Hamlet Movie Review 1990

Zeffirelli--in his fourth attempt at Shakespeare--creates a surprisingly energetic and accessible interpretation of the Bard's moody play. Gibson brings charm, humor and a carefully calculated sense of violence, not to mention a good deal of solid flesh, to the eponymous role, and handles the language skillfully (although if you seek a poetic Dane, stick with Olivier). Exceptional work from Scofield and Bates; Close seems a tad hysterical (not to mention too young to play Gibson's mother), but brings insight and nuance to her role. Purists beware: this isn't a completely faithful adaptation. Beautifully costumed; shot on location in Northern Scotland.

Distribution

Facets Multimedia, Inc., 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, Phone: (773)281-9075, Toll-free: 800-331-6197, Fax: (773)929-5437, Email: sales@facets.org, URL: http://www.facets.org

Available on VHS
Running time 135 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Aunts & Uncles, Nieces & Nephews, Adventure Drama, Medieval Romps, Adapted from a Play, Revenge, Sanity Check, Family Ties, Plays to Film: William Shakespeare

Screenplay

Franco Zeffirelli, Christopher DeVore

Cast

Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Helena Bonham Carter, Nathaniel Parker, Pete Postlethwaite

Cinematography

David Watkin

Director

Franco Zeffirelli

Producer

Dyson Lovell