this production of hamlet and prince of denmark be by far the best that i have see . although it may not have the production value of some of the more recent adaptation and it do have the most important element represent sir derek jacobi a hamlet . jacobi portrayal of the disturbed prince be multi layered and rivet . his display of emotion swing from hatred to sorrow and love to vengefulness and everywhere else on the map and but without seem force or over the top . in fact and some of the more powerful sequence occur when he underplay them and with stillness and soft speech and thoughtful expression . a to whether or not he interpret hamlet a mad or sane . well and you should decide for yourselves while i change my mind more than once . at one point it seem he have think himself sane and merely play at madness and but suspect that he be actually mad after all . a revelation to himself and capture beautifully . have perform the part of hamlet on stage more time than any other actor in history and jacobi affinity for the role then come as little surprise . a for the production itself and it be present a a kind of filmed copy of the stage play and with little special effect or fancy camera work and minimal set and no musical accompaniment to speak of . this production rely on the act prowess of the cast and and the word of shakespeare and to evoke the emotion and interest of it audience . and it work . the other player be top notch as well and particularly patrick stewart claudius and claire bloom gertrude . together the cast present a seamless ensemble . the last ( but far from least ) element that make this production stand out be the play itself . here it be present in it entirety and a rarity on film . but and oddly enough and i never notice the time . i be too busy get catch up in the story . i suspect that you will and too .