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Hamlet [Region 2] | ![Hamlet [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31J7WRNHQYL._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Michael Almereyda
Actors: Ethan Hawke, Kyle Maclachlan, Diane Venora, Sam Shepard, Bill Murray
Category: DVD
Buy New: $119.00
New (1) Used (1) from $28.03
Rating:  130 reviews
Sales Rank: 229235
Format: Pal
Languages: German (Original Language), English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: 500191
EAN: 4006680022758
ASIN: B00005JCKT
Theatrical Release Date: 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Perhaps the least important thing about this latest film version of Shakespeare's masterpiece is its setting in modern-day New York. Yes, such locales as the Guggenheim Museum are used wittily; answering machines and faxes are logically worked into the plot; and it was both inspired and entirely appropriate to make the prince of Denmark a moody, introspective filmmaker whose avant-garde collages provide the context for some of his famous monologues. All of which would be so much pleasantly humorous eye-candy if it didn't come hand in hand with a sympathy for and understanding of this remarkable cast of characters. For that, ultimately, is what makes Michael Almereyda's Hamlet such a delight to watch. Forget that the immortal rumination on suicide is placed in a Blockbuster Video aisle and notice instead how Ethan Hawke's own youthful, callow arrogance makes Hamlet's vacillations believable. And how the comical but infantilizing way Bill Murray's Polonius dotes upon his daughter Ophelia (Julia Stiles)--and her mute acceptance of his attentions--lead her to thoughts of a watery grave even before her bout of madness. And also notice how much Claudius truly does love Gertrude (when gazing at her, Kyle MacLachlan's face relaxes from its usual plasticity) and how Sam Shepard's ghost is less vengeful or tortured than stiffened by remorse. These are the shining moments of invention in Almereyda's bold updating of the play, and they are why this will be a film to watch and enjoy long after its setting has made it as much a period piece as Olivier's adaptation, with its broodingly lit castle, or Branagh's, with its gleaming 19th-century court. --Bruce Reid
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| Customer Reviews: Read 125 more reviews...
Techno-babel Hamlet February 13, 2009
W. R. Doar III (Columbia, SC)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I unique addition to my collection. I am collecting as many of the different video Shakespeare productions and this a good addition to my collection.
 Laertes is Awesome December 8, 2008
Lisa Shea
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Normally I don't really get into Shakepeare that has been transplanted into modern times, but I think this 2000 version set in modern day New York City does a wonderful job of making that transition smoothly. The "kingdom" is now a large corporation which Hamlet's uncle has taken over. Fortinbras is an interloper looking to make a corporate takeover. You have modern young adults with their angst about life, which is quite believable. I really didn't have a problem with "Shakespearian English" being spoken - I fell into the rhythm of that quite easily.
I really tried to like Ethan Hawke as Hamlet. He definitely had the angst down. However, Hamlet was supposed to be incredibly witty and crafty. This Hamlet seemed mopey. A particular scene that bothered me is when Hamlet barges into his uncle's office ready to kill him. In the regular story Hamlet was about *in*action.
Ophelia was too snotty / eye-rolling. She is supposed to be very dutiful, following her father's orders without question. When she goes mad, she's supposed to be cheerful at her father's death. Instead she is (rightfully) grieving which doesn't make her mad, it makes her sane. I think the best scene with her was the break-up scene. This is one of the only versions I've seen where you really get a sense that this is a couple breaking up, that they loved each other and have a real emotional strain. The fact that Hamlet's emotions "turn" when he realizes Ophelia's father is listening in adds meaning.
Speaking of dad, I know Polonius is supposed to be half-comic but he's also supposed to be half-serious. Bill Murray played him straight as a bumbling idiot which was a shame. The "saying goodbye to his son" scene especially bothered me. It seemed very cold. In most versions this is a meaningful "final talk" between father and son.
