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Reviews
Hamlet (1948)
A different intention than Shakespeare
This version of Hamlet has many shortcomings. It does not include characters like Rosencrantz, Guildenstern or Fortinbras and omits famous words like "O what a rogue and peasant slave am I" and "How all occasions do inform against me." I like the film noir atmosphere but disliked Olivier portrayal of Hamlet as being weak, indecisive and having some Oedipus complex. Better versions of this adaptation include the ones starring Branagh, Gibson and Jacobi.
American Playhouse: The Killing Floor (1984)
Useful for those studying the black migration during WWI, the race riots in Chicago and the labor movement
Summary: Black workers from the South migrate North during WWI to look for jobs left vacant by people going off to war. They were often relegated to the most undesirable jobs and faced some prejudice. Some of them join the local labor unions and find themselves being paid substantially more than they would have if they had stayed in the South. After the war ends, the labor union loses influence as there are men who want their jobs back that these workers filled. We see employers using race to try to break up the union and there are accurate depictions of the Chicago race riots that occurred in 1919. There were massive strikewaves after WWI when many workers were laid off or had their wages cut. This film is useful to anyone interested in the labor movement.
Nattvardsgästerna (1963)
What happens when God dies
This film is a perfect example of the problems with associating God with love. The pastor wife dies and most of his faith goes with her. He preaches indifferently and is so negative about having faith that he leads a man to commit suicide. This is a very dark and unforgiving look into a world where God seems to be absent.