Hamlet "To be or not to be" - Richard Burton (1964)

Richard Burton's "Hamlet", directed by John Gielgud, produced by Alexander H. Cohen. Filmed live on Broadway in 1964 and released to theaters in Electronovision. It was the longest running "Hamlet" in Broadway history. Act 3, Scene 1. Richard Burton and Linda Marsh

[@stevevandien310]

At its best, Burton's voice was as a serrated sword wrapped in black silk, buttressed by a fine poet's sensitivity to and love of the magnificent English language.

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

What he said.

[@HerAeolianHarp]

Nice turn of phrase! So well said.

[@colleencupido5125]

I have a ton of recorded poetry spoken by the English acting greats of the 20th century, and I think Burton's voice was the absolute best

[@colleencupido5125]

For all you Richard Burton fans out there who might not be aware: Burton recorded poetry by John Donne (I think his best performance), also Thomas Hardy, War poet Wilfred Owen, Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Shakespeare's poem The Rape of Lucrece. He also recorded Coriolanus for Caedmon and the audio-only 4 LP set of John Gielgud's production of Hamlet. Also online there's a 50 minute abridgement of Henry V. I hope this helps someone out there, and you'd be doing me a big favor to tell something I missed and don't know about! :)

[@chtulubarnes9045]

@@colleencupido5125 Marlowe's Dr. Faustus LP. Under Milk Wood. He narrated all of the Wars of the Roses radio adaption. Some children books, War of the Worlds. And played a role in the recording of 'The Lady's Not for Burning'.

[@brynjarhoff-lr6hw]

The one and only Richard Burton…..the greatesr among the best greats!!!!

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Burton plays Hamlet as a repressed hysteric. I've seen this speech done many ways, but it's like Hamlet's on speed. Brilliant performance.

[@maestroclassico5801]

Which makes To sleep....perchance to DREAM....even more meaning.

[@mariazarzhytska3407]

@@maestroclassico5801, you've got my mind. That's manifestated classique "giacommian madness", finely shown by Mr.Burton. Great play!

[@williamgregory1848]

There’s something tragic yet beautiful about this man 😢

[@rerite2]

My brother saw this production. He was a teenager then and had a front row seat. He says that when Burton spoke his lines motes of dust drifted down from the rafters, his voice so strong and resonant.

[@beverleywaterbury2834]

I too heard this way back when..never forgotten

[@s.chaubey8098]

That's a powerful imagery.

[@flicker162]

I saw this phenomenon of sound, and although hearing impaired, heard every word. I was young and pretty sitting in the center, third row perhaps, leaning forward to hear my favorite actor in my favorite play. I was leaning forward, absorbed. In a biography, it's said that Burton often focused on a pretty girl and more or less gave his performance to her. I believe that I was the lucky one that night.

[@rerite2]

@@flicker162 -- Thank you for sharing. Very interesting and what a great memory.

[@flicker162]

@@rerite2 Your brother's memory put me right back in the small theater. Yes, the theater thrill of my life!

[@petercampbell8694]

A juggernaut of an actor! - A joy to watch, and bliss to hear him utter the bards words! - He’ll NEVER bested! ❤

[@essertpitay]

You can't beat that voice.

[@nurselibby96]

Burton is the best of the six fine actors I have watched who have played Hamlet, The Dane. His strong Welsh voice was truly mesmerizing. I wish I could have seen him perform this live. We will not see his like again.

[@ZombieKilla2008]

I honestly think this is the perfect representation of this soliloquy. The moment of "ay, there's the rub" is absolutely perfect, couldn't have anyone done that moment even better.

[@anaussie213]

Agreed. Also he goes "to sleep... perchance... to dream.." as opposed to "to sleep, perchance to dream" as I always hear it done. Works better his way.

[@Dalfay]

"I did love you once!" with a deep tremble in his voice BRAVO!!!

