---
product_id: 7994513
title: "Hamlet (2009) (BBC)"
price: "€ 60.57"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.pt/products/7994513-hamlet-2009-bbc
store_origin: PT
region: Portugal
---

# Hamlet (2009) (BBC)

**Price:** € 60.57
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- **What is this?** Hamlet (2009) (BBC)
- **How much does it cost?** € 60.57 with free shipping
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- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pt](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/7994513-hamlet-2009-bbc)

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## Description

It's to director Gregory Doran's incredible credit that his staging of that most familiar of English-language plays, Shakespeare's Hamlet , should be completely reinvigorated by a modern interpretation of the tragedy as a true psychological thriller. This Hamlet , filmed in 2009, presents the inner torment of the Danish prince Hamlet as a believable, relatable controlled explosion of emotions, each more unmanageable than the last. Besides the director, the casting is also brilliant, including the Scottish actor David Tennant ( Doctor Who ) as Hamlet and Patrick Stewart as Hamlet's uncle Claudius and the ghost of Hamlet's father--who, Hamlet becomes convinced, was killed by Claudius. The direction is brisk, and the acting is first rate. Tennant plays a heartbreaking Hamlet, whose paranoia and weird inner reflections are given a modern spin by the lush, shiny mirrorlike surfaces in the palace, as well as by small but excellent details, like a closed-circuit camera system. And Stewart is menacing but completely collected as Claudius, and unnerving as his brother's ghost. Other strong performances are contributed by Penny Downie as Hamlet's mother, Gertrude; Mariah Gale as Ophelia (who's not quite up to par with the rest of the cast, until she goes mad; then boy does she ever go mad); and Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius. But it's Tennant as the mad prince who is riveting in Hamlet . His "To be or not to be, that is the question" soliloquy--perhaps the best-known speech in English theater--is delivered in a hushed, anguished, all-too-believable manner--occasionally addressing the camera, which is fixed close on Tennant's face. The DVD also includes a must-see documentary on making Hamlet , which includes great interviews with director Doran, cast members and the art directors, set designers and others who give this Hamlet a fresh, polished sheen--while keeping the ages-old tragedy of Shakespeare's words and the explosion of needless death close to the original. The impact is unforgettable; this Hamlet is a terrific achievement. -- A.T. Hurley David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from Britain’s renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. No recent stage production in Britain has attracted the excitement and nearly unanimous critical praise as this Hamlet. Tennant's interpretation was recognized as defining the role fora generation, and Stewart’s complex Claudius won the Olivier award, Britain’s highest stage honor. In this specially-shot screen version, filmed on location rather than in the theater, Tennant and Stewart reprise their roles. Dynamic, exciting and contemporary, it breathes newlife into Shakespeare's greatest play.

