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Hamlet

  • 19901990
  • PGPG
  • 2h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mel Gibson, Helena Bonham Carter, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Trevor Peacock in Hamlet (1990)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:42
1 Video
67 Photos
  • Drama
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge.Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge.Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • William Shakespeare(based on the play by)
    • Christopher De Vore(screenplay by)
    • Franco Zeffirelli(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Glenn Close
    • Alan Bates
Top credits
  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • William Shakespeare(based on the play by)
    • Christopher De Vore(screenplay by)
    • Franco Zeffirelli(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Glenn Close
    • Alan Bates
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:42
    Official Trailer

    Photos67

    Mel Gibson and Helena Bonham Carter in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson and Stephen Dillane in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson and Glenn Close in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson and Glenn Close in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson in Hamlet (1990)
    Helena Bonham Carter and Ian Holm in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson, Helena Bonham Carter, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Trevor Peacock in Hamlet (1990)
    1 Sheet 26 X 38
    Grande Movie Poster, 47 x 63
    Mel Gibson, Helena Bonham Carter, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Trevor Peacock in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson, Helena Bonham Carter, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Trevor Peacock in Hamlet (1990)
    Mel Gibson, Helena Bonham Carter, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Trevor Peacock in Hamlet (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Hamletas Hamlet
    Glenn Close
    Glenn Close
    • Gertrudeas Gertrude
    Alan Bates
    Alan Bates
    • Claudiusas Claudius
    Paul Scofield
    Paul Scofield
    • The Ghostas The Ghost
    Ian Holm
    Ian Holm
    • Poloniusas Polonius
    Helena Bonham Carter
    Helena Bonham Carter
    • Opheliaas Ophelia
    Stephen Dillane
    Stephen Dillane
    • Horatioas Horatio
    Nathaniel Parker
    Nathaniel Parker
    • Laertesas Laertes
    Sean Murray
    • Guildensternas Guildenstern
    Michael Maloney
    Michael Maloney
    • Rosencrantzas Rosencrantz
    Trevor Peacock
    Trevor Peacock
    • The Gravediggeras The Gravedigger
    John McEnery
    John McEnery
    • Osricas Osric
    Richard Warwick
    Richard Warwick
    • Bernardoas Bernardo
    Christien Anholt
    Christien Anholt
    • Marcellusas Marcellus
    Dave Duffy
    • Franciscoas Francisco
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    • Reynaldoas Reynaldo
    Pete Postlethwaite
    Pete Postlethwaite
    • Player Kingas Player King
    Christopher Fairbank
    Christopher Fairbank
    • Player Queenas Player Queen
    • Director
      • Franco Zeffirelli
    • Writers
      • William Shakespeare(based on the play by)
      • Christopher De Vore(screenplay by)
      • Franco Zeffirelli(screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Franco Zeffirelli reportedly wanted Mel Gibson for the title role after seeing his near-suicide scene in Lethal Weapon (1987).
    • Goofs
      The hole in the curtain when Polonius is stabbed.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Hamlet: The rest is silence.

      Horatio: Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

    • Alternate versions
      One American print, which as of January 2016 appears on Paramount's Vault Channel on YouTube, features no credits overlaid during the first two minutes of the film as seen on most prints (aside from the title) and the same goes for the end titles, which leaves only a black screen with music, followed by the Paramount logo. It is unknown how or why there are essentially no credits at all on this print; it is most likely an accident that the distributor was unaware of.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Green Card/Almost an Angel/Hamlet/Come See the Paradise/Alice (1990)

    User reviews104

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Mel Gibson's Hamlet
    Hamlet (1990) stars Mel Gibson. The film was directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Mel Gibson ranks at the top of my list of unlikeable Hollywood stars. However, as as reviewer, I have to give him credit for doing a creditable job in the demanding role of Hamlet. Film Hamlets don't have to be skilled Shakespearean actors. The ability to murmur a soliloquy that can be heard in the back row of an auditorium isn't required in the movies. The director can order numerous takes until one turns out well. He can use close-ups--as Zeffirelli does--to make sure we understand the actor's emotions. I don't think Gibson would have managed the role onstage, but on the screen he carries it off.

    Glenn Close, as Gertrude, is excellent. This is especially evident in the bedroom ("closet") scene. She really does portray Gertrude's mixture of fear and shame in a convincing manner.

    However, in my opinion, acting honors go to Helena Bonham Carter as Ophelia. Bonham Carter's Ophelia is shy and innocent. She is flattered and frightened by Hamlet's professions of love, and she is crushed by his violent rejection. Most impressive is her portrayal of the mad scenes. She acts these so well that you actually are convinced that you are watching a young woman who has had a descent into mental illness.

    I've watched several Hamlets as part of a Shakespeare on film honors course. Each movie has it's strengths and weaknesses. This Hamlet deserves to be seen. Zeffirelli Is a brilliant director, Mel Gibson is a satisfactory Hamlet, and Helena Bonham Carter is the perfect Ophelia.

    I watched this movie on DVD, but it would do better in a theater. It's worth watching it in whatever format is available.
    helpful•6
    2
    • Red-125
    • Mar 1, 2014

    FAQ1

    • What does Zeffirelli cut from Shakespeare's original play?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 18, 1991 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • France
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Гамлет
    • Filming locations
      • Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK
    • Production companies
      • Icon Productions
      • Carolco Pictures
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,710,451
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $116,975
      • Dec 25, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,710,451
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1(original ratio)

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    Mel Gibson, Helena Bonham Carter, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Trevor Peacock in Hamlet (1990)
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