Kline as Hamlet

A recent Internet search led me to a DVD version of Hamlet starring Kevin Kline.  I figured that it was worth adding to my collection, even though admittedly I knew nothing about the production.  As I discovered later, it is a c.1990 film adaptation of the original New York Shakespeare Festival production staged at the Public Theater.  The film was produced by WNET for broadcast on PBS.  In addition to his lead role, Kevin Kline served as director.

The film is set on a stage, which gives it the feel of a live production and not that of a motion picture.  As such, it is a refreshing take--like being at the theatre without having to leave one's home.  The set is minimal, but the dark and gloom fit the play very well.  The costuming is modern, with Claudius noteworthy in royal military garb.

The acting is excellent.  Kevin Kline, although older than one might expect for the role, does a great job.  His portrayal is believable; it's easy to suspend disbelief to get it to work.  I did notice that he has wet eyes quite often.  He's not overly emotive, but rather the emotion fits the action.  The other actors all play their roles well and do not go over the top into histrionics.

The play has a running time of just under three hours.  The editing done in order to accommodate this time is interesting.  For the bulk of the play, I could not notice anything glaringly missing, just a line here or a line there.  The dumb-show was excised, but that is nothing out of the ordinary.  All of Hamlet's soliloquies were extant, including "How all occasions...."  Fortinbras was included in the play, a nice change of pace.

The editing became apparent in Act V.  One gravedigger was removed.  Hamlet's post "Alas poor Yorick..." remarks about bungholes were gone.  The scene with Osric was shortened; we're not told what his weapons are.  The duel was rather lame.  There was not much action, as the scene was blocked as a fencing match with foils only.

An interesting change was the softening of Laertes' role in the duel.  On the second pass, Laertes has Hamlet at bay and could run him through, but he pulls back and allows Hamlet to give him the second touch.  Then Laertes tries to substitute his unbated foil for another, but he does not have the chance before the next pass.  Has Laertes had a change of heart?  As Hamlet attempts to drink from the poisoned cup, Laertes prevents him from doing so, and then cuts him with the foil.  The weapons are exchanged and Laertes is wounded while grasping the blade.  Claudius is run through with the foil and forced to drink from the cup.  Fortinbras enters upon the scene and Hamlet is carried from the stage.

The final scene draws a parallel to an earlier scene.  After the ghost's first appearance to Hamlet, Hamlet falls backwards from a castle parapet and is caught by Horatio, et al.  The final scene mimics this, as Hamlet is carried off on the shoulders of soldiers.  Well done, methinks.

All in all, this is a very worthy addition to the Hamlet canon.  Kevin Kline does an admirable job as both star and director.  Bravo!

P.S.  Beware buying the DVD with this cover!  It's not a Region 1 product and does not play on standard U.S. equipment.