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Hamlet Reviews

1990

70
from 1356 members

Franco Zeffirelli directs his third Shakespeare adaptation (after Romeo and Juliet and Otello) with this film version of the tragedy Hamlet. The titular prince of Denmark (Mel Gibson), returns home to his family's castle of Elsinore after years of attending school in Germany to find out his father has died and his uncle .. Read more

Starring	Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield
Director	Franco Zeffirelli
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of Hamlet
View all critics' reviews (2)
- ...Fluid and atmospheric....Gibson is a serious and compelling Hamlet for today...
- 39989
- - New York Times
  - 08 Oct 2007 at 15:24
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Hamlet
View all members' reviews (7)
- - 8
  - 1
  Excellent - Mel Gibson and just a really good film
  
  You really don't have to be a Shakespeare buff to enjoy and appreciate this masterpiece of a film. Mel Gibson and/or Shakespeare fans will love it.
  read more »
  
  Report this review
- 192745
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Joy
  - Blackpool, England
  - 11 Jan 2006 at 19:47
Most recent members' reviews of Hamlet
View all members' reviews (7)
- - 1
  - 0
  Shakespeare for the masses
  
  Heavily edited to fit within the timeframe but an extremely valid rendition nonetheless. Easy access for contemporary audiences- just as Shakespeare intended. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1063096
- - Kaileyface
  - 3 reviews
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 20:33
- - 2
  - 1
  Hammy Hamlet
  
  I'm a Shakespeare head and although this is an interesting interpretation whoever thought Mel Gibson would make a good Hamlet must be mad. Hamlet is meant ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 738769
- - Goflo
  - 1 review
  - Inverurie
  - 06 Apr 2009 at 14:21
- - 0
  - 2
  Mel Gibsons got a really funny face
  
  I thought this was really fantastic, I LOVE Shakespeare.
  
  Great casting, wonderful screen adaption, truely stunning and dramatic location.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 607160
- - Jelly
  - 15 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 02 Aug 2008 at 14:00
- - 2
  - 1
  Hamlet for idiots.
  
  I loved this film when it came out at the cinema, and revisiting it on DVD hasn't lessened my opinion of it. It's a lot more accessible than wading ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 603487
- - a customer
  - Yeovil, England
  - 25 Jul 2008 at 19:31
- - 2
  - 0
  Hamlet
  
  I am not a great fan of Shakespeare (apologies to those who are) but as I am currently doing an undergraduate course in English Literature it is imperative that... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 563762
- - Timpson
  - 110 reviews
  - rotherham
  - 09 May 2008 at 11:09
- - 4
  - 1
  Forget your prejudices, this is better than you'd think
  
  Not a Mel Fan but I Loved this film.Shakespeare as she were wrote- action and movement , excellent intro duction to the play for the younger set, fluid and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 288081
- - jennifer claire
  - Ireland
  - 21 Sep 2006 at 19:37
- - 8
  - 1
  Excellent - Mel Gibson and just a really good film
  
  You really don't have to be a Shakespeare buff to enjoy and appreciate this masterpiece of a film. Mel Gibson and/or Shakespeare fans will love it.
  read more »
  
  Report this review
- 192745
- - Joy
  - Blackpool, England
  - 11 Jan 2006 at 19:47
View all members' reviews (7)

- - 8
  - 1
  Excellent - Mel Gibson and just a really good film
  
  You really don't have to be a Shakespeare buff to enjoy and appreciate this masterpiece of a film. Mel Gibson and/or Shakespeare fans will love it.
  read more »
  
  Report this review
- 192745
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Joy
  - Blackpool, England
  - 11 Jan 2006 at 19:47
- - 4
  - 1
  Forget your prejudices, this is better than you'd think
  
  Not a Mel Fan but I Loved this film.Shakespeare as she were wrote- action and movement , excellent intro duction to the play for the younger set, fluid and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 288081
- - jennifer claire
  - Ireland
  - 21 Sep 2006 at 19:37
- - 2
  - 0
  Hamlet
  
  I am not a great fan of Shakespeare (apologies to those who are) but as I am currently doing an undergraduate course in English Literature it is imperative that... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 563762
- - Timpson
  - 110 reviews
  - rotherham
  - 09 May 2008 at 11:09
- - 2
  - 1
  Hamlet for idiots.
  
  I loved this film when it came out at the cinema, and revisiting it on DVD hasn't lessened my opinion of it. It's a lot more accessible than wading ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 603487
- - a customer
  - Yeovil, England
  - 25 Jul 2008 at 19:31
- - 2
  - 1
  Hammy Hamlet
  
  I'm a Shakespeare head and although this is an interesting interpretation whoever thought Mel Gibson would make a good Hamlet must be mad. Hamlet is meant ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 738769
- - Goflo
  - 1 review
  - Inverurie
  - 06 Apr 2009 at 14:21
- - 1
  - 0
  Shakespeare for the masses
  
  Heavily edited to fit within the timeframe but an extremely valid rendition nonetheless. Easy access for contemporary audiences- just as Shakespeare intended. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1063096
- - Kaileyface
  - 3 reviews
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 20:33
- - 0
  - 2
  Mel Gibsons got a really funny face
  
  I thought this was really fantastic, I LOVE Shakespeare.
  
  Great casting, wonderful screen adaption, truely stunning and dramatic location.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 607160
- - Jelly
  - 15 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 02 Aug 2008 at 14:00

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Critics' reviews
- ...Fluid and atmospheric....Gibson is a serious and compelling Hamlet for today...
- 39989
- - New York Times
  - 08 Oct 2007 at 15:24
- Decent, unadventurous adaptation that does not challenge Olivier's version.
- 39013
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:46

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Hamlet
  
  Franco Zeffirelli directs his third Shakespeare adaptation (after Romeo and Juliet and Otello) with this film version of the tragedy Hamlet. The titular prince of Denmark (Mel Gibson), returns home to his family's castle of Elsinore after years of attending school in Germany to find out his father ...