Shakespeare Fans discussion

Whatever people personally feel about Mel Gibson, the Hamlet starring him is the best I have ever seen. From his performance, to the costumes and set, to other performances, it is amazing. Glenn Close as the queen and Helena Bonham Carter as Ophelia round out a great cast.

Lichen wrote: "Whatever people personally feel about Mel Gibson, the Hamlet starring him is the best I have ever seen..."

Yes, funny or not, Mel Gibson and the Doctor - David Tennant - did terrific Hamlets. The latter has edged out others for me.

Bird Brian wrote: "The David Tennant version is my favorite, but Kenneth Brannaugh's version is also well worth the watching. Kate Winslet does an insane Ophelia better than any other I've seen."

Oh. My. Goodness!!!!!! I was about to post how much I really want to watch David Tennant's Hamlet and there you go!! it's already posted except a little different from my option written in my head of course.

I've read the play about 4 times already, and I have yet to watch an adaptation!! I have the Kenneth Brannagh version. I really should watch it

Brannagh`s Hamlet is amazing, and one of the more complete versions out there right now. Tennants is worth it for his performance, and credit where due, I enjoyed Gibson, but find it the dark horse in the race. I would give anything to have seen Barrymores version, it really was the precursor to a more intimate, cerebral Hamlet.

In the Brannaugh version, he takes bold liberties with film, editing in flash-backs while the characters continue their dialogue. For example, quick cuts to and away from Kate Winslet and Brannaugh in a lusty bedroom scene.

It shocked me at first, but cinematically, it makes sense.

About ten years ago, I had the opportunity to ask a very-respected, word-class Shakespearean director about Gibson's performance as I have often thought it to be one of the better, if not the best performance I have seen of the title character in a film version of Hamlet, as compared with others -- though I did exclude Olivier from the question at the time.

The response I received to the best of my recollection (and I paraphrase): "Kenneth speaks the words beautifully, but Mel is more visceral and believable in the role."

I breathed a sigh of relief, having been almost embarrassed to ask the question and feeling like something of an idiot for having even brought it up. How could Mad Max play Hamlet? Martin Riggs as the Dane? Several pretentious friends had already ridiculed my suggestion that Mel was actually a good actor, more than just an action star. It was nice to get confirmation from someone who might be considered something of an authority on the matter.

Also, the Mel Gibson version was also directed by the brilliant Franco Zeffirelli and starred Glenn Close, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, Alan Bates among other notable actors. It's worth checking out.

For the record, I agree that Kenneth Branagh speaks beautifully and will add that he is an excellent actor, but I think Mel's actually got a bit more talent as an actor while Branagh might have more skill and perhaps more refinement in his performances. Both of them are excellent actors and directors in their own rights. However, on the acting front I wish Richard Burton had done a proper film version as he had the speaking and visceral acting talent of both Branagh and Gibson combined, which in no way diminishes either of those two gentlemen. Burton was a monster actor.

For anyone interested in seeing Burton play Hamlet, the closest thing one can find is a filmed version of a Broadway play, but watching it for the purpose of comparing is kind of like holding up a live concert bootleg to a studio record by a musician. Whatever the case, while it doesn't really make for a fair comparison, the stage version is amazing nonetheless.


Fun side note: In case you didn't notice, the movie 'Strange Brew' is in many ways a retelling of Hamlet.

Tennant does it for me, and that production also features the most compelling treatment of Polonius that I have ever seen. He is played as man who takes joy in his knowledge and wisdom, yet betrays an awareness that his mental faculties are diminishing with age; it is tragic and touching. Of course there are the less appealing aspects of Polonius's character, including his officiousness, pedantry, and dominance over his daughter, but the portrait of the declining intellectual is moving.

I guess I'll throw in my $.02. I have seen Gibson, Branagh, Hawke, and Tennant (in that order). It is sort of a tie between KB and DT for my favorite adaption depending on what mood I'm in. I would place Gibson third best and Hawke last. I have not seen Olivier's version yet but I plan to. this being my favorite Shakespeare play means that I am extra-critical when reviewing an adaptation of it (direct or otherwise).

I have finally seen the David Tennant! It is sooo good. It has also turned me into a Dr. Who fan, which I was not before. I dislike Olivier his iciness in the part: in several places in the play Hamlet bemoans his own passions, ( the scene where he praises Horatio for being a man who is not to be played like a pipe), so a cold-blooded "Danish" serving of Hamlet never felt right to me. Which is why I like David Tennant and Mel--the Zefferelli film is quite well made and stays strongly in my memory. Mel makes a few gaffs, but there are quite a few scenes that he plays right. I love the "At Supper" weirdness especially, and I like Helena's Ophelia best. Branagh has in his favor that he always reads to me as if he is acting--one of his weaknesses as an actor, but good in some ways for the part of Hamlet, the consummate actor.

The important point being: it's turned you into a Dr Who fan. :} What took you? Climb aboard.

Ken wrote: "I guess I'll throw in my $.02. I have seen Gibson, Branagh, Hawke, and Tennant (in that order). It is sort of a tie between KB and DT for my favorite adaption depending on what mood I'm in. I would..."

To Ken and any other Hamlet fan:

I'd love you to listen to my version of the story of Hamlet...written in rap and rhyme. It's part of a book I wrote recently called, "Rap-Notes: Shakespeare's Greatest Hits."
Click here: http://wdrv.it/UARMNr

I'd love to know what you think.
Bob

Good job Bob. Very cleaver interpretation. Was this for students in your class?

Ken wrote: "Good job Bob. Very cleaver interpretation. Was this for students in your class?"

Ken-
These raps and my book, Rap-Notes: Shakespeare's Greatest Hits, is written for ALL middle- and high-school kids who might be a wee bit afraid of Shakespeare because of the difficult language. It's also for adults like you who love Shakespeare as much as I do and might like to hear a comedic portrayal of the plays.

My students are actually elementary school age, but I am writing a Grammar Rap book for them.

With Brangah I always feel his Hamlet is in control, that everything he does is an act. Mel tends to bring the crazy out more (and no surprise, Zeferlli cast him based on his suicidal portrayal as Riggs in Lethal Weapon) comparing them is comparing two different interpretations. The question you have to ask is, was the Prince really crazy or not.

I think Winslet's Ophelia is better then HBC's and despite Zeferlli's strong cast, Brangah's is superior (with the exception of the normally great Jack Lemmon and Billy Crystal)

Olivier, Olivier, Olivier.

Branagh, Branagh, Tennant.

I first loved Branagh despite his princely ego. Then I went crazy for Tennant's wildness. Mel is just too old to be Hamlet (just my prejudice) But my students watched excerpts from these three and Olivier's: no contest. He IS Hamlet: the monologues in silence, the way he drapes himself over the chairs as if he owns the place (and should), the way he walks the line between grief, rage and insanity. Love them all, but can't forget the big O.

ah .. I just mentioned the BBC version with Tennant on another thread - I found it to be excellent.
I found the Zefirelli/Gibson film extremely dull.

I've seen several of the Hamlet's on DVD, with actors including: Tennant, Gibson, Branagh, Olivier, Jacobi, Plumber, Williamson, Kline, Burton, Will Houston, and Campbell Scott - both US and foreign versions, and for my money, the best(?) is the Russian-produced Hamlet (1964) directed by Grigori Kozintsev, with music by Dmitri Tiomkin and gorgeous black and white photography, reminiscent of German expressionism.

You can see clips here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp5Rz0...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr4xI8...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRO9BA...