[@thebrainkw]

Richard Burton is great and he has an incredible voice

[@sportszone8680]

This is one of many voices no one will ever replace

[@ChrisComstock612]

This is my favorite thing ever

[@matthewgarry1643]

Same

[@naaveenmahadeshwar7889]

My god! Perfection of English diction staRted and ended with Burton 🙏🙏🙏

[@richardcroteau3977]

What needs to be said? He is the best! Fantastic!!

[@snowysnowyriver]

Bottom line.......Richard Burton was a genius. The films he made did not do him justice. He had to be seen on stage to appreciate his power.

[@Jfk3434]

It was where he belonged before bewitched by a violet eyed vixen stole him away to ugly CA

[@Jfk3434]

He belonged to the theater

[@cydonian0417]

Greatest speaker of the English language in all of human history. No less.

[@neilevans4352]

And not his first language.

[@mitchroushart]

Brilliant on so many levels!

[@stephenroberts3398]

Welsh wizard Richard Burton is powerful on the stage.. Bottle of vodka before the matinee and another bottle of vodka for the evening performance.Stupendous memory and gifted actor.

[@janel342]

The vodka is in your imagination.

[@rclevy3]

I saw this performance in Toronto and Burton was wonderful. That is a huge theatre and he performed as a great stage actor so everyone could see what he was doing. Unless you have seen Burton on the stage you cannot be critical of his stage acting. One can't judge it by a film. It doesn't translate.

[@jay1beaux]

A very great Hamlet, by a great actor

[@llewellynhamiltoniiim.d.1057]

Great Performance.

[@Cowpunkgirl2]

The madness; most excellent!!!

[@jackcoleman1222]

Wow, this is some of the most impressive phrasing I've seen for this soliloquy. If I ever play this, my dream role, I hope to do a fraction as well as Mr. Burton.

[@brianrussel6012]

(guest) Wow. 😊🌠. As John Gielgud once said" that's acting, dear boy..." Such intensity, such light and shade, rise and fall of that wonderful voice, such energy, such concentration , such ability to portray suppressed rage / inner conflict.... Wow and double wow ! So glad he did all that for British /English theatre... Going back to watch it again : what a treat !😊🇬🇧😊 🔥🇬🇧😊🌟🔥🇬🇧🔥

[@Lundahlium]

Jesus he is so good.

[@puppylove422]

yes, this man's voice does SAVE LIVES.😊Hi, I’m Brittney Hill :D . I really enjoyed your upload! I’m living in Los Angeles county, where Hollywood is! I am homeless and currently looking for a overnight, only, shelter or a place to live… Yay, me ! My whole life, I’ve always done everything by myself, literally, so that’s why I’m super proud that I figured out my, Destiny. My Destiny is to get married to, Thomas John Ellis (he is a, famous, British, actor, on a T.V. show, in America, called, Lucifer.). I will become his Wife and a Mother (for the first time), to his 3 daughters. Then, I am also going to, finally, become a, famous, American, method, actress. The second thing in my Destiny is to be a real, live, Princess, for the United Kingdom. I was born to do all of these things :D, so it is in my blood. I’m Middle class, and I AM social climbing so I will marry the first rich man I come in to contact with, of course. HAHA! Either way my story plays out, I will end up married to, Tom Ellis. That is a promise. I’m 31 years old, I’m not just any Millennial, I’m, THAT, Millennial! You can join me wherever you see me in person :D ! See you on the big screen :D ! Family. Love. Love. Love. signed, Brittney Hill, Saturday, October the 26th, 2019.

[@iggitube18]

After having compared a number of versions on youtube, i think this is by far the best. Richard Burton had an amazing voice and I would rather listen to him than any of the others.

[@jansumi]

I saw this when it came out. Never forgot. Waited for years for it to show up somewhere again. The simple black & white minimal costumes and sets. So powerful. That voice - oh, I miss him. He & Olivier definitely win for Voice.

[@beverleywaterbury2834]

Me too

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

I first knew of my admiration for RB’s voice in the rock opera “War of the Worlds”. RIP and thank you for the magical performances 🇨🇦

[@moonlight007speed]

Best Hamlet adaptation ever, Sir Burton is an unmatchable talent.

