Hamlet (2000)

Campbell Scott directs and stars in this not-quite-modern-dress version of Hamlet. A production can easily lose itself in attempting such a notorious great work of literature, but this one largely keeps its head. The film starts with a few silent establishing scenes--a nice touch when one already knows the characters. Some well-thought-out stage business also enhances the play, such as Gertrude frolicking with Claudius just outside an open window while Hamlet delivers his first soliloquy. Occasionally cinematic concerns seem to get in the way--the production appears so concerned with making the old King Hamlet's ghost scary that it forgets to make him ominous--and every now and then Scott falls into the self-indulgent traps that directors who cast themselves as Hamlet tend to. Overall, however, the performances are quite good. Blair Brown gives Gertrude more depth and intelligence than most actresses, and Lisa Gay Hamilton fights her way through some difficult mad-scene direction to give a fine performance as Ophelia. Roger Guenveur Smith does excellent work as Laertes--he is thoroughly comfortable with Elizabethan English and gives a lovely, understated performance. The DVD includes The Making of Hamlet. --Ali Davis Amazon.com

A FINE ADAPTATION

The Hallmark Entertainment release "Hamlet," adapted and directed by Campbell Scott and Eric Simonson, is a unique interpretation of the most celebrated drama in the English language. The crew does a great job of bringing the story into the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. The film is beautifully shot, and the sets are breathtaking.
The cast overall does a fine job. Campbell Scott gives a fine performance as Hamlet, bringing a unique spin to the role. In this version, you get the sense that Hamlet is actually going mad, and Scott pulls it off very well. He's no Branagh, but he comes danged close. Roscoe Lee Browne is fantastic as Polonius, bringing a hint of tenderness to the role. My only complaints in terms of acting are two: Jamey Sheridan, who seems to do nothing but quote the lines without putting any real emotion into the role as Polonius; and Sam Robards, who is weak in the role of Fortinbras. The rest of the cast, including Lisa Gay Hamilton, Blair Brown and John Benjamin Hickey, give strong supporting performances.
Overall, this version of "Hamlet" is a fine representation of Shakespeare's masterpiece. It's not fantastic, but it is a good film that those who love Shakespeare will enjoy, and will make the play accessible to those who don't ordinarily read the Bard.
Grade: B+ September 24, 2007

A Poem Limited?

I apologize in advance to future customers who are looking for a version of Hamlet to purchase based upon the reviews left by us Shakespearean wags. In the below reviews, near all praise Campbell Scott's enactment above that of Kenneth Branagh; I, however, couldn't disagree more. I purchased Campbell Scott's version based upon the glowing reviews, but now after watching it I confess I am thoroughly disappointed for several reasons. (I shall mention only five.)

First, as Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University, writes, Hamlet is "a meditation upon human fragility in confrontation with death." Act V Scene i, where Hamlet returns to Denmark and is walking through the cemetery with Horatio, is horribly truncated. Hamlet's soliloquy on his wonderment over the brevity of life is lost. Moreover, Act V marks a "conversion" in Hamlet, or at least his transformation. Scott presents Hamlet as a steady-lined character throughout the story. The Hamlet of Act III is strangely the same as the Hamlet in Act V in Scott's version. What I liked so much about Branagh's edition is that Act V showed a tempered Hamlet, one who is slowly checking his madness to the ruling of providence. I was never convinced of Hamlet's genius in Scott's version; he did not stand out amongst the other characters. In Branagh's version, there was no question who was guiding the play. Branagh played the lunacy and brilliance of Hamlet well, climaxing in his rage against Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act III Scene ii ("Will you play upon this pipe?") and the death of Polonius, and then in taking up the part of death's scholar against the reality principle of mortality of the Gravedigger in Act V.

Second, Horatio, though splendidly performed by John Benjamin Hickey, was not the "timeless" observer that seems present in Shakespeare's play. Horatio's suicidal temptation to follow his dear friend at the end of the play as well as Hamlet's charge for Horatio to abide to tell his story are cut out from Scott's edition. "Through Horatio we the audience contaminate the play" (Bloom). In Scott's edition, Horatio seemed reduced to a mere minor character. Nicholas Farrell's portrayal in Branagh's edition is awesome--so passionate and loyal to his dear friend, Hamlet, and he is hauntingly present all throughout the play.

Third, Jamey Sheridan's portrayal of Claudius is not worth to be compared to that of Derek Jacobi in Branagh's version.

