A heartbreaking, witty and beautifully shot biopic, Elsinore brings Ian Charleson back to life in 1980s Britain.
I’m a sucker for a biopic, a Shakespeare adaptation and anything to do with 1980s England, so when I saw Elsinore on the bill at this year’s Rome Film Fest, I knew I’d be in for a treat. Directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford (Pride), it follows Ian Charleson, the Scottish actor who rose to fame in Chariots of Fire and, in 1989, stepped in as Hamlet at the National Theatre while dying of an AIDS-related illness.
Andrew Scott’s performance has been rightly widely celebrated, with Oscar nomination talk already in the air. “What a piece of work is a man!” He declares, delivering his Hamlet everywhere from the stage of the National Theatre to his hospital bed. (As a lovely coincidence, Elsinore was my second film of the day at Rome Film Fest — the first being the Knife documentary, in which Salman Rushdie recites the same line.)
The film doesn’t shy away from emotionality which, given any lesser actor or director, could have veered towards the cheesy, but Elsinore treads a perfect line (only veering towards excess cheese in the final montage.) The cinematography is incredible, capturing the feel of London of the 1980s as well as beautiful, lingering closeups on Scott.
At the press conference, Stone explained that cinematographer Mike Eley began his career as a war reporter, which gives the film its documentary-esque feel. Scenes were often shot in just one take, with Scott not knowing when the camera was on him, which gave Eley the chance to capture Scott’s incredible emotional subtlety without interrupting the performance.
The film addresses class (a must for any movie set in 1980s Britain) through the appearance of Derek Jarman – a welcome addition for anyone interested in the period. Jarman, the outspoken, openly gay filmmaker who had directed Charleson in Caravaggio, accuses Ian of selling out by staying closeted for the sake of a mainstream career.
Just as memorable is Dr Margaret Johnson (played by the inimitable Olivia Colman), the UK’s first dedicated HIV consultant, who’s remarkable work during the AIDs crisis extended and enriched the lives of countless patients.
The script is as witty as it is heartbreaking, and the supporting cast is superb. Billie Piper is warm and funny as Ian’s best friend, and Peter Mullan deserves a special mention for his brief but devastating appearance as Charleson’s father.
Scott carries the film’s gallows humour with his trademark charisma, bringing back to life a period that is both so recent and yet still so overlooked, as well as showing – once again – the enduring power and relevance of Shakespeare.
The 21st edition of the Rome Film Fest is running from October 13th to 25th, 2026.