Which comes to one of my favorite two cast members. Laertes. I really think this is the best Laertes in all the versions I've seen. Liev Schreiber is awesome. When he says goodbye to Ophelia you really get the sense that he loves his sister - and his talk with her about "be cautious with Hamlet" is delivered with honest caring, not with the snotty overbearingness that many other Laertes put into the talk. Later when he comes back after his father's death, you again really get the sense that Laertes loved his father, loved his sister dearly. In other versions Laertes is about rage. Here Laertes really loved his family and you can feel it.
The second cast member I think was awesome was, ironically, the Ghost :) In most versions the Ghost is an incredibly wooden, pasty character only there to recite some lines and vanish again. Given that the Ghost is the whole reason Hamlet does everything, that is a great shame. Here, the Ghost shows up multiple times and he has a real character. You get a sense that he was a firm, powerful executive who is furious at his conniving brother, disappointed in his wife and loves his son dearly. I am very impressed with this Ghost.
Kyle MacLachlan also deserves credit as one of the best Claudius characters. Usually it is really hard to figure out why Gertrude would have jumped for the Claudius in the show, or why the people love him so. Here you really can see Kyle's manipulating charisma, his sliminess and his oozing appeal all at once. He is definitely the scheming younger brother who has chafed in his brother's shadow for years and finally couldn't take it any more. You see this in the later scenes too, where he hits Hamlet. He is simmering, the heat cranks up, and finally he can't take it any more. I think this interpretation was very well done and far more believable than most other versions I've seen.
Gertrude, on the other hand, is very cold. She hardly flinches when she's told her son is mad. She is embarassed at Ophelia's madness!! That was just *wrong*. She is supposed to love Ophelia and be really emotionally upset by Ophelia's downfall, not worried about what the crowd might think.
I have many negative feelings about the ending fencing fight. I disagreed with how they did that for many reasons.
Someday I'll have to chop up all the Hamlet versions with video editing software and create a "master Hamlet" with my favorite Horatio, favorite Laertes and so on to see how they would all work together. I'd definitely take Laertes and the Ghost from this one. Maybe Claudius. The rest, however, will stay on the cutting room floor.
Still, fun to watch for those characters' scenes, and well worth having in your library.
 Modern Shakespeare November 11, 2007
Bonnie C. Wilson (bonniece)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Great video. I used it in the classroom and showed several clips to coincide with the text. The casting director made some great choices and the director stays true to Shakespeare's story as he would want it told. The "To be or not to be" soliloquy is done beautifully--very introspective and spoken as Hamlet walks through a Blockbuster. There are a few things taken out of order, but only done for cinematic effect.
THE PERFORMANCES ARE A LETDOWN September 21, 2007
Steven Hancock (Winston Salem, NC United States)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The idea of setting Shakespeare's masterpiece in modern-day New York proves to be a good one. The film's ominous tone and dark quality give the story a very ominous tone. Sadly, the film is nearly ruined by the acting. Most of the performers in this piece do nothing but recite the lines, failing to put emotional "umph" behind the characters, making this film nearly undramatic.
Ethan Hawke is a great actor, but doesn't have what it takes to play the Prince of Denmark. Kyle MacLachlan tries as Claudius, but isn't very convincing. Most of Ophelia's lines are mostly cut from the play, so Julia Stiles has little to do, but she's descent when she has the chance. And Bill Murray has NO place in a Shakespeare film. In terms of acting, the two stand-out performances are by Liev Schreiber, who's performance as Laertes is more tender than in recent portrayals; and Sam Shepard gives a very powerful performance as the Ghost of Hamlet's father.
Overall, this version of "Hamlet" is a disappointment due to some lackluster performances by what should have been a first-rate cast. It's hard to know who to recommend this film to. I'd say skip this version of "Hamlet," and check out either Branagh's four-hour masterpiece, or Zeffirelli's film starring Mel Gibson.
Movie/DVD Grade: C
 Ugh June 12, 2007
C. Lunde
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
Um...I don't even know WHAT to say. I just finished watching this monstrous perversion (then again, I saw the Branagh version recently; and not by accident, I am a "Hamlet" fiend). Maybe the low rating has something to do with that.
Bad acting--which doesn't do justice to the timeless script--ruins it all. Answering machines? Gimme a break.
Branagh can beat Hawke up with an envenomed foil any day.
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