His desire to avenge his father’s death is evident from the horror prevailing in his eyes and his facial emotions. His energetic invasion of the royal castle with a sword portrayed that he is out for vengeance. His argument with Ophelia could have provided a solid foundation for the development of these themes such as revenge.Īlso, Michael Maloney in Branagh’s version is the perfect choice for the character of Laertes. Gibson’s failure to do this ruined the development of the themes of betrayal and revenge. He became aware that Ophelia is cheating on him and thus the audience expected him to exhibit aggressiveness in his soliloquy. This is shocking because he should have been more outrageous as his soliloquy is just after his confrontation with Ophelia. Helena Bonham Carter renders a distracted Ophelia.In Zeffirelli’s version, Gibson as Hamlet acts subtly throughout this entire soliloquy without any variety in his facial expressions. His facial expressions show his mental state. Mel Gibson brought an energy to his role not seen before. There was little science in either mideval Denmark or Elizabethan England. Why must we die? What is the point of life if we must die? Is there life after death? Heaven? Hell? Biblical thinking pervades the play. Shakespeare's greatest play asks life's biggest questions. 'To be or not to be.' In the graveyard, Hamlet contemplates the skull of a court jester he knew as a child. Its overwhelming concern is death in all its forms: murder, suicide and natural causes. We are told the themes of Hamlet are revenge, madness and procrastination.

Hamlet was directed by Franco Zefferelli who did Romeo and Juliet 22 years earlier.

The grays and browns of the middle ages contrast nicely with the colorful Glenn Close as Gertrude.

I cared nothing for Mad Max or his previous work. But it was his portrayal of the confused Dane which made me respect him as an actor. He confessed it only 'seemed' like he played Hamlet.

He lamented the film cut the 4 hour play in half and how it is more suited to the stage. Mel Gibson explained how Hamlet was shot out of sequence.

Zeffirelli hamlet full movie