Treachery. Madness. Murder. The story of Hamlet has been told for 400 years...but it's never been told like this! Mel Gibson takes on his richest part to date, the title role in a dynamic new version of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Gibson plays the prince of medieval-era Denmark, who senses treachery behind his royal father's death. Glenn Close plays Hamlet's mother Gertrude, all too dangerously entangled in that treachery. A brilliant supporting cast, including Alan Bates as Claudius, Paul Scofield as the ghost of Hamlet's father, Ian Holm as Polonius and Helena Bonham-Carter as Ophelia.
Director Franco Zeffirelli and star Mel Gibson combine their talents for this full-blooded adaptation of the classic tragedy. The movie is a concise, trimmed version of the play, as Hamlet returns to Elsinore to finds his mother married to his uncle and his dead father's ghost demanding vengeance. Shot in Northern Scotland amid actual castles and foggy landscapes, the film has a very realistic, rugged feel courtesy of cinematographer David Watkin. Mel Gibson is superb in the title role, burying his movie star persona within a sulking, sometimes completely unsympathetic performance as the prince. Glenn Close as his mother is also disturbingly real--the two share some scenes that are nearly incestuous in their intensity--and Helena Bonham Carter lends Ophelia the perfect note of otherworldly pain. This is a perfect companion to Zeffirelli's earlier Shakespeare films, TAMING OF THE SHREW and ROMEO & JULIET, and proves that he is a true master of poetry and period realism. Shakespeare fans should be very pleased, and beginners will find no better place to start than this accessible and vibrant adaptation.
Acclaimed director Franco Zeffirelli teamed with Mel Gibson for this energetic, earthy adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tragedy. From study abroad, the young Prince of Denmark returns home to find his mother has married his uncle, and his father's ghost is urging him to action; but what action? Gibson brings real gusto to Hamlet's anguish, and makes this full-blooded translation roar with life. Glenn Close, as his mother, and Helena Bonham Carter, as Ophelia, both lend excellent support. This is Shakespeare with teeth; it should please both students and casual filmgoers.
Theatrical release: January 1990.
HAMLET was filmed on location in Northern Scotland.
Hamlet Reviews:
"...Both leads stand up honourably, with some solid, unshowy acting, to a cluster of high-caliber British Shakespeareans..."
-- Jonathan Romney, Sight and Sound
"...Given how intellectually the role is usually played, Gibson's portrayal is personal and original..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
-- David Patrick Stearns, USA Today
"...Fluid and atmospheric....Gibson is a serious and compelling Hamlet for today..."
-- Caryn James, New York Times
"...It's exquisitely designed, by Dante Ferretti, and lushly photographed....Gibson shows Shakespearean tools: princely bearing, a resonant and supple voice for verse....He is a creditable Hamlet..."
-- Michael Wilmington, Sight and Sound
4 stars out of 5 -- "It proves one of Gibson's best performances, vibrant, crazed, capturing a sense of emotion running riot that the Royal Shakespeare Company tends to damp down."-- Ian Freer, Empire
A must see film!! This, in my opinion, is one of the best overlooked films ever, this is the film that changed Mel Gibson from a "48 Hours" action film star to a serious actor. This film is excellent in every way, from Mel Gibsons fiery Hamlet to Helena Bonham-Carters disturbed Ophelia (one of her first roles), this movie sizzles with a passion that Shalespear would have been proud of. The only slight fault is that the soundtrack seems a bit dated due to the use of the synthesizer in some of the parts, noteably the opening credits, but this is a small flaw in a great film. Submitted by donste2005 (Chicago, Illinois USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great Movie This is a great movie. It is about time they put i on dvd. Submitted by sbmms2000 (Santa Barbara) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
NICE ONE VERY GOOD FILM. NEEDS MORE ENGLISH, NOT SHEAKSPEARIAN THOUGH Submitted by BILL SMITH (AT HOME) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great actors don't always make for great movies I studied the original play by William Shakepeare in high school. This adaptation leaves out a lot of things crucial to the original storyline. Mel Gibson takes a lot of liberties with this film (more than should be allowed). Like the character of Fortinbras is not even mentioned in this adaptation. I like Mel Gibson as an actor and a person. But this movie is not faithful to the original Shakepeare masterpiece. Instead, spend your money on the versions with Lawrence Olivier or Kenneth Brannagh. Submitted by Steven (Marquette, MI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Mel Rocks This man is great. He can do comedy one moment and then get serious the next. I don't even question why I like his movies. Submitted by a reviewer (Brookfield, WI, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
A must see film!!
NICE ONE
Great actors don't always make for great movies
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