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action."
wow. this is good.
Wow.
I agree with Holden, the guy is not depressed enough 🤔
(The catcher in the rye brought me here)
To have the choice live or not is a luxury
contumely!
Dear, dear, old Larry Olivier...
I agree with you!!
I love the pace of this, gives the viewer chance to take it in. But how about dropping the knife on 'lose the name of action' surely an apt time for it?
that right ,,, he loses the name of action , as he loses the battle and dies ,,,, that was a sign ,,, this movie is the best of all .... I don't remember how many times I have seen it ... yet I long for it ...
"To be, or not to be...ANNIHILATED!!!" Fairly Odd Parents :D
Olivier portrays the man from Denmark credibly. He captures the essence of the Dane of that era.
I believe the best way to perform it is to really think about the meaning of the monologue and see if you ever felt that way (forget big academic interpretations for a while) and try to remember how did you react in those occasions. I know, it sounds like a cheesy answer, but it worked for me (at least in other kind of roles)
perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub
yes it does.
can't help but think of the seventh seal
In Dannish 🇩🇰
At være, eller ikke at være, det er spørgsmålet.
Who was sent here by an English teacher?
Me ✋️
“Only the unintelligent mind has free will”... It doesn't mean that you were stupid in the first place, it's means that you are intelligent enough to know that there is plenty left to learn.
No, it means that as you are more intelligent, your options are narrowed because there is only one correct path. By knowing the correct path, you no longer have any other path to take. Hamlet knows the path that he must take (murdering Claudius), but he cannot bring himself to do it.
He says this like a Great actor performing Shakespeare instead of a troubled teenager, which is what Hamlet was.
Hamlet was 30 years old in the original play.
This and "I Have No Son!" in the 1980 version of The Jazz Singer are some of his finest work.
My point exactly!
Still stands as it is.
And talk about standing the test of time. Written like 60 years ago!
Kudos.
💖💐💐
Not only was he great here, he was smokin' hot as well! :D