Hamlet (1991)

Champagne for the eyes

After seeing Olivier's version of Hamlet, I was interested in seeing this version of Hamlet. Admittedly, Mel Gibson was one-hundred percent of my impulse to see this film. I don't usually follow actors when choosing movies; I trust directors more than I trust actors in choosing movies. But Mel Gibson is an exception to this rule: when was the last time the man made a bad movie?-- I can't even think of one.

With this said, I rented this movie and watched it with growing delight and amazement. As always, Mel was Mel--great. Glen Close--great. The actors and actresses, from Mel Gibson, to Glen Close,to Alan Bates, to Ian Holmes, etc., delivered the complicated verses of the Bard's epic tragedy as though those words were their very own words. And those words, though fast and often ferocious, were nevertheless so clearly defined and nuanced that at no point during the film did I feel any inclination to switch on the subtitles. As Adrian Lynne's Lolita to Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, this version of Hamlet was so well made as to defy every comparison with its former. The gargantuan and rough-hewn sets of Zeffirelli's Hamlet sharply contrasts against the tiny, but well-organized sets of Olivier's Hamlet. Precision, economy, and bourgeoisie ethos marked Olivier's Hamlet; though equally articulate, Mel's Hamlet is scruffy and coarse as if to blend in with the harsh interior and exterior sets of the movie.

Hamlet is a proverb centered around the murder of King Hamlet, Hamlet's father. The murder of King Hamlet at the hands of his brother, Claudius--who subsequently assumes both Hamlet's crown and queen--is the outrage that inflames young Hamlet (Gibson)against his mother's--Glen Close-- new husband. Despite all signs pointing to the affirmative--that Claudius murdered his father, young Hamlet cannot act decisively and his wavering establishes a chain of terrible and tragic incidents.

This Hamlet is a great movie, equally so to Olivier's Hamlet. Mel Gibson's best acting performance. Glen Close, never more beautiful. September 29, 2008

Hamlet with Mel Gibson

I need it for my school assignment, I watch it two times and learn to appreciate and love the movie, it's a clasic from Shakespeare! A must have! July 20, 2008

Not Kenneth Branaugh, but doesn't dive

I use this one for my college sophomore British lit class because it is shorter than Branaugh's definitive production, the costumery and set is fab, and the movement is fast-paced enough to keep their attention. It is also more "historically accurate" in that it is set in medieval Denmark and we will have studied the Danish influence of English culture by then, red Beowulf, etc.. However, it is the "action-figure" Hamlet, with Mel Gibson who was in his prime in all those action movies that he did back then (I can't think of a single title) so it loses something of the pensive angst of other Hamlets. Hamlet, the intellectual, the philosopher, torn between tradition (revenge), personal suffering, and his educated renaissance mind, is lost to Gibson's more determined portayal. Close's Gertrude is an annoying slut who can't even keep her hands off her own son and Bate's Claudius is a passably smarmy Machiavelle. The lovely authentic setting over-rides much of this and the second year students aren't thinking criticaly anyway. However, I do show the beginning, ending, and death of Ophelia from Branaugh's so that they can see another perspective. Perspective is all, you might say, in this case.
July 18, 2008

Speedy Delivery

According to instructions for ordering next-day delivery, I had 4 minutes to decide. Made my decision and DVD of "Hamlet" delivered within 24 hours. Great! June 14, 2008

This is the best movie version of Hamlet.

Mel Gibson is a bit too old to play the young Hamlet, but he is very believable. He has awesome facial expressions when he realizes Ophelia is dead. Glenn Close also plays a wonderful Gertrude. When she is dying from the poisoned wine, she, too, has awesome facial expressions. Great movie! May 25, 2008

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