A Soviet Hamlet

Grigori Kozintsev's 1964 Hamlet complete with its Shostakovich score is proof that good art can be forthcoming in a totalitarian state. That doesn't make totalitarianism acceptable but it does say something about the power of good storytelling. As with Kurosawa's Throne of Blood (a brilliant Japanese Macbeth, which the observant of you will remember being part of my filmic advent calendar) there is a distinct argument that black and white cinematography adds rather than detracts.

The translation used for the film was Pasternak's, so you might say that some pretty talented types worked on this stark and pacy film adaptation. I was particularly taken by the performance of Anistaysia Vertinskaya as the doomed Ophelia.

The film is currently available on BBC iPlayer as part of the general Shakespeare celebrations. Definitely worth a gander. 7/10.