Customer Reviews
brilliant - By: Ben Dover, 16 Jun 2008 
When I saw this on TV a few weeks ago, I was mesmerized. For the first time in my life I actuallly understood the story of 'Hamlet' & could follow what was going on. I even found myself saying some of the lines from bits & pieces I'd learned over the years, only this time I was able to put them in context.
Some snobs might scoff at the way films like this bring Shakespeare to the masses, but I like to think that it would be Shakespeare who would be scoffing at the snobs. Indeed I think he'd be delighted with this particular effort, though of course I doubt the complete text is in this rendition, in the interest of brevity.
I'd say if you were curious about Shakespeare but were too intimidated to take it any further, this version of 'Hamlet', as well as the Franco Zeffirelli version of 'Romeo & Juliet' would be a good place to start.
Hamlet's hard enough! - By: Helena Cadoux, 28 Apr 2008 
I am currently studying Hamlet, & found this film version excessively irritating. Although some of the acting is good (Ian Holme's Polonius is remarkably well cast, & Nathanial Parker makes a fantastic Laertes), in my opinion the whole film is let down by the lead, played by Mel Gibson. It is hard enough to make people enthusastic about Hamlet (who do not have a natural flair for English or Shakespeare), & I thought that his rather over-acted & confused performance did nothing to lend itself to the play as a whole. It seemed to me that he did not understand the language, & as a result the words were muddled & lacking in impact. Helena Bonham Carter's Ophelia was well performed if lacking in poignancy, but combined with Glenn Close's biddable Gertrude they did little justice to the female parts. All in alll ,I thought that this version of Hamlet was well produced, but inadequately acted.
Shakespeare's greatest play and an amazing film - By: Philip Murray, 16 Apr 2007 
Purists of English literature would perhaps discredit this masterpiece of a film for its manipulation, & somewhat removal, of some scenes from Shakespeare's great revenge tragedy. However, the amazing acting from this alll-star cast & the excellecent setting & realism of the film more than compensates. Highlights include the scenes demonstrating Ophelia's madness, a fantasticallly Freudian interpretation of the famous III.iv scene between Hamlet & Gertrude, & the breath-taking final scene. Credit must also be given for their ability to caputre the realism of Hamlet's many soliloquies & 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. - By: Bruno, 16 Feb 2006 With casting Mel Gibson as lead, this film was always going to attract a type of movie goer that would probably not normallly 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 & broody, it manages to convey the confusion of a mind being torn apart by fate in a way that is more convincing & 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. - By: B. Chandler, 06 Feb 2006 This version of Hamlet is short & fast paced. It has plenty of energy & Mel Gibson is a convincing Hamlet. The balances of the cast are top-notch actors & 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 actuallly 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 & uncle were responsible for his father’s death. His mother & his uncle get married before the funeral meat is cold. How will Hamlet deal with the situation & what effect will it have on others around him?
