Focus: A Film Review (1948-1949)

FOCUS 137 1 like Kronborg too, and do not intend to leave it in spite of the efforts of the historians who try to remove me to my native place in Jutland. I hope I shall bring the same luck to Denmark as my colleague Holger Danske, the tutelary genius of the Danes who lives, as everybody knows, in the casemates of the castle, and who always appears when Denmark is in serious danger. Extremely fascinating! Will you allow me to accompany you to the Hall of the Knights which by virtue of its gigantic measurements and in the simplicity of its style, is one of the most important attractions. How nice of you! I cannot imagine anything more charming than to be escorted by Hamlet through his own residence! Hamlet casts with a graceful swing his cape over his shoulder and with elastic steps leads the way down the wing-staircase. We arrive at the courtyard. To the right the chapel door is open. Hamlet remarks my reverent astonishment, and when I enter, he remains discreetly in the courtyard. Probably he remembers Shakespeare’s lack of religion and does not desire to destroy the structure of his legendary figure, even if it is necessary to be told as an excuse that the murder of Polonius was an accident. After a short rest in the chapel, I return to the courtyard iwhich lies deserted in the sunshine. I find my friend Hamlet in a shady corner. A large stage is erected in the courtyard and Hamlet points in its direction. Here will be presented the Shakespearean play in the warm summer nights, when the moonlight shines over the castle. The best actors of the world compete for my incarnation in front of an international public. Splendid, I will attend the next performance. From the heat of the afternoon sun we enter the refreshing coolness of the Hall of the Knights which extends over the whole floor. I am hypnotised by this overwhelming impression. A tessellated pavement of marble covers the endless area. The light' falls from both sides through the high Gothic windows over the white walls decorated with magnificent gobelins. A gigantic fireplace recalls the time when during the winter the red glow of the flames was reflected in the lustre of the marble. The silhouette of Hamlet moves like a shadow through the Hall, and when I address him again ... he is gone. The heavy iron keys of the keeper rattle. I just have a chance to slip away before he locks the door. He looks at me, surprised. Lucky for you that I saw you; I did not notice anybody in the Hall. If I had locked the door, you would have been obliged to stay here the whole night and Hamlet's ghost is said to appear here after midnight. You are wrong. Hamlet appears not only in the night but also during the day, and I am not afraid of spirits — it is very easy to deal with them — it is only a question of spirit. Catherine Larvil is a writer of considerable renown in Denmark. She is a journalist, critic, playwright and one-time actress. She is a very live Catholic and should be a most valuable contact for Focus in that land of firstrate film artists. DO YOU WANT A CINEMA SHOW IN YOUR DISTRICT? Ask Us To Make Arrangements on) DID ora om mo i) om n om om om om om om om om We are negotiating with a firm of touring projectionists to take programmes of Catholic and general interest films around the country. Both indoor and outdoor programmes can be arranged. om om om om om om om om om om [Cl If you are interested, write to the Secretary, Catholic Film Society, Mayfield College, Tunbridge Wells, so that itineraries may be planned. om om