Hamlet

Play trailer

Hamlet

PG,

1991,

2h 15m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

76%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

59%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy about the young prince of Denmark who is plagued by indecision when he vows to avenge his father's murder. Filmed on location around the UK, including Stonehaven in Scotland, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast.

Critics Consensus

It may lack some of the depth and complexity of the play, but Mel Gibson and Franco Zeffirelli make a surprisingly successful team.

Read Critics Reviews

Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sep 23, 2025

A rousing, Cliffs Notes version of the Shakespeare classic.

Go to Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Nov 20, 2019

It's not at all a bad film.

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Jul 4, 2008

Performances all fall in a middle range between the competent and the lackluster.

Go to Full Review

Otis Stuart

OutWeek

May 19, 2020

The new film reverberates with a genuinely Shakespearean liveliness.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jun 6, 2012

C+

Starring Mel Gibson, Zeffirelli's Oscar-nominated version is colorful and mildly engaging, but lacking depth and poetry, and the two women are miscast.

Go to Full Review

Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

Feb 19, 2012

3.5/4

Alas, poor Mel Gibson! I knew him when he was on top of the world.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Hermione P

Jan 25, 2019

Greatest Hamlet ever. And if you don't think so, apparently you haven't read Shakespeare.

Finn P

Oct 5, 2018

I once watched this movie at school in English class in the ninth grade and I didn't understand anything that was going on throughout the whole entire film. I was even falling asleep during the movie because it was just so boring. It's not a bad movie, it's just a boring movie. At least the acting performances were good.

See more

Hermione R

Dec 19, 2017

Mel Gibson should do Shakespeare more often. He's fantastic as Hamlet.

Hagrid M

Nov 25, 2017

One of the best versions of Shakespeare's great tragedy ever filmed. Zeffirelli has assembled a uniformly brilliant cast and directs with economy and pace. The big surprise is how good Gibson is, playing with real intelligence and pain (and a faultless English accent). But Bates, Bonham Carter, Scofield et al match him. Highly recommended. Fine Ennio Morricone score too.

See more

Hermione P

May 27, 2017

best adaptation so far,why? the crazy eyes,at any given time Gibson's HAMLET is ready to burst to anger,funny yes,scary at times agree,those black and blue lay out costumes subliminal with the atmospheric background and all the actors acting par excellence

See more

Read all reviews

Franco Zeffirelli

Director

Mel Gibson

Hamlet

Glenn Close

Gertrude

Alan Bates

Claudius

Paul Scofield

The Ghost

Ian Holm

Polonius

The Heartbreak Kid

92%

73%

The Heartbreak Kid

Watchlist

The Man Who Captured Eichmann

60%

The Man Who Captured Eichmann

Watchlist

The Burning Bed

77%

The Burning Bed

Watchlist

Brian's Song

86%

82%

Brian's Song

Watchlist

Tommy

71%

71%

Tommy

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Now Streaming: Lawrence of Arabia, Insomnia, And More

View more photos

Synopsis

Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy about the young prince of Denmark who is plagued by indecision when he vows to avenge his father's murder. Filmed on location around the UK, including Stonehaven in Scotland, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast.

Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Producer: Dyson Lovell
Screenwriter: Christopher De Vore, Franco Zeffirelli
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Canal+, Icon Productions, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.2M
Runtime: 2h 15m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings