Rating: 
Summary: Brevity is the Soul of Wit...
Review: Shakespeare wrote well over 400 years ago and by today's 'quick editing/short attention span' standards, he was often long winded. A full production of HAMLET runs close to 4 hours. For those without the time (or patience), along comes this well abridged adaption at just over 2 hours! Mel Gibson's lethal weapon here is his wonderful clarity of the Bard's work, making it sound very natural. In fact, this film adaption cast is amongst the best at consistently handling the Shakespeare-Speak. Shot on location, the scenery and direction establish the character of the story very well and make this a surprising success in the realm of Shakespeare films. But, if you are a fan of the play, you may find that too much has been shaved away. These cuts make the film move swiftly along but on occasion break up logic. Hamlet is seen rather witty and boisterous in a scene, followed immediately by a scene where he is tormented and silent, which then turns to a third scene where he is again witty and loud. This should only offend people familiar with the work. (turn to Branagh's outstanding version if that is you...) Gibson's greatest contribution to the role is his confidence in showing wit, something usually missing from most performances (including Laurence Olivier's!). Glenn Close portrays Hamlet's mother and there are many 'incestuos' suggestions made throughgout the film, a very aggresive concept for a mainstream film. Other stand-out performances include Ian Holm, Alan Bates and Helena Bonham Carter. So, this beautiful film boasts a truncated screen adaption but offers very legitimate performances, direction and production design.
Rating:
Summary: Scofield
Review: There are arguments against this movie as a perversion of Shakespeare's Hamlet, in that it is not true to the play. While Franco Zeffirelli did indeed cut and re-assemble the sequence rather recklessly, the actors play the story superbly. All doubts of Mel Gibson's ability to do classical work was immediately erased in my mind. Where most actors struggle to find any humor in Hamlet (including, sadly, Olivier), Gibson uses humor magnificently to balance Hamlet's equally spontaneous wildness. And he can make the switch on a dime. But the real reason to watch this movie, the real reason that this movie should be seen by everyone everywhere, is Paul Scofield's portrayal of the Ghost of Hamlet's father. Witness a consummate actor breathe life into one of the most heart-wrenching texts ever set down. Beautiful.
Rating: 
Summary: I LOVED THIS VERSION OF HAMLET
Review: I loved this version Hamlet, and I thought the cast was superb. I never did understand why Mel Gibson was so hard on himself as far as his performance as the main character went. As usual,Glen Close was magnnificent and so was Helena Bonham Carter. Anyway, all I want to know now is WHEN IS IT GOING TO BECOME AVAILABLE ON DVD? It's a "keeper" for your home theater library!
Rating:
Summary: Mel Gibson shows his mettle as an actor!
Review: Mel Gibson is one of those actors whom unfortunately has been typecast by hollywood to play a certain role; the action hero. Here in this movie, i.e., Hamlet VHS ~ Mel Gibson, he is finnaly given the opportunity to be a more diverse actor and the result is quite good in fact. Ok, so Gibson will never dethrone Olivier , but for a man who is mostly synonimus with not so cerebral movies, e.g., Lethal Weapon series and Mad Max, his performance is stupenous and one wanders what kind of performance he would give in other Shakespeare roles. Highly Reccomended.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Hollywood Shakespeare...
Review: Let me explain my rating: 5 stars for drama and cast, 1 star for historical authenticity...avg: 3 stars. You'll have to understand that this Hamlet has been liberally snipped to fit into two hours or so (135min). There can be no doubt that this version is a compromise in many ways, but it is a good one, in my view. The more recent Kenneth Brannagh version is more historically true to the bards work, but Mel's version is one for today's (young) audiences. No tiresome strutting or preening here, just good ol' tragedy. I liked it. (Alas poor Yorrick, his scene got cut.)
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: Mel Gibson does a fantastic job portraying Hamlet. Every character in this movie is very close to how I had envisioned them when I read the book. The entire movie is acted out very well, and the fight scenes are very good. Hamlet is definitely my favorite work by Shakespeare, and this is definitely the best film version of Hamlet that I have seen so far. Even if someone is not a big fan of Shakespeare I'm sure that they would enjoy this movie.
Rating:
Summary: If your searching for Hamlet, Watch this!
Review: This is my favorite of all the Hamlet's. Mel Gibson proves why he is major box office. Besides the superb acting, the choice of what to cut is what makes this the best Hamlet of our time. If you're a purist, you may want to analyze why someone would cut three and a half hours down to this.
Rating: 
Summary: Zeffirelli's Hamlet: Dane or Dud?
Review: Seeing this video brought me close to tears...because it was downright awful. Being an ardent follower of Shakespeare and his works, I find this mangled version of Hamlet very disappointing to watch. It completely rewrote the original play of the Bard, therefore losing many elements Shakespeare carefully crafted to make it work. First of all, Fortinbras was not mentioned a single time, which is kind of sad because he is one of the principal characters that serve as a foil for Hamlet. His whole "O what a rogue and peasant slave am I" speech was miserably chopped down to bits, because the scene with the Player was totally obliterated. I got this version on video because I've always admired the superb acting prowess of Glenn Close, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ian Holm. Glenn Close, I think, kissed everyone WAY too much (I actually began to doubt her relationship with Hamlet as a mother), but that's my only complaint. Helena Bonham Carter was, by far, the best Ophelia I have ever seen, and especially makes Kate Winslet look like an idiot in Branagh's version of Hamlet. Ian Holm played as well as expected, and I sincerely believe that Mel Gibson should stay away from acting in Shakespeare. Kenneth Branagh did a much better job in his version. Claudius (Alan Bates) characterized the King terribly: instead of a figure you love to hate, he plays Claudius up as a happy-go-lucky fool. And speaking of chracters, Laertes was almost cut out of the picture. What happened to that? I have been studying Shakespeare for three years now, and I had the privilege of covering Hamlet in one of them. I've seen one stage production of Hamlet, and acted in one. Honestly, if you want a thorough examination of Hamlet, I suggest you get Kenneth Branagh's version, because this butchered version has lost most of its essence and meaning, and added new ones that Shakespeare never intended on doing so.
Rating:
Summary: Gibson brings Hamlet to life.
Review: Yes, the text is edited. Yes, some key scenes are missing. Yes, the incestuous relationship between mother and son is obvious. But you can't please everyone. For my money, this is the best Hamlet on tape. Mel Gibson IS Hamlet. From one actor to another: Good job Mel! One suggestion for viewers - if you have closed caption capability on your tv, use it. For first timers it makes the dialogue easy to follow. And if following along with the play you can see where they cut out scenes. Buy it and watch it, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: Methinks this production be a fine rendition of a great play. Mel Gibson doth play the part of the Prince quite well. He hath charisma and ability, both, and it cheered mine heart to see him perform the part. `Tis true the incestuous subtext of the play `tween Gertrude and Hamlet is perhaps o'er obvious. But a small quibble, as Lord Olivier thought such subtext 'twas at the heart of the play. Thou shalt enjoy this "Hamlet," methinks. It canst not be improved upon. I shalt see it again, anon. I bid you adieu.
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