Grand Theft Hamlet - Review (London Film Festival 2024)

Please Refrain From Killing Each Other.

Review written by Jack Aling

Grand Theft Auto is directed, written and stars Sam Crane & Pinny Grylls.

Two unemployed friends have a fresh idea: They want to stage Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ in Grand Theft Auto.

On paper, Grand Theft Hamlet is a silly and humorous spin on a work we are overfamiliar with. But as the film goes on, this documentary becomes a touching exploration of art finding its way to survive by any means necessary.

Set during the height of the UK COVID lockdown, theatres are still closed and creatives are still out of work, being encouraged by its government to get into more stable jobs like coding. Where video games like Grand Theft Auto are a distraction and a way to blow off steam, the filmmakers stretch the boundaries by attempting to audition, rehearse and present a full production of Hamlet within the game itself.

Showcasing the connecting impact of art, Grand Theft Hamlet is a comforting and hilarious documentary and one of my biggest surprises of the festival.

Our verdict: 4 out of 5 stars.

Grand Theft Hamlet will be released in UK cinemas on 6th December 2024.

Read more of Jack's reviews at: letterboxd.com/TheJackAling