Fourth, the music in Scott's version is, for my taste, annoyingly minimalistic. What was so satisfying about Branagh's version is that you "felt" that you were in the company of royalty all throughout the play. The evening meal in Scott's edition pales in comparison to the wedding coronation in Branagh's. The first introduction of the royal family feels nothing of royalty in Scott's edition.

Fifth, the costumes and sets were a bit daft in Scott's edition. In Branagh's version, the costumes tell the story along with the script. Hamlet, dressed in all black in Acts I-IV, wears white upon his return from England. Claudius, dressed in white in Acts I-IV, wears black until the play's end. Costumes followed conscience and vice-versa. Everything in Scott's edition felt static and "grey." Moreover, how pathetic was Hamlet's funeral march in Scott's edition compared to the regal respect shown in Branagh's?

Based upon the glowing reviews for Scott's edition by the folk below, you would perhaps be foolish not to at least watch Campbell Scott's version of Hamlet--it has many laudable qualities (the Player King and Ophelia to name but two). We all have our preferences in such matters do we not? One person's masterpiece is another's flop. In my gentle opinion, however, Hamlet, that great "Poem Unlimited," feels rather "limited" in Scott's edition.
April 14, 2007

Overall, better than Bragnah...

What is the difference between reciting the "to be or not to be" soliquly on the floor with slitted wrists or standing in front of a mirror? One answer: ACTING. I had seen Kenneth Bragnagh's Hamlet not too long ago when I lost intrest in the play, the intrest came back after recently leaning of another version tobe released next year. Out of nowhere, I saw this preview for this film version of "Hamlet" I watched the preview 20 times or more before I just recieved it yesterday. All in all, this is the definite version of the play. People have said that Bragnah's version is the best because of it being uncut. While, I can't argue that it's true about it being uncut...I can argue that it's the best. No American actors have attempted to do "Hamlet" since Kevin Kline's phenomal performance in Bryant Park back in 1990. And let me say, the setting for this modern interpretation was a good choice made by both Eric Simmons and Campbell Scott. The setting being in the post Civil War era makes it all the better, and best yet a time we can relate to. Blair Brown is a stand alone Gertrude, her presence is pleasant and eery all at once...and she's the first actress in Hamlet history to be old to play the mother of the Danish prince. The other stand alone performances include that of: Michael Imperoli (Rosecrantz), John Guenver Smith (Lartes), and John Benjamin Hickey (Horatio). But the best performance has to come from that of the Danish prince himself...CAMPBELL SCOTT, or in other words; Hamlet. Kenneth I felt rushed through the monologue and felt he was trying to be the funny man Bragnah we all know and cherish...that is not how Hamlet is suppose to act. Campbell Scott, however, seems to be more relaxed in the role of Hamlet considering before the filming he had played the torture soul in the theatre. Now, it's intended that Hamlet was playing "mad" but Campbell makes you believe if the young prince is really going insane. That is how Shakespeare WANTED Hamlet to be played. Mr. Scott plays everything out well, from Hamlet's temper tantrums to his sudden rage to his gentle soul leaking through. The directing is terrific, the underscore is jazzy and ballad-like, and the scenery of a post civil war manor is to die for. If I could answer the question "to see or not to see?"....SEE this Hamlet and see how the other verions are suppose to be. July 23, 2006

I really enjoyed this Hamlet

As a student studying Shakespeare, I have to chosen to watch as many different versions of these films as I like. I watched the Hamlet film with Mel Gibson, and I did not like it at all. I think that it is way to dark, and to tell the truth, I do not think that Gibson did all that great of job with the role. This version of Hamlet though, I love. Campbell Scott did a wonderful job, I really enjoyed watching him play Hamlet. He delivers the lines beautifully, and does an amazing job making you believe that Hamlet was really Human. Gibson's Hamlet seemed to me like a dark haunted creature, but Scott's seemed like a real person.

While the file has it flaw's, like Ophelia, her charecter could have been stronger, and the music did need a little help. It was all in all the best Hamlet I have seen.

Now, I have NOT seen the Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, which many people say is the best, but I am going to see it as soon as I have the time. I do believe that is this my favorite version. November 29, 2005

The most believable Hamlet

I teach Shakespeare classes to adults and have a personal collection of seven VHS and DVD versions of Hamlet. Campbell Scott is by far the most believable, and my students have chosen it as their favorite version. Claudius is pefect--a smiling smiling villain absolutely capable of secucing his sister-in-law and murdering his brother. The casting of Polonius, Ophelia and Laertes worked well. The second choice of my students is the Mel Gibson, which had been number one until they saw Campbell Scott. The scene in the room where they have stored away all reminders of the old king is brilliant. Great film. April 7, 2005

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