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Hamlet on DVD (1990)

Hamlet cover art
Average rating: 67%
1214420131428
3.5
from 439 members
 
Starring: Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield, Helena Bonham-Carter, Ian Holm
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Studio: MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time: 129 mins
Certificate: PG
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Released: 26/12/2005

Brief synopsis of Hamlet

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.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

After mixed reviews for his 1968 Romeo and Juliet, Franco Zeffirelli waited over 20 years — not counting his 1986 version of Verdi's opera Otello — before tackling the Bard again. Closer in spirit to Baz Luhrmann's William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet than Kenneth Branagh's meticulously faithful Hamlet, this is a surprisingly vigorous rendition of a play essentially about indecision and hesitancy. Mel Gibson is the screen's most muscular Prince of Denmark, but he gives a good account of himself, as does Helena Bonham Carter as the abused Ophelia. Yet it's Alan Bates who most impresses as the villainous Claudius. Not one for the purists, but a laudable attempt to introduce Shakespeare to the blockbuster generation.

New York Times

...Fluid and atmospheric....Gibson is a serious and compelling Hamlet for today...

Rating of 1 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Decent, unadventurous adaptation that does not challenge Olivier's version.

See all 3 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsExcellent - Mel Gibson and just a really good film

Joy from Blackpool, England , 11/01/2006

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.

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli and a star line up of

Mel Gibson bringing energy and good looks (1991 bit younger mmm!) Glen Close as the Queen and Helena Bonham Carter, as Ophelia are excellent in there role.

The period costumes and the scenery are beautiful and filmed with colour and vibrance, not an air of stuffiness you might expect from a Shakespeare adaptation. In fact forget the Shakespeare bit (if it helps) and enjoy a gritty tragic tale of honour, betrayal and revenge that can rival any modern day blockbuster action movie.

A cracking good film - A great way into Shakespeare

  6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsForget your prejudices, this is better than you'd think

jennifer claire from Ireland [Highly rated reviewer] , 21/09/2006

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 beautifully shot with top class performances. I cannot reccommend this film highly enough.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsHamlet

Timpson from rotherham , 09/05/2008

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 I have an understanding of the plays of the bard. This film was surprisingly good and has helped me enormously. Even if you are ony watching for entertainment purposes this film will help you to undestand what all the fuss is about. A truly exceptional portrayal!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsHamlet for idiots.

A customer from Yeovil, England , 25/07/2008

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 through the abridged written works out there, despite having and Austral/American lead character. If you haven't seen it rent it!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsHamlet

Timpson from rotherham , 09/05/2008

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 I have an understanding of the plays of the bard. This film was surprisingly good and has helped me enormously. Even if you are ony watching for entertainment purposes this film will help you to undestand what all the fuss is about. A truly exceptional portrayal!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsForget your prejudices, this is better than you'd think

jennifer claire from Ireland [Highly rated reviewer] , 21/09/2006

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 beautifully shot with top class performances. I cannot reccommend this film highly enough.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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