Hamlet (1969) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Dana decides to write a sequel to Hamlet after Principal Rocker informs him that the school's drama program will be shut down at the end of the semester. Determined to prove the value of arts education and leave a lasting impression on his students, he creates an original play that combines Shakespeare's tragedy with time travel, allowing characters to reconcile with their fathers and find forgiveness.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Dana is shown producing poorly received adaptations of Hollywood movies, indicating his struggle to find original creative success.

• drama teacher
• hamlet sequel
• school play
• arts program closure

Rand quits the play because he feels overshadowed by Octavio, who was cast as Hamlet while Rand was assigned the role of Laertes. Frustrated that Octavio receives more attention and presumably better part, Rand storms out and secretly gives the script to Principal Rocker, leading to the production being halted.

Foreshadowing: Tension between Rand and Octavio is established early when the new students clash with Dana's existing drama students.

• rand
• octavio
• laertes
• hamlet
• casting dispute

Brie leaves Dana because she has fallen in love with Gary, a boarder they took in to help with finances. Additionally, Brie reveals that Dana is infertile, which adds to the emotional devastation of his personal life and contributes to his relapse into alcoholism.

Foreshadowing: The financial strain on Dana's household is hinted at when they take in a boarder to make ends meet.

• brie
• gary
• divorce
• infertility
• alcoholism relapse

The play is controversial primarily because it features a character based on Jesus Christ in a song-and-dance number called 'Rock Me Sexy Jesus.' The combination of Shakespeare, time travel, and religious figures in a provocative musical format alarms school administrators and attracts attention from ACLU activist Cricket Feldstein, who defends it as a matter of civil liberties.

Foreshadowing: Dana's history of adapting popular Hollywood films suggests he tends toward controversial material.

• rock me sexy jesus
• controversial play
• aclu
• cricket feldstein

The students rally around Dana after he faces his lowest point, his wife leaving and his relapse into drinking, by organizing an underground production in an abandoned warehouse. They provide technical help, security through the football and wrestling teams, and emotional support, believing in both Dana and the play's artistic value despite its controversial content.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Dana's genuine passion for inspiring students, which plants the seeds for their later loyalty.

• students
• warehouse production
• football team
• wrestling team

In the play within the movie, time travel allows characters, particularly Hamlet and Jesus, to travel back and reconcile their troubled relationships with their fathers. Both characters ultimately forgive their fathers for past wrongs, and this narrative device drives the emotional climax of Dana's production.

Foreshadowing: The play is explicitly described as a sequel involving time travel from the moment Dana announces his project.

• time travel
• hamlet
• jesus
• father forgiveness

Principal Rocker halts the production after receiving the script from Rand and learning about its controversial content, including the 'Rock Me Sexy Jesus' number. Fearing backlash from parents and the community, and potentially legal trouble for the school, he orders Dana to cease all work on the play.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Dana's creative ambitions and the school's conservative environment is established early.

• principal rocker
• play cancellation
• school administration

Yes, Rand returns to the play after initially quitting. He comes back apologetic for his earlier departure and is welcomed back by Dana, who allows him to resume his role as Laertes. His return represents reconciliation and the production moves forward with renewed energy toward its successful opening night.

Foreshadowing: Rand's departure is driven by ego and jealousy rather than genuine ideological disagreement, leaving room for his return.

• rand
• laertes
• return
• reconciliation

Dana begins dating Elisabeth Shue, who plays the actress in his favorite film 'Crossover.' At the end of the movie, after the play's success, they are shown in a relationship as Dana prepares to take his production to Broadway.

Foreshadowing: Dana's admiration for Elisabeth Shue is established through his quoted reverence for her film.

• elisabeth shue
• broadway
• romance
• success

Yes, Dana's play achieves success despite initial mixed reactions and protests. The audience gradually warms to the production's boldness and emotional depth, particularly the themes of reconciliation and forgiveness. A critic from The New York Times attends and writes positively about the play, leading to an opportunity for a Broadway opening.

Foreshadowing: The gradual winning over of the audience is set up through the early positive reactions from some audience members despite the controversy.

• broadway opening
• critical acclaim
• new york times
• play success