Attention: Everything on this page refers to the film vesion of Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson, a film which differs in a number of ways from Shakespeare's play. Be aware of such differences when they occur. Information on this page has been edited by Mrs. Deborah Cox, English Professor, Montgomery College*
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Hamlet (1990) | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Franco Zeffirelli |
| Produced by | Dyson Lovell |
| Written by | Franco Zeffirelli Christopher De Vore |
| Starring | Mel Gibson Glenn Close Helena Bonham Carter |
| Music by | Ennio Morricone |
| Cinematography | David Watkin |
| Editing by | Richard Marden |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | December 19, 1990 |
| Running time | 130 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Hamlet is a 1990 film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. Mel Gibson has the title role as the young Hamlet, Glenn Close plays his mother, Queen Gertrude, Alan Bates plays his uncle, now King Claudius, Paul Scofield appears as the ghost of Hamlet's Father, and Helena Bonham Carter plays his love Ophelia. It was directed by Franco Zeffirelli.
Besides Gibson, this play features three actors — Scofield, Bates, and Ian Holm (Polonius) — who had themselves played Hamlet on stage or film.
This version of Hamlet is notable for its portrayal of an incestuous moment between Hamlet and Queen Gertrude.[1]
Hamlet returns to Denmark when his father, the King (also named Hamlet), dies. His mother, Gertrude, has hastily re-married. She weds with Hamlet's uncle Claudius, who becomes the new King. The spirit of Hamlet's father comes to Hamlet and tells Hamlet he was murdered by Hamlet's uncle Claudius, who has now married Hamlet's mother and taken over as King of Denmark. The apparition wants Hamlet to avenge his death, but not to harm Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, for her infidelity. The story progresses as Hamlet falls into depression and madness in his quest for revenge.
