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John Gielgud's Hamlet (Dramatised)

By: William Shakespeare
Narrated by: John Gielgud
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Summary

This outstanding historical recording made in 1941 for radio is widely regarded as one of the finest Hamlet performances ever, and one of John Gielgud's greatest moments. Though he went on to record it for commercial release, nothing matched this recording in the BBC studios, made before the days of editing.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
Public Domain (P)2006 Naxos AudioBooks
Classics Shakespeare Shakespeare Dramatised
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Editor reviews

Why we think it's Essential: In considering which Shakespeare recording was most essential, we found ourselves caught between Gielgud's Hamlet and Richard Burton's MacBeth (which, ironically, was directed by Gielgud). In the end, we chose Gielgud because, as a radio production (unlike Burton's stage performance) it was meant for the ear, not the eye. As a result, Gielgud delivers what may be the best Hamlet we've ever heard. — Steve Feldberg

Critic reviews

"There are many recordings of Shakespeare's most famous play, but now you can enjoy the most legendary of all - the live 1948 broadcast of John Gielgud's Hamlet. It remains utterly compelling, crystal clear, totally absorbing, with a classic quality that reflects the utter rightness of the interpretation. There is a delightful unscripted moment in Act V when Esme Percy (playing Osric) can be fainly heard calling admiringly "Oh! Oh! He's enchanting," during a brief Gieldgud pause." Christina Hardyment, The Times

What listeners say about John Gielgud's Hamlet (Dramatised)

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Unsurpassible!

I greatly enjoyed this performance of one of the greatest plays in the English language.

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Music to the Ear

As a piece of theatrical history, this is a wonderful record of a seminal production.
It moves at a stately pace, but I revelled in the poetry of the language, so well spoken by all the cast. It is a record of a different age. I loved it.

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