Hamlet [1991]

Customer Reviews:

Shakespeare's greatest play and an amazing film.......2007-04-17

Purists of English literature would perhaps discredit this masterpiece of a film for its manipulation, and somewhat removal, of some scenes from Shakespeare's great revenge tragedy. However, the amazing acting from this all-star cast and the excellecent setting and realism of the film more than compensates. Highlights include the scenes demonstrating Ophelia's madness, a fantastically Freudian interpretation of the famous III.iv scene between Hamlet and Gertrude, and the breath-taking final scene. Credit must also be given for their ability to caputre the realism of Hamlet's many soliloquies and the Ghost as an Elizabethan audience would have seen it.The greatest interpretation of Shakespeare on this silver screen? My only criticism is the lack of any extra features on the DVD, hence only 4/5 stars.

Suprisingly good........2006-02-17

With casting Mel Gibson as lead, this film was always going to attract a type of movie goer that would probably not normally see a Shakespeare production. Hence it's no suprise that we don't have 100% theatrical authenticity here, it is perhaps (or was at the time) a suprise to see just how good Gibson's performance is. Intense and broody, it manages to convey the confusion of a mind being torn apart by fate in a way that is more convincing and watchable than Branagh's. The whole film is entertaining while still managing to bring something new to the much feasted upon Shakespearean table, just what every film adaptation of the bard's works should try to do.

This is a Hamlet for today's audience........2006-02-06

This version of Hamlet is short and fast paced. It has plenty of energy and Mel Gibson is a convincing Hamlet. The balances of the cast are top-notch actors and are in excellent form. There is enough of the story to give cohesion. There are no stories or plays that could not stand a little reinterpreting. But some times this leave out the feel. Mel actually put more feel back in to the original intent. So do not compare while watching. And watch it a gain.

The story takes place in Denmark. Hamlet the prince is informed by the ghost of his father that his mother and uncle were responsible for his father’s death. His mother and his uncle get married before the funeral meat is cold. How will Hamlet deal with the situation and what effect will it have on others around him?

Entertaining, slick, but..........2006-02-02

First of all, what there is of this version of Hamlet is first class. Mel Gibson proves a warm, likeable, and surpisingly convincing lead. Helena Bonham Carter and Ian Holm live up to their billing is two of the leading actors of their respective generations. The settings are atmospheric and superb and Old Hamlet stares with eyes of infinite sadness. Best of all is the scene between Hamlet and Gertrude, as Hamlet throttles her with a pendant of the king. There are subtle undertones in this scene, directed with Zefirelli's customary flair. It is well worth seeing: in every respect it is a fascinating production. Except: this is so heavily edited that it loses so much of Shakespeare's nuances of language. Shakespeare is so much more than just plot - most of those were not his own, and Hamlet is no exception to that. If all Hamlet were was a story about a man who eventually avenged his father, it would be unremarkable. To cut so much is to give the play a rushed and sketchy appearance, as if the director is trying to provide excuses for Shakespeare's language, rather than revelling in it and presenting it as it is, almost unparalled as a dramatic artform at that particular point in history. This, I think, is a shame. Branagh's version is embarassingly bad at times, and nobody has ever fully explained to me why he chose to put it in some hinterland between its Medieval setting and a modern equivalence. However, one thing that Branagh is not afraid of: the words. All of them are there. A shame that they weren't in this version.

Try this movie as a good intro. to Shakespeare's Tragedies........2006-01-09

Firstly - a review of themis_athena's review - five stars: well written, well done. (Sorry I couldn't write that in Will's style, but it's late and I'm tired...)

Secondly, a review of this version of Hamlet. It was probably this film that helped me to understand the play a little better. The lines are well delivered with understandable expression rather than just 'rattled off' - perhaps giving the unexperienced viewer a chance to appreciate what is being said rather than their tired brain eventually glossing over it all as just words (words...words...). I've previously studied other Shakespeare plays, but I remember (when the film was released in the cinemas) a couple of work colleages - who I think initially went to the cinema to 'look at Mel' if truth be known - remarked how they were pleasantly surprised to have actually enjoyed the play in it's own right because they understood it, having always thought Shakespeare was 'difficult'. (Apologies for that extreeeeemely long sentence). Having said that, it's not 'Shakespeare for Idiots', and it's just a pity so much was cut out (and I seem to think Mel Gibson would agree). The only downside is that I think Helena Bonhan-Carter's Ophelia is lacking something - she seems to be 'off her trolley' right from the start, but maybe my interpretation is just different to Zeffirelli's. Indeed, I think the perfect Hamlet film would be to take Kate Winslet's Ophelia out of the Kenneth Branagh one and put her into this movie, and put missing scenes back in. I think there's probably a lot of 'Shakespeare-ites' who frown on the fact that this movie stars a Hollywood celebrity, but Mel Gibson is a brilliant actor - as is proved here - and gives more to this movie than just someone for us ladies to enjoy looking at (that's an added bonus!!!!).

Customer Reviews:

Cold Eyes of Fear.......2005-12-08

Dire thriller in which a lawyer and his prostitute are held hostage in a London house by an ex-con with a grudge and his violent lackey. Much of the story focuses on said ex-con's backstory, but in such vague terms as to fail utterly to hold the interest. A Eurohorror-style obsession with facial close-ups and a number of nonsensical hallucinatory/psychedelic montages add to the general ineptitude of the whole project.

Average customer rating:
Billy Blanks-Tae Bo Cardio 1 [2004]
Starring: Billy Blanks
Manufacturer: Gaiam
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002VEPFI
Release Date: 2007-10-15

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