[@Taoistdavid]

I was .istening to Adam Gopnik on a CBC podcast (Massey forum at Stratford) and he said this was the absolutely best rendering of this speech. Burton rendered 'sleep' in several ways and landed all the stops. I think it was very good.

[@theresadevine4415]

What a wonderful voice and beautiful English. Perfectly performed in true RB style.

[@GeorgiaTryfona]

Beautiful, such a pity that theater actors have moved away from this way of using the voice. There is nothing more exciting for the ear than this power of an acting voice. After watching all the modern actors no one I think could release the tone like he does on 4:52 as well as use the light falsetto register earlier at 4:36. Beautiful really😍 I studied singing and ancient Greek theater and use this way to train voices in opera and public speaking. Thank you for uploading!

[@rawdonqueen]

Knocking Burton seems to be a popular sport. I thought that he was superb as Hamlet when I saw the original production, and this video confirms my memory. Remember that he was picked for the part and directed by John Gielgud, probably the greatest Hamlet of the last century.

[@hanno21664]

this is raw talent right here, Richard Burton is in the pantheon of Great actors and actresses. i highly doubt we shall see his like again. i know there are some who might like Mr. Burton and that is ok that is their opinion. Burton is passed on and we have the honour to see his talent and study from him. a great man all around. later all. have a good day

[@chipsnorice]

Mortal coil...slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes...perchance to dream...There's the rub.....such words, such beauty, such poignance.....no better to say them than 'Our Rich' - Kenneth Tynan said the first time he saw Burton it was like a cathedral was within his eyes.. or something similar. RIP Richard you gave us so much with your voice, your life and your charisma. Such the like we will never see again.

[@jamesbwaterman]

Watching this scene it hits me: why didn’t I get this before? Ophelia is inexperienced at being two faced and gives away that she is performing for hidden figures. This actress and Burton play this wonderfully, the two-sidedness between whispering the truth to one another and declaiming the performance for those watching. When Burton figures it out, he looks back to where Ophelia has glanced, the scene becomes electrified. I’ve played this scene before, many times, and never figured this out. “It hath made me mad” is interpreted as madness by Polonius (and Ophelia) but it’s merely a result of realizing he’s being played and manipulated by the ones he trusts the most. Denmark is a funhouse of horror!

[@Ingens_Scherz]

I have only one thing to say about this cruel brilliance: It is the most shattering experience of a young man's life when he awakes and quite reasonably says to himself: "I will never play The Dane". When that moment comes, ones ambition ceases. Damn you, Burton. For your beauty and your genius, damn you.

[@operaoaf]

This is truly an inspiration to watch! Richard just shows how great he is as a stage actor. It's a sure contrast with the bland and monotonous so called acting we have these days. Unfortunately, people who are too used to modern films just dont get the acting required to fill an entire theater and the tradition of theatrical acting. You have to be bigger than life because you are but a small being onstage. People seating near the back need to feel all the nuances and emotions.

[@Linda-pg3so]

👍🏻

[@jonnbwright]

this is the best, and i have seen at least 10...

[@jackspry9736]

RIP and long live Richard Burton (November 10, 1925 - August 5, 1984), aged 58 You will always be remembered as a legend.

[@chobogamer]

finally a Real performance!

[@manuelarimoli8]

Impecable .

[@TheTerryGene]

Richard Burton stipulated in his contract that all copies of this film be destroyed after it’s initial distribution. Thank God his wishes were ignored!

[@peggyconverse7622]

From what I understand, Burton himself had the only surviving copy of this..and it was found in his garage after his death. Thankfully.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

WHY would he want this destroyed?

[@colleencupido5125]

@@HollyMoore-wo2mh Well, why would the Ancient Roman poet Virgil beg his friend to destroy his copy of The Aeneid,( as he took sick suddenly while traveling and died in 18 BC)because it wasn't polished enough to his liking? Thank God the Roman Emperor Augustus would not permit this.

