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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S KING LEAR & HAMLET
Mr Bongo Films is delighted to announce the release of two of William Shakespeare’s most famous and finest works on DVD, King Lear and Hamlet.
Directed by the renowned Grigori Kozintsev, these classic tragedies will be released on DVD on 17 October 2011.
‘The greatest King Lear I’ve seen in any language.’ – The Observer
King Lear of England (Jüri Järvet) retires from his throne of power. His decision to divide his kingdom among his elder daughters, over the warnings of his youngest Cordelia (Valentina Shendrikova), sparks off a chain of events that engulfs the entire countryside.
Lear’s final days are marked by dissension, internecine conflict and terrible violence. Humiliated and banished by his daughters, the King wanders the countryside like a beggar, accompanied by his Fool and a few faithful servants. Driven mad by despair, Lear’s megalomania consumes him to the point of blindness.
Title: King Lear Certificate: PG RRP: £12.99 Cat No: MRBDVD040
Language: Russian with English subtitles Running Time: 139 mins
‘Genuinely exciting epic sweep’ – Time Out
The surface of ceremonies and rituals celebrating the coronation of King Claudius (Mikhail Nazvanov) and his marriage to Hamlet’s mother (Elza Radzina) leaves the young prince indifferent. Hamlet’s (Innokenti Smoktunovsky) melancholic nature finds no relief from his brooding, not even in his courtship of Ophelia (Anastasiya Vertinskaya). However, a nocturnal visit from his father’s ghost changes everything. Claudius’ treachery having been brought to light, Hamlet conducts a quest to avenge his father’s death.
Title: Hamlet Certificate: U RRP: £12.99 Cat No: MRBDVDO4
Language: Russian with English subtitles Running Time: 140 mins
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.