Hamlet

Synopsis: Feature film. A record of Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson and the Drury Lane Company’s production of the play. `... the film’s chief purpose is to preserve a performance and a production and makes few concessions to those ignorant of the play ... But Forbes-Robertson’s subtle, active, individual performance makes it clear why he was considered the greatest Hamlet of his time. Forbes-Robertson was 60 years old when he made the film’. [McKernan & Terris, Walking Shadows op cit].
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Film
Technical information: Black-and-white / Silent
Year of release: 1913
Duration: 64 mins; 5,800 feet

Notes: The BFI National Archive holds three viewing prints. 4,846ft (35mm), 1,924ft (16mm) and 5,344ft (35mm). The length given on release was 5,800ft.

A study extract (catalogued separately) may be hired from BFI Bookings.

4 video clips may be viewed on the bfi’s www.screenonline.org.uk
General: Filmed at Hepworth’s Walton-on-Thames studios and on location at Lulworth Cove, Dorset.
Reviews: Ball, Robert Hamilton. Shakespeare on Silent Film: A Strange Eventful History. London: George Allen and Unwin, 1968 (188-9, 349-51). McKernan, Luke and Olwen Terris. Walking Shadows: Shakespeare in the National Film and Television Archive. London: BFI, 1994 (p. 46).

SHAKESPEARE