A powerful, deeply moving and inspiring true story of actor Ian Charleson, who faced incredible odds while preparing to give the performance of his life in Hamlet at the National Theatre in London.

The ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. His uncle, fearing for his life, also devises plots to kill Hamlet. An historic BBC production taped on location in and around Kronborg castle in Elsinore (Denmark), in which the play is set.

When Captain Nathaniel Somers is killed during an attack by thugs, his loyal first mate Pike promises to care for the captain's son Dick. Pike, aware that Dick has squandered his life on having a good time, sequesters the wastrel aboard The Elsinore and sets sail. Mellaire, one of the thugs responsible for the captain's death, is also on board, as is Margaret West, whom all three men love.

The story of a surly crew, an honest God-fearing captain, a hardboiled-but-loyal Scotch mate, a scoundrelly second-mate, and then a mutiny, the fight and the final voyage to a safe harbor. But not before the Captain has been murdered, his pretty daughter in peril, her rescue by the single passenger on board, and a member of the crew thrown overboard by another crew member.