VCCS Litonline Introduction to Literature
English 112 (English Composition II)

The Hamlet Site

Watching the Zeffirelli Movie

Objective for this Page: To introduce the cast, production people, and tips for watching this movie.

NOW  SHOWING 

Franco Zeffirelli's stunning production of Hamlet,* starring these actors

Cast of Characters

supported by these production people

music by Ennio Morricone
 
screenplay by Christopher De Vore & Franco Zeffirelli

production design by Dante Ferretti

directed by Franco Zeffirelli

(*Click the marquee or the title, above, to visit the IMDB site   for Hamlet (1990), which has a more complete list of the cast and production team with links to each in the IMDB, plus a Polish poster of Mel/Hamlet, your chance to rate the movie, trivia, goofs, reviews, and more--including a glossary of movie-making terminology.)

As you watch the videotape of Enrico Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet with Mel Gibson and company, consider patterns under the various "staging elements." Assume, as usual, that nothing in a production is accidental. That means every element of staging, every repositioning of the camera, each costume, each line of dialog is designed to enhance the theme--the meaning--of the play.

Considering Staging Elements in the Movie

General Preview

Considering Staging Elements of Selected Scenes  

III, i, 90-141: Ophelia baits Hamlet & he tests her.  

III, i, 56-89: Hamlet's "To be or not . . ." Soliloquy

III, iv, 1-217: Hamlet converts Gertrude