Review: "Tennant" is the new "Hamlet" - As a huge fan of Shakespeare's work, I was thrilled to catch the last half-hour of The Royal Shakespeare Company's most recent production of "Hamlet" on Great Performances. Also, as a huge fan of British sci-fi television phenomenon "Dr. Who", the sight of none other than David Tennant caused an exponential increase in my excitement. To top it all off, David Tennant was to act beside Patrick Stuart, and his artistically ingenious interpretation of Claudius. I decided almost immediately that I needed to own this theatrical masterpiece. So, naturally, I asked my mother to order it for me. (I am borrowing her account to write this, actually). After receiving my own copy of this version of "Hamlet" on DVD, I did not hesitate to begin watching it from the beginning. Although it took three hours and two minutes to actually watch it all the way through, it was worth it. This version of "Hamlet" is without a doubt the best interpretation I have ever seen. I have read William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at least seven times, in its complete, unabridged form. However, the artistry and creativity with which this particular cast performed was utterly breathtaking. The flawless, witty, seamless delivery of classic lines gave me an unfamiliar feeling; this version of "Hamlet" almost made me feel as though I was watching a different play. The familiar quotes and story aside, I still internally shook with anticipation. I became so carried away in the brilliant acting, that I would hardly recognize my favorite play. That is not to say that one does not recognize "Hamlet" because of any change of script or detail from the original. The screenplay adhered almost exactly to William Shakespeare's intended version of this work. Considering the lack of changes in dialogue, the slight twist to the recognizable classic made for the perfect combination of poetic license and modesty. The faithfulness to the original play is remarkable, despite the few modern touches. The use of a gun, a switchblade, a hand-held video camera, and a security surveillance camera are the technologically advanced additions to this play. Although they are notable, they do not distract from the dialogue or the story unfolding. In fact, the surveillance cameras add the undetected, ominous impression of spying. In order to prevent spoilers, that is all I will say as far as the use of unconventional props. The set is comprised mostly of a black, mirrored room that is decorated accordingly for each scene. (This excludes the outdoor scenes, of course). This simple design is sophisticated and tasteful, and it gives the feeling of a traditional, theatrical setting. David Tennant deserves to be recognized in some way for his portrayal of Hamlet. As I previously stated, this story has such familiarity in the hearts of literature-junkies. Hamlet's character is one of the most contemplated characters in the history of modern English literature. Even after his journey, his true nature is unknown to the audience, and the characters surrounding him. Tennant is the quintessence of unpredictability as Hamlet. There are parts when he acts completely sane; normal, aside from the overwhelming grief. And, there are moments of a lovable, loopy sort of humorous madness. Then, of course, there are moments of raw fury. Of all the actors I have seen take on the role of Hamlet, David Tennant has been my favorite. His expressions, the emotions in his voice, the original and witty delivery of his dialogue, have redefined Hamlet's character. The next time I read "Hamlet", I will picture Tennant's delivery of Prince Hamlet's lines. Patrick Stuart also did a phenomenal job as the quintessence of evil, Hamlet's uncle Claudius. The cunning and malice with which he speaks, and the sophisticated delivery of his lines are uncannily chilling. Side-by-side, these two make the centerpiece for one of the greatest productions of "Hamlet" to date. I think it goes without saying that I definitely recommend this version of Hamlet. I recommend this particularly to those who wish to see a new, fresh, dramatically ingenious production of this classic. It is definitely worth the money, and worth your time to watch it. -Amelie Carter
Review: Wonderful! - I found the performances in this production incredible. Tennant's Hamlet is completely convincing. His grief, self-doubt, and moments of mania feel natural. Penny Downie's Gertrude seems vulnerable, an interesting interpretation. Oliver Ford Davies' Polonius is great, and the subtle interactions amongst Claudius, Gertrude, and Polonius are outstanding - these people have know each other for years. I also loved the dynamics amongst Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia. They seemed to actually be a family. In the end, however, I was blown away by Stewart's Claudius. It was one of the most chilling portrayals I have seen, all the more powerful because it is so controlled. Stewart's Claudius is not an hysterical king who loses it at the play within the play, but a man who is completely in control. He owns that moment and is a threat to Hamlet, not the other way around. He seemed completely capable of calmly killing his brother and smiling while doing so. In the end, he drinks the poison because the game is up. Would it have been stronger to have Hamlet force it down his throat (he's already poisoned from the sword, his death's a done deal)? Or was it stronger to end the game on his own? Claudius is the villain of the play and a despicable human being, but Stewart's performance is fantastic.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Contributor | Various |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 365 Reviews |
| Format | Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen |
| Genre | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Number Of Discs | 1 |

## Product Details

- **Genre:** Drama
- **Format:** Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- **Contributor:** Various
- **Language:** English
- **Number Of Discs:** 1

## Images

![Hamlet (2009) (BBC) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81V0IVrsrbL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Tennant" is the new "Hamlet"
*by L***R on May 6, 2010*

