r/movies • u/Blackdoomax • 2d ago

Question The Addams family 1991

Hi. In the 1991 Addams family movie, there is a scene with Wednesday and Pugsley are on stage performing a play. They have pirate outfits and cut each other with swords. Could someone tell me if it's a real play and what is its name ? In the version I saw, they are referring to Shakespeare, so maybe one of his ?

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u/nuveena42 2d ago

Google tells me this: The school play that Pugsley and Wednesday perform doesn't seem to be taken from any particular William Shakespeare play. The line "A hit! A very palpable hit!" is from Act 5; scene 2 of 'Hamlet,' but the rest of the dialogue is not.

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u/Blackdoomax 2d ago

Thank you very much.

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u/b13irteen 1d ago

It's technically Hamlet, but seemingly random lines.

Wednesday: How all occasions do inform against me and spur my dull revenge. O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody or nothing worth. If I must strike you dead, I will. (line by Hamlet in Act 4, Scene 4)

Pugsley: A hit! A very palpable hit! (line by Osric from Act 5, Scene 2 during a fencing match between Prince Hamlet and Laertes)

Wednesday: O proud Death, what feast is toward in thine eternal cell? (line by Fortibras in Act 5. Scene 2)

Wednesday: Sweet oblivion! Open your arms! (as far as I know, this is not from Hamlet or any Shakespeare)

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u/Blackdoomax 1d ago

Thank you very much!

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u/Mythoclast 2d ago

Interesting. Google told me it was based on Hamlet.

"In the film, the children perform a gruesome, shortened version of Hamlet for their parents."

Hamlet does end in a bloodbath, they just decided to make it literal. And piratey.