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Hamlet (1990/I)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
18 January 1991 (USA) moreTagline:
The extraordinary adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tale of vengeance and tragedy.Plot:
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
James McAvoy and Emily Blunt Lend Voices to 'Gnomeo and Juliet' (From Get The Big Picture. 19 August 2008, 11:53 PM, PDT)
Actor Paul Scofield Dies at 86
(From IMDb News. 20 March 2008)
User Comments:
Zefferelli Had to Be Cruel to be Kind moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Mel Gibson | ... | Hamlet | |
| Glenn Close | ... | Gertrude | |
| Alan Bates | ... | Claudius | |
| Paul Scofield | ... | The Ghost | |
| Ian Holm | ... | Polonius | |
| Helena Bonham Carter | ... | Ophelia | |
| Stephen Dillane | ... | Horatio | |
| Nathaniel Parker | ... | Laertes | |
| Sean Murray | ... | Guildenstern | |
| Michael Maloney | ... | Rosencrantz | |
| Trevor Peacock | ... | The Gravedigger | |
| John McEnery | ... | Osric | |
| Richard Warwick | ... | Bernardo | |
| Christien Anholt | ... | Marcellus | |
| Dave Duffy | ... | Francisco |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
130 minLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Australia:PG | UK:PG (video rating) | UK:U (original rating) | Iceland:L | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-11Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This was the first Shakespearean role that Glenn Close had ever attempted on either stage or screen. moreGoofs:
Continuity: During Ophelia's lament, she reaches out with one arm to anyone who will help. In the next shot, the opposite arm is outstretched. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Claudius: Hamlet! Think of us as of a father. For let the world take note: you are the most immediate to our throne. And with no less nobility of love than that which dearest father bears his son do I impart toward you.
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I have to admit I really like this film. Zefferelli is an unappreciated master: he knows how to stage a crowd (essential to his Romeo and Juliet), and move people; how to frame and light a sequence so it flows. He has a fine sense of color and its movement. Moreover, this Hamlet has the very best set, and also to my mind the best Gertrude.
What he has done is focus on the story. He's chopped and dropped and rearranged to create a story that makes sense. It moves and moves well from beginning to end. But.
But the problem is that Shakespeare's play is not at all about the story. That's just the skeleton on which some life altering metaphoric structure is built. Now all gone. You'll need Branagh for that, but his story doesn't flow effortlessly as this does.
Result: If you want Hamlet, seek him elsewhere. If you want a similar, masterful piece of filmwork, look here. The language is fittingly conversational not stentorian, so that the players can manage it. Just as well.
Ophelia is very pretty, and in her greatly reduced role does well. Her start-double take-astonishment-puzzlement after the play within the play is a moment which will last in your mind. This is an actress to watch.
Trivia: The incidental Osric here is the wonderful Mercutio in Zefferelli's much earlier Romeo and Juliet around whom the whole play revolves. The First Player (incidental in this version) is the excellent Friar in the other (macho thug MTV) Romeo + Juliet around whom that whole version revolves. Curious.