---
title: "Hamlet: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/hamlet-1990/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/hamlet-1990"
critics_score: 64
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Hamlet (1990): what the critics said

Critics' score 64 from 7 reviews: 2 positive, 4 mixed, 1 negative.

The recorded scores suggest a mixed reception for Zeffirelli’s Hamlet, with praise clustering around the performances. In the accessible reviews, Mel Gibson’s energetic, physical approach attracts approval even from critics with reservations about the adaptation. His humour also earns notice, while Helena Bonham Carter’s Ophelia and Glenn Close’s Gertrude receive individual praise. The favourable accounts value a vigorous, unfussy approach to Shakespeare rather than solemn reverence.

The division concerns how much that vigour achieves. Eye for Film finds Zeffirelli’s gamble successful, while Empire admires Gibson but finds the adaptation short on inspiration and audacity. The Los Angeles Times offers the sharpest objection: attractive images and creditable acting cannot compensate for coldness and the lack of a compelling interpretation. The scores span considerable enthusiasm to disappointment, but three review texts are unavailable, limiting how confidently their reasons can be included in the consensus.

## Radio Times — David Parkinson

Rating 4/5. 

Parkinson finds Zeffirelli’s adaptation surprisingly vigorous and gives a positive verdict. He praises Mel Gibson’s performance as Hamlet and Helena Bonham Carter’s portrayal of Ophelia.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-j9dkcv/hamlet/)

## The New York Times — Janet Maslin

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 1990. 

The New York Times page identifies this as a review of Zeffirelli’s Hamlet. The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be established.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/19/movies/review-film-from-mad-max-to-a-prince-possessed.html)

## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be reliably identified from the accessible text.

[Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hamlet-1991)

## Time Out — SGr

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The page identifies a review, but its verdict cannot be determined from the available text. No specific praise or complaint is available to report.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hamlet-4)

## Empire — Angie Errigo

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 1990. 

Errigo finds the film a mixed bag that ultimately holds its own, though it may leave some viewers indifferent or sleepy. She praises Mel Gibson’s vigorous, humorous performance, while finding the adaptation short on inspiration and audacity.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hamlet-review/)

## Los Angeles Times — MICHAEL WILMINGTON

Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 1990. 

Wilmington finds the film visually lovely and Gibson creditable, but ultimately cold and lacking a compelling interpretation. He especially praises Glenn Close, whose Gertrude brings electrifying shame and desire to her scenes.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-19-ca-6194-story.html)

## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2005. 

The critic finds Zeffirelli’s gamble successful and praises the film’s lively, unfussy approach to Shakespeare. Gibson’s energetic, physical performance as Hamlet is singled out as especially compelling.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/hamlet-1990-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/hamlet-1990.md