Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Tweekums Hamlet, a Danish prince, is not happy… his father has recently died and his mother has married his uncle, Claudius who is now king, less than two months later. Not long after this he is visited by the ghost of his father who tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet swears that he will avenge his father. This being a Shakespeare tragedy it won't surprise anybody that by the time it is over just about all of the protagonists will lie dead.I think that this was the first film version of a Shakespeare play that I watched and I really enjoyed it. The Shakespearian language isn't difficult to follow, especially after one has got used to its rhythm. Mel Gibson does an impressive job as Hamlet; one can really believe that he is descending into madness and he can certainly handle the action in the final sword fighting scene. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces; Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm and a young Nathaniel Parker to name a few... they all do an impressive job but it is Helena Bonham Carter who stands out for her portrayal of the tragic Ophelia; her breakdown after the death of her father and her apparent abandonment by Hamlet is almost painful to watch as it performed so well. While this is famously a tragedy that doesn't mean it there aren't moments of comedy which are still funny four hundred years after they were written. Director Franco Zeffirelli has cut down the script somewhat so that even though it is still over hours old it never drags and I didn't feel as if I was missing something… of course had a seen other versions first I may have felt differently. Overall I'd definitely recommend this anybody; it is a fine introduction to Shakespeare that makes it accessible without the need to modernise it.

Kirpianuscus What you could expect from an adaptation ? accuracy ? new versions of known performances ? inspired manner of director to translate in images his vision about text ? Hamlet by Zeffireli gives a drop from each of that. in a personal style. and that is far to be surprising. Hamlet by Mel Gibson is a surprise. powerful, impetuous, far by the wall of clichés about the Danish prince who becomes almost Meridional. and, more important, alive. not the best, sure. but useful for discover a new form to give to him strong traces. Glen Close and Alan Bates are the inspired options for the balance. Helena Bonham Carter - the expected Ophelia. condensed story, precise, mix of costumes and rooms, beautiful - and what film by Zeffireli could be ugly ? -, it is a form of introduction to Hamlet for young public. and this represents a real significant virtue.

jacobjohntaylor1 This is one of the greatest horror films I have ever seen. The play it is best on was written when stories where ether called comedy or drama. This has so mush in it about ghosts and murder that I consider it a horror movie. One of the best horror movies ever made. If you want to see a really scary movie see this one. If it does not scary you no movie will. This movie has great acting. It also has great special effects. It also has a great story line. The king of Denmark is haunted by the ghost of his father. The ghost tells him that his brother murdered him to get the throne. Hamlet (the king of Denmark) is out for revenge. The movie is a must see.

Armand beautiful images. precise direction. great cast. impressive performance. and magnificent essence of unique play. a Zeffireli. after his vision, result of his rules. aesthetic. and more. because the mark of this adaptation, not the best, not giant, not maybe, memorable, is the soul. each word, each face expression, each gesture is fruit of a profound feeling of a strange prey. sure, it is Shakespeare. but delicate manner to introduce in the Hamlet universe, the care for detail, the rough Scotland, the solutions for ordinaries problems of adaptations are worthy of respect. after Romeo and Juliet and mature experience, it is not a surprise. only form of seduction. because , more than a director work, it is a delight.