Waiting for Godot

Zero Mostel and Burgess Meredith deliver two of the finest acting jobs I have ever seen as Estregon and Vladimir, two lonely souls passing time while waiting for an important, albeit unknown, visitor. These veteran actors apply their craft with such a powerful and professional finesse that it makes this version of Becket's masterpiece a delightful lesson for the serious practitioner of the dramatic arts.

Make no mistake, this is not a MOVIE but the original Becket play filmed for television yet remaining true to Becket's vision. This version contains no special effects and little in sets save what Becket describes for his original dramatic work. What makes this version come alive, besides the glorious script itself, are the wonderful performances of these two great actors.

I first encountered this play to learn more concerning Theater of the Absurd of which the author of Waiting For Godot, Samuel Beckett is considered a founder. While I felt I grasped some of the despair and black humor of this theater I honestly could not bring myself to enjoy and hardly finished the play on reading.

I happened upon this version when browsing my college library and decided to watch it in segments. I found myself slowly but utterly drawn into the reality presented and bizarrely concerned for the tramps as they blunder around and never leave their ugly space. Both Burgess Meredith and Zero Mostel are marvelous as they completely sell their story but never take themselves too seriously. I never thought I'd see Zero Mostel outdone in a theatrical piece but I think this is one example. The scenes with Pozzo and Lucky still don't appeal to me but perhaps they will make more sense after a second or third watching. I would have no problem watching it many more times despite the bleakness and inaction of Beckett's style. The glorious acting and truth shine through better than I imaged they ever would.

The first thing to say about this production is that it is not the full play. It has been cut by about 40 minutes and the repetitious interplay in Act 1 between Vladimir and Estragon has been cut as have the sections that deal with bodily functions and male organs.

Nevertheless it has good elements, in the actors in particular. Physically Meredith is, or was, too short for his role, but never mind. Mostel over does it a bit, but that was Mostel.

The direction is a little irksome and not ideal for Beckett on stage which really wants for a full frame stage, not the TV close up and not the moving camera but those parts of film grammar are normal and the so-called stage-bound qualities may bore viewers.

Lucky's monologue is very athletic and the most important speech in the play given by Pozzo, "When, When, When, why do you poison me with this story of time?" is over all too quickly.

Over 50 years later we can see the whole play and uncensored, so we can look at this version as staging post on the wider introduction to Beckett.

IMHO this is closest rendition to what was intended. mind blowing in all possible ways. 6 years of writing was worth it, and then some as he was perfecting director input when it was already playing in theaters. most will not understand that this tragic comedy. it is an extremely detailed satire of society and humans. it jumps around as 4 hours of it will melt your brain for sure. i had to make break even for 90 min ver

This must be amazing. Burgess Meredith and Zero Mostel playing Vladimir and Estragon... I can only imagine how good this is.

My brother saw this play off-Broadway with Christopher Lloyd and Tony Shaloub in the main roles, which I really would like to have seen.

This play is truly the best of Samuel Beckett's works, with the possible exception of Krapp's last tape.

There is also a film of Beckett's called, "Film" starring Buster Keaton, which must be astounding.

I wonder if there is a way to find these lost gems?

Does it make a difference is Beckett is done on screen versus on stage?

Why must this comment be ten lines long?

It seems rather pointless and fascist, but only in the way that I interpret it.

Can anything be done?

She has gone and done it again.

Won't somebody tell her?