[@matttilley9093]

Judging a soliloquay from Hamlet out of context is not fair. This is wonderful, passionate Burton at his best. That voice , cut from Welsh slate, that seething rage. Yes Hamlet is noble, yes Hamlet is forlorn, yes he is conflicted , boyish and melancholic, but he is also in a rage that "could drown the stage with tears" That anger is missing in most (one dimensional) portrayals of the young prince. Burton is melancholic and flippant in many of the scenes with other characters. He deliberately chose to use the soliloquays as an opportunity to free that anger, that rage. So even tho i concede this and "o what a rogue" seem over acted and shouted, it was deliberate and in the context of an entire rounded performance it work....and he did understand what he was saying, don't be that naive....

[@flicker162]

He said on Dick Cavett Show that To be or not to be was not the great pondering about suicide. He was always talking to Ophelia. The student prince talking, thinking aloud, as students do.

[@howardsmith9342]

Mel Gibson conveys some of that anger in his performance. Hamlet acts crazy to fool people, but there is a rage that comes through.

[@flicker162]

I think it was in a Cavett interview Burton said that "To be or not to be" was spoken to Ophelia, who is still on stage. He is ruminating, not reciting, thinking as teenagers do.

[@juliejones717]

The best interpretation of this famous speech 💔

[@bodieofci5418]

By far my favourite version of this. Richard Burton had a fantastic voice. And to think he went from this to shooting Nazis with Clint Eastwood a couple of years later.

[@mmmmitch3073]

bodie of ci5 Movies did not interest Richard Burton. He made “Where Eagles Dare” for his kids. They wanted to see him in something they could understand and enjoy so he had Alistair write the screenplay for him.

[@cjcheri]

Are you kidding me? Any leading actor who plays Hamlet is a GREAT actor. This is really the hardest dialogue there is, it's Shakespeare after all.

[@JJTownley_Classical-Composer]

The more I think about it, the more I realize that Burton might have made an excellent James Bond, possibly one to rival Connery. He would have been 35, five years older than Sean, when shooting would have started on Dr. No. Burton was so versatile, and with his voice and charisma I really think he could have pulled it off. I wonder if Saltzman/Broccoli ever approached him.

[@PaulRietvoorn]

He was probably too expensive.

[@JJTownley_Classical-Composer]

Paul Riet This is true. I hadn't considered that. Broccoli and Saltzman got Connery for a song.

[@dixieflatline8750]

This has unfortunately risen to top comment. It's OK as somewhere in the middle of the page, but it's plainly unacceptable as the first thing to read after watching this performance. Please be a good sport and delete it. If you want, you can copy, delete and paste it back in anew with no likes. It would still be highly placed. In itself, the comment is fine- you have a good point. As the top comment, it only makes too vivid what a vile cesspool of ignorance is KZbin.

[@brianrussel6012]

@@dixieflatline8750 (guest,) Dear Dixie, there are some erudite comments here...🤔. When a site is available for comments, it's inevitable that you get a range of opinions. We just have to take the rough with the smooth : " It's called Free Speech, dear...". Try to enjoy the more lucid, thoughtful comments, and don't worry too much about the ignorance of some...😊. Hoping you enjoyed this video of a very spirited performance. 🤔🇬🇧😊🇬🇧🌷🇬🇧😊

[@stephenroberts3398]

He was thought of as Bond in the early 1960s..Ian Fleming wanted Richard Burton

[@Tazzy123949]

Thank you I'm doing a project on shakespeare this will be my wow factor

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

I kept expecting him to ask if DannyBoy was on the frequency. In all seriousness, this is sublime.

[@beatscatmommy1735]

Such an amazing artist. Just watched Cleopatra again, he is so god you forget it’s a movie. He gets into the character and makes it his

[@anaussie213]

I love him in my cousin Rachel.

[@89217724042]

The greatest moment ever :-)

[@danesgch]

Thank's God i found this video. I have to recite this poem in some weeks, now I can practice :)

[@jembreern1]

I wish I had been mature enough when he was in his prime to have appreciated this great talent while he was alive. Such a performer! Makes everything come together as real to me, even when he's speaking Elizabethan English to me, a poor dumb Southerner!

