Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Reel 1
Restoration credits
The film HAMLET had its premiere in Berlin on 4 February, 1921.
No original camera negative is known to survive. This restoration of the German premiere
version is based on a tinted distribution print in the Deutsches Filminsititut - DIF
filmarchive. Missing or damaged sequences were supplemented by footage from the
French distribution version, held in the collection of the Centre National de la
Cinmatographie. Both prints were struck from the same negative in the early 1920s.
The German intertitles match the exact wording recorded in the German censorship
record issued on 10 November, 1920.
Restoration
Deutsches Filminstitut - DIF Frankfurt am Main 2006/7 With financial support from ZDF in
collaboration with ARTE and the Hessische Kulturstiftung
Film laboratory Haghefilm Conservation, Amsterdam Restoration produced in cooperation
with Archives Franaises du Film du Centre National de la Cinmatographie and Conseil
Gnral de la Charente
Intro scroll
For centuries, scholars have been arguing
about the meaning of the Hamlet saga.
Many eminent writers have hotly debated the life of Hamlet.
Voltaire, the French philosopher, called Shakespeare's plays
a tasteless mix of whim and nonsense.
Herder stated that Hamlet was an affected fop.
Even Goethe was damning in his criticism of Hamlet:
Hamlet is an ass!
Recently, the American literary researcher, Professor Vining, produced a new interpretation
of the Hamlet legend. Until now, the character of Hamlet has harboured an astonishing ret:
In reality, Hamlet was a woman!
Main credit
Asta Nielsen Film HAMLET
A drama in six acts plus a prologue, based on ideas taken from the Hamlet legend
discovered by Professor Vining.
Crew credit
Screenplay by Erwin Gepard
Reel 2
PART TWO
King Hamlet has barely been laid to rest yet Claudius and Queen Gertrude's wedding
banquet is already underway. Polonius, the Chief Treasurer, hands the crown to the new
King. Ever the faithful friend, Horatio has accompanied Hamlet to Denmark.
"You have arrived just in time, Your Highness. In the castle they are holding a wake
and a wedding banquet at the same time!"
"Get rid of that last vestige of mourning! This is a joyous day for us."
Father, in your entire kingdom, I alone weep for you!"
Tell me, old man, were you the one who found my father's corpse?"
"I found the snake, too.
Methinks it looked like one of the poisonous snakes from the castle dungeon!"
"My uncle's dagger!"
I will feign madness in order to follow this clue unnoticed!" "You alone, dear Horatio,
shall know that this is merely a mask with which to conceal myself!"
Hamlet's ruse:Using sleight of hand it is easy to make a crown vanish in Denmark.
"My dagger in Hamlet's hand?"
"Had Hamlet not fallen prey to madness, I would have to fear him!"
We need to occupy the Prince's mind with something else. Shall I give my lovely daughter
Ophelia a hint?"
Ophelia, Polonius's daughter. Be gone with you, you are false, like all the others!"
Father! Father! Give me a sign that I should avenge your death!"
END OF PART TWO
Reel 3
PART THREE
Mistrusting Hamlet's madness, the King has a doctor examine his mental state.
"Your Highness, please show us the pretty things which you yourself have made."
"One man is starved of a thing and another man has it in abundance!
His head grows smaller due to a surfeit of wisdom!"
You look well, Uncle. I hope that means the Crown is not too heavy a burden for you."
"A lovely young maiden!"
Caught in a web of lies
You are to bring the Prince safe and sound to Norway and return alone...
Do I make myself clear?"
"I love Ophelia, her grief causes me great pain."
"The King wishes to speak with you, your Highness."
"Whatever may happen, I will always remain your friend!"
"I have an important message for King Fortinbras I want you to take it to him."
Hamlet left Denmark that same day. Grief over her father's death has caused Ophelia to go
insane. The people are incensed about Claudius's misrule.
I am Laertes, son of Polonius. What happened to my father?"
"Down with the King! People, follow me!"
"Who killed my father?"
"Ophelia! Sister!"
The first pause for rest on Norwegian soil
Document
A command to Our vassal, King Fortinbras! It is your duty to comply with Our behest and
protect the welfare of Denmark and Norway by carrying out the following order, the
execution of which is a vital matter of State:
Document
you are to have Prince Hamlet beheaded without hesitation, Claudius, King of Denmark.
"I drink to my dear Hamlet's good health!"
At the Norwegian royal castle"Hail to you, King Fortinbras."
Document
You are to have Prince Hamlet's two companions beheaded without hesitation, Claudius,
King of Denmark.
"Off with their heads, forthwith!"
King Fortinbras has decided to help his friend and free Denmark from its criminal monarch.
"We march to Denmark!"
END OF PART FIVE
Reel 6
PART SIX
"Was that you calling me, my love?
I am coming, Hamlet, I am coming!"
On the way to Denmark Hamlet has ridden on ahead of the Norwegian army.
"We will set off at the first sign of dawn.
The new day's sun shall see you on the Throne, Hamlet!"
"Do my eyes deceive me? Hamlet lives?"
"Worry not, Uncle. We shall now hold the wake together!"
"Ophelia is to be laid to rest this very night."
"The Church has no prayers for one who took her own life!"
"My poor, beloved sister!"
"I demand vengeance for my father and sister! I challenge you to a duel at dawn!"
"Woe is me! Claudius!"
"In fighting this duel you will avenge us both! I know a potion which will help you win!"
And if you do not strike him the mortal blow, he shall drink Death from my hand!"
"I am no coward, but my heart is heavy with sorrowful premonition!"
"Drink, bold Hamlet!"
"The wrong goblet! Poison!"
"Only in death is your secret revealed! Your golden heart was that of a woman! Too late,
my love, too late!"
"I wanted to help you ascend the Throne, but your wings broke on the steps before you
could reach it."
THE END
Restoration end credits
Restoration Deutsches Filminstitut - DIF
With the kind support of Subtitling by SUBS Hamburg
M. Hale