Interview – Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane discuss Grand Theft Hamlet

Grand Theft Auto V has been playable across three generations of consoles. Silly antics have been captured on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, all the way to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It is a game that defined a generation. The series itself is one of the most important in gaming history, redefining the medium with its innovative open-world design. However, few would have anticipated that William Shakespeare’s Hamlet would be recreated in the wild and wacky world of Grand Theft Auto.

Directors Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane brought this bold idea to life in 2022, and now we get to see how the trials and tribulations unfolded in their documentary, Grand Theft Hamlet.

Having been fortunate enough to see this film at the London Film Festival 2024, I was even more thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Pinny and Sam ahead of its nationwide cinema release. We discussed everything from why Sam began playing Grand Theft Auto in the first place to the importance of showcasing both the positive and negative aspects of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Grand Theft Hamlet is a unique project that will undoubtedly appeal to both theatre enthusiasts and gamers alike.

Grand Theft Hamlet will be released in UK & Irish cinemas by Tull Stories from 6 December, then streaming globally on MUBI in early 2025. 

You can read our review for Grand Theft Hamlet here – Read Our Review