As a huge fan of Shakespeare's work, I was thrilled to catch the last half-hour of The Royal Shakespeare Company's most recent production of "Hamlet" on Great Performances. Also, as a huge fan of British sci-fi television phenomenon "Dr. Who", the sight of none other than David Tennant caused an exponential increase in my excitement. To top it all off, David Tennant was to act beside Patrick Stuart, and his artistically ingenious interpretation of Claudius. I decided almost immediately that I needed to own this theatrical masterpiece. So, naturally, I asked my mother to order it for me. (I am borrowing her account to write this, actually). After receiving my own copy of this version of "Hamlet" on DVD, I did not hesitate to begin watching it from the beginning. Although it took three hours and two minutes to actually watch it all the way through, it was worth it. This version of "Hamlet" is without a doubt the best interpretation I have ever seen. I have read William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at least seven times, in its complete, unabridged form. However, the artistry and creativity with which this particular cast performed was utterly breathtaking. The flawless, witty, seamless delivery of classic lines gave me an unfamiliar feeling; this version of "Hamlet" almost made me feel as though I was watching a different play. The familiar quotes and story aside, I still internally shook with anticipation. I became so carried away in the brilliant acting, that I would hardly recognize my favorite play. That is not to say that one does not recognize "Hamlet" because of any change of script or detail from the original. The screenplay adhered almost exactly to William Shakespeare's intended version of this work. Considering the lack of changes in dialogue, the slight twist to the recognizable classic made for the perfect combination of poetic license and modesty. The faithfulness to the original play is remarkable, despite the few modern touches. The use of a gun, a switchblade, a hand-held video camera, and a security surveillance camera are the technologically advanced additions to this play. Although they are notable, they do not distract from the dialogue or the story unfolding. In fact, the surveillance cameras add the undetected, ominous impression of spying. In order to prevent spoilers, that is all I will say as far as the use of unconventional props. The set is comprised mostly of a black, mirrored room that is decorated accordingly for each scene. (This excludes the outdoor scenes, of course). This simple design is sophisticated and tasteful, and it gives the feeling of a traditional, theatrical setting. David Tennant deserves to be recognized in some way for his portrayal of Hamlet. As I previously stated, this story has such familiarity in the hearts of literature-junkies. Hamlet's character is one of the most contemplated characters in the history of modern English literature. Even after his journey, his true nature is unknown to the audience, and the characters surrounding him. Tennant is the quintessence of unpredictability as Hamlet. There are parts when he acts completely sane; normal, aside from the overwhelming grief. And, there are moments of a lovable, loopy sort of humorous madness. Then, of course, there are moments of raw fury. Of all the actors I have seen take on the role of Hamlet, David Tennant has been my favorite. His expressions, the emotions in his voice, the original and witty delivery of his dialogue, have redefined Hamlet's character. The next time I read "Hamlet", I will picture Tennant's delivery of Prince Hamlet's lines. Patrick Stuart also did a phenomenal job as the quintessence of evil, Hamlet's uncle Claudius. The cunning and malice with which he speaks, and the sophisticated delivery of his lines are uncannily chilling. Side-by-side, these two make the centerpiece for one of the greatest productions of "Hamlet" to date. I think it goes without saying that I definitely recommend this version of Hamlet. I recommend this particularly to those who wish to see a new, fresh, dramatically ingenious production of this classic. It is definitely worth the money, and worth your time to watch it. -Amelie Carter

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wonderful!
*by S***E on May 28, 2010*

I found the performances in this production incredible. Tennant's Hamlet is completely convincing. His grief, self-doubt, and moments of mania feel natural. Penny Downie's Gertrude seems vulnerable, an interesting interpretation. Oliver Ford Davies' Polonius is great, and the subtle interactions amongst Claudius, Gertrude, and Polonius are outstanding - these people have know each other for years. I also loved the dynamics amongst Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia. They seemed to actually be a family. In the end, however, I was blown away by Stewart's Claudius. It was one of the most chilling portrayals I have seen, all the more powerful because it is so controlled. Stewart's Claudius is not an hysterical king who loses it at the play within the play, but a man who is completely in control. He owns that moment and is a threat to Hamlet, not the other way around. He seemed completely capable of calmly killing his brother and smiling while doing so. In the end, he drinks the poison because the game is up. Would it have been stronger to have Hamlet force it down his throat (he's already poisoned from the sword, his death's a done deal)? Or was it stronger to end the game on his own? Claudius is the villain of the play and a despicable human being, but Stewart's performance is fantastic.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I never understood Hamlet until...
*by R***E on January 19, 2013*

I think I've seen 4 different versions of Hamlet, and this version is so perfectly acted that I really could believe that the script came from the minds of the characters as they were struggling through the trials of the moment. The direction is flawless. David Tennant is every bit as handsome and eloquent as he is in his more popular roles and I would argue that his acting is even better. My wife flips out about the "synchronicity" of the supporting cast and the roles they have played. This version is meant to be a filmed presentation of a stage production, so most of the sets are minimal and stylized and it does not "look" like a big hollywood production, but most of the roughness of the stage is eliminated with a boost of cinematography and film-direction. The performance perfectly uses modern costume and set to highlight the dialogue and make the whole story more accessible to more casual viewers. Yes, it is Shakespear so the language is dense with expression and meaning but this time when I watched Hamlet, I really understood and connected to what was going on. This film is perfect for a night of drama in your home cinema, but if you are looking for a screening for a High School English class, this is the best option.

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*Last updated: 2026-03-21*