Hamlet (1990 film)
| Hamlet | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Franco Zeffirelli |
| Produced by |
Bruce Davey Dyson Lovell |
| Written by | Franco Zeffirelli Christopher De Vore |
| Based on | The play by William Shakespeare |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Ennio Morricone |
| Cinematography | David Watkin |
| Edited by | Richard Marden |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by |
Warner Bros. (North America) Carolco Pictures (International) |
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Release date
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December 19, 1990 (limited) January 18, 1991 |
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Running time
|
134 minutes |
| Country | United States United Kingdom France |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $20.7 million |
Hamlet is a 1990 American drama film based on the Shakespearean tragedy of the same name directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starring Mel Gibson as the eponymous character. The film also features Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Dillane, and Nathaniel Parker. It is notable for being the first film from Icon Productions, a company co-founded by Gibson.
In Denmark, Prince Hamlet finds himself involved in a conspiracy of power to the royal palace. Cruel uncle Claudius kills his brother and takes the power of the kingdom. After an encounter with the restless ghost of his murdered father, Hamlet feigns madness and plots to take vengeance.
Zeffirelli announced production of the film in April 1989 at a press conference in Los Angeles. Mel Gibson was at that same press conference, where it was announced that he would play Hamlet. Zeffirelli had set out to make a Shakespearian adaptation that would be accessible and appealing to younger viewers, and casting Gibson was considered an intent to lure said audience into seeing it. Glenn Close was another obvious choice, having had recent box-office success with such Hollywood thrillers as Jagged Edge and Fatal Attraction.
Financing was provided on loan from a Dutch bank by Carolco Pictures, Barry Spikings' Nelson Entertainment, and Sovereign Pictures, to the tune of roughly $16 million. Filming was set to begin on April 23, 1990, with an 11-week shooting schedule.
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