Poster for the movie National Theatre Live: The Motive and the Cue

National Theatre Live: The Motive and the Cue

2024 • 165 minutes
Drama

In 1964, Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under Sir John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

Picture of Johnny Flynn

Johnny Flynn

Richard Burton

Picture of Mark Gatiss

Mark Gatiss

Sir John Gielgud

Picture of Tuppence Middleton

Tuppence Middleton

Elizabeth Taylor

Picture of Aysha Kala

Aysha Kala

Picture of Luke Norris

Luke Norris

William Redfield

Picture of Allan Corduner

Allan Corduner

Hume Cronyn

Picture of Ryan Ellsworth

Ryan Ellsworth

George Voskovec

Picture of Elena Delia

Elena Delia

Jessica Levy

Picture of Huw Parmenter

Huw Parmenter

Clement Fowler

Picture of Laurence Ubong Williams

Laurence Ubong Williams

Hugh McHaffie

Picture of Michael Walters

Michael Walters

Picture of Mark Extance

Mark Extance

Mick Burrows

Picture of Dan Krikler

Dan Krikler

Dillon Evans

Picture of Shaun McKee

Shaun McKee

Robert Milli

Picture of Stephanie Siadatan

Stephanie Siadatan

Susannah Mason

Picture of Adam Sina

Adam Sina

Frederick Young

Picture of David Tarkenter

David Tarkenter

Alfred Drake

Picture of Kate Tydman

Kate Tydman

Christine Cooper

Picture of Rebecca Collingwood

Rebecca Collingwood

Linda Marsh

Picture of Janie Dee

Janie Dee

Eileen Herlie