[@dearmalika]

Amazing performance!

[@MrRinderRupinder]

I don't understand how anyone can say that this is bad... Shakespearean plays are ubiquitous but it's truly rare that I see one with actors who really understand the contents of the play and apply the right tone to the speeches...like this one for example LOL

[@suzieqtruth6377]

Thank you so much for all these posts. They are invaluable.

[@keeponbleeding]

I love this excerpt!

[@njohnca]

thanks for the post it is great

[@caroldunn4799]

Best acting ever! Second only to Glenda Jackson, they put ACTING in the dictionary 🥰

[@dianethebowiefan9914]

I love his voice

[@tuxguys]

Burton in his prime, directed by Gielgud, declaiming Shakespeare... Does it get any better than this? I've been watching a lot of great performances of this speech (thank you, KZbin) this evening, but not until this performance did I draw a parallel between Hamlet and Capt. Ahab in their respective, self-destructive obsessions. Thank you, whoever posted this.

[@carmencollor1224]

Excellent comparison!!!

[@garkogako7989]

looks good even on tv.

[@anaussie213]

All but ONE! I love how he yells out like that at the end, such a rage.

[@05maccaj]

I understand how revolutionary Burton was in his day, but I always find that when he reads, his technical mastery of the verse is wonderful, but I can't always get the sense of what he's saying.

[@gatocat3336]

You and me both. I think you already need to know what he is saying off by heart in order to hear it. In my opinion he speaks too fast. I have listened to Sir John Gielgud and was able to hear every syllable and every word. In my opinion that makes him the better speaker.

[@anaussie213]

While Burton speaks perfect dramatic Received Pronunciation Shakespeare wrote in Middle English, which is quite different. A fair amount of meaning is lost by the modern recreations (just see how many Shakespearean sonnets don't rhyme in modern English). Also in as you like it "and so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, and then from hour to hour we rot and rot". Hour used to sound like whore and ripe like rape so the double meaning (of whoremongers getting std's) has been lost. Even hearing every syllable doesn't quite convey the original meaning.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

Some of the comments here are disgusting. Burton was a truly brilliant actor. he was so popular that they filmed a live performance of his Hamlet and broadcast it directly into cinemas across the UK. Regarding the opinion of "JuanMacready". This is a man that has favourited videos by Chris de Burgh and David Cameron - need I say more.

[@DavidMiramontes1]

Awesome!

[@dweir2584]

Just seen Motive and The Cue at the London National Theatre, and so happy to find this clip!

[@beatscatmommy1735]

Spectacular. And that voice.

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

Happy 456 to the Bard! He was born this week (no one knows the exact date), but celebrated 23 April 1564. Richard Burton is my favorite Hamlet. Kenneth Branagh did a good one too.

[@runestone0]

Juan: You crack me up! I'm reminded of a stray cat that comes meowing to one's door; feed her, and you'll never get rid of her. Ignore her, and she'll skulk away and bother someone else.

[@ZephyrsSong]

ahhhh, gets me every time :)

[@Emiliano533]

Richard Burton, siempre memorable; su participación en el teatro como en el cine, ¡SIEMPRE UN ACONTECIMIENTO!

[@BrettOwen71]

His head was huge for the size of his body. I do believe that this was one of the factors that contributed to his vocal resonance and volume. That skull was so large with lots of space for sound to resonate from.

[@hummarstra]

I don't know if this is a good Hamlet or not, but I love Richard Burton. My fav performance of his is in Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe? Just love him.

[@anaussie213]

If it's Burton it's good.

[@sayusayme7729]

Fantastic!

[@marcmorrissey3058]

Burtons magnificent voice was “the deep dark answer from the valleys to the bloody lot of you” (The English) as he said himself!

[@CoolJuleofAces]

that was fuckin brilliant. damn, the vocal muscularity and range, the coloring and scoring of the soliloquy, the moment-to-moment discoveries, the way he moved in the space, emotional connection and objective- freakin exquisite.

