Charleton Heston Orates the Priam Speech from Hamlet (1996)

I have always thought that Charleton Heston was an underused actor. He has a great deal more range and intensity than most people are willing to give him credit for. Here, he gets a chance to really test himself. Against Kenneth Branagh's brash scenery-chewing bravado, Heston appears subtle and in total command of his emotions. He also seems easily as aware of the layers of irony in this scene. Actors playing at acting, in a play about a play. And through all of that fog, the truth is so piercing coming from Heston, that it leaves me with a lump in my throat every time I watch it.