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.

In 1990 William Shakespeare's Hamlet saw a new version.Its director is Franco Zeffirelli.The star of this movie is Mel Gibson, who's not known as the most Shakespearian actor.But he certainly doesn't fail in his job, on the contrary.Glenn Close gives a very good portrayal of his mother, Queen Gertrude.Alan Bates is terrific as King Claudius.Paul Scofield makes the scenes with the ghost of King Hamlet very vivid.Ian Holm, who turns 80 next week, is marvelous as Polonius.Helena Bonham Carter is brilliant as his daughter Ophelia.Trevor Peacock is magnificent as The Gravedigger.The late great Pete Postlethwaite plays Player King.Ennio Morricone is the man behind the music.This Hamlet is good, even though not the best adaptation made of Shakespeare's play.But I liked how Ophelia losing her mind was portrayed.And the tragic events that took place in the end.And the medieval times really comes to life in this movie, that was shot in actual castles.I have not seen a bad adaptation of the play.All of them have had something good.

On the surface, one might reasonably conclude that Mel Gibson and Glenn Close starring in Hamlet may be some kind of joke, a parody of the Shakespeare play, but there is no joke. This movie is for real and both Mr. Gibson and Ms. Close give commanding performances in their respective roles. This movie is proof that when given quality material under excellent direction, talented actors will flourish. The rest of the cast is stellar too, but this movie squarely revolves around the two lead characters and if their performances fail, then the whole movie fails. In recent years, Mel Gibson's reputation has taken hits, but there can be no denying that he is a gifted actor and in this movie presents a novel, dynamic interpretation of Hamlet that brings new life to the character, transforming a brooding young man into a man of action who takes charge and pays the price, wherein lays the tragedy. For Hamlet is a tragedy. However, unlike previous renditions of the play, which focus on the murky and somber, this rendition is lit up, the characters are active, Gertrude is young and beautiful, all of which make the ending even more provocative and powerful. This movie should have been nominated for an Academy Award in every major category; that it wasn't is perplexing. All in all, this movie represents another triumph for Franco Zefirrelli, once again who proves that Shakespeare can be produced for the screen, if you do it right.

I have not been impressed with most film adaptations off of Shakespeare's work. The only three movies based off of Shakespeare's plays that I would watch are Kurosawa's Ran, the 1970 version of Romeo and Juliet, and this adaptation of Hamlet. Even though many of the lead cast members are American, they pull off their roles wonderfully. Like many people, I'm used to seeing Mel Gibson as the tough Mad Max and the humorous Sergeant Riggs, but he gives an intense performance as hamlet. He merely doesn't stick to the play's dialog, but his eyes burn with an intensity that makes me think of the depressed, cunning, and vengeful Hamlet that is in the play. Ian Holm is perfect as the Polonius that I imagined from the play, the mumbling, sneaky, and funny but wise old man that works for the deceitful and treacherous Claudius. Helena Bonham Carter is youthful and pretty as Hamlet's doomed lover Ophelia. I can't help but smile when her character goes insane for her nonsense singing reminds much of her marvelous work as Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd. Paul Schofield as the ghost of Hamlet's father is not only frightening but moving as a lost and doomed soul. But the thing I liked most about this movie was that it did not retract itself from the Shakespearean language of the play. This not only held true to the play but also made the film itself accurate to the time period. In addition, the set-decoration by two-time Oscar winner Dante Ferretti and costume design by Maurizio Millenotti is beautiful. The score by Ennio Morricone (as he always does) sets the mood and pulls me into the film's story. However, like the play, the movie was slow and at times tiresome. Nonetheless, this is a great adaptation of Hamlet that should not be forgotten. 9/10