[@edwardkarlson8192]

Don't call me, I'll call you. Great demonstration of voice and diction.

[@emerybayblues]

I've watched Scofield, Oliver and Burton. They all bring something to it. I can't decide.

[@garrison6863]

I liked Burton's Hamlet. I think its one of the best on film.

[@mariazarzhytska3407]

Scorpacitos never mind. He looks like one of the first 60`s extirpates #forbidthem

[@alydon2]

Burton, O'Toole and all the other from that era were proper men and proper actors. Today's offerings are pale beside them and Burton in Hamlet was held in very high esteem, greater than anything else seen before.

[@kalypsopurple]

Oh my. Gotta love Burton. Don't care if he's going with his quintessential style for what is probably ultimate Shakespeare (and a role I consider to be the hardest and most complex ever), he's still aces it and does it like no one else ;p

[@musikafossora]

He had such a rich and beautiful voice. Like velvet.

[@actorscrib5932]

The modern crop can’t compare ! That voice , intelligence and poetry . Bravura

[@MegaJohnf1]

Brilliant..

[@somartset]

Try watching more of what he did.Then as a human you may then be humble enough to admit.Ok yes he was a great actor.!!!

[@Jigaboo123456]

Superb.

[@ScottHallFalls]

mm Yes such rage and sorrow

[@ManweArcadio]

At first I thought it was bad... Then, I realized how this guy owns the words like his own body.

[@stephenroberts3398]

A coal miners son from South Wales who conquered London and Hollywood..He had to change his accent and name to escape the poverty of the valleys..That voice was his most commanding feature.. Powerful performance and mesmeric.. Merry Christmas from Swansea South Wales 2019..Diolch.

[@FM-wk1mu]

Amazing actor!

[@rmp7400]

Stunning! Stunning... Every surprising movement of his very body leaves me quite breathless, motionless... THIS Hamlet is very powerfully frightening - completely unpredictable... I would not be his Queen, his handmaid, nor a sister confidante... No, I had no idea what Burton could do on stage. At all. Much has been made of his photographic memory, his unforgettable voice, and his Lotharic powers of magnetism - but this Star ...had an unrivallable, naturally mesmerizing intellect that could transfigure a character on paper into a breathing, bleeding Fantasma. Clearly, he never won an Oscar because he was never seriously considered for any nomination. For Hollywood to have recognized him... would have put every other actor out of a job. The entire unfortunate Elizabeth Taylor episode ...apparently was used to discredit his very evident & towering talent. Olivier's earlier interpretation of Hamlet gained more lasting approval because - and ONLY because: Hamlet was a DANE... and Olivier primarily focused on presenting an ancient DANISH personality (he even dyed his hair blonde, [as if all Danes were blonde!])- not necessarily a passionately conflicted, powerful MAN.

[@MrLakeOntario1]

To be honest, I think Hamlet was intended to exhibit much more passion and simmering anger when pondering whether to be or not to be. He scorns indecision, thought and conscience and casts them into the pale light of death...where only cowards tread.

[@MrLakeOntario1]

He starts out pensively, but his scornful rage builds toward the end of the soliloquy. He casts off the debate and concludes that it is better to be a man of action. You can almost hear him say, "Don't try to change me, babe."

[@joanienoeldechen4133]

My father's fav actor...

[@user-jt8dh4qy8d]

The pain of a genius. Phil.

[@LesleyLesPaul]

@jandismaszilenka ... i love your critic, thanks ! LES

[@harrysmith4780]

You see performances that are totally different to Burton's. I've seen this speech as a sort of melancholic reflection. Burton's Hamlet is terribly hurt and full of pain. They said that at parties Burton would meet a woman, chat for 5 minutes then the lady would go back to her friends and gush "He loves me!" His magnetism was extraordinary, it's said he worked through the entire chorus of Camelot and it was touch and go with Dame Julie.

[@anaussie213]

He'd then take them for a poetry reading and have them swooning like Kidman in moulin rouge but they'd actually mean it.

[@Beaufallow]

Best version I’ve ever heard