2024·Drama·1h 57m
7.0
★
A tale of revenge that has stood the test of time, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy is reimagined for the modern day as a gripping psychological thriller! Transcending the confines of the stage, the film utilises nearly every room of the Theatre Royal Windsor to transform it into the immortal Elsinore Castle, from basement dungeon to roof-top battlement.
Directed by Sean Mathias
based on play or musical
hamlet
filmed play
live theatre
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Ian McKellen
Hamlet
Jonathan Hyde
Claudius
Jenny Seagrove
Queen Gertrude
Steven Berkoff
Polonius
Francesca Annis
Ghost
Frances Barber
First Player / Player Queen / Second Clown
Missy Malek
Osric / Player Prologue
Lee Knight
Rosencrantz / Guard
William Bozier
Player King / Dancer
Crew
Sean Mathias
Director
Neil Oseman
Director of Photography
William Shakespeare
Theatre Play
Sean Mathias
Adaptation
Popular Reviews
9 reviews
kata ruba
3.0★ · 02/06/26
whatever this movie was. first up, it felt like a documentary, probably cuz of some terrible shots. it also very much felt like a parody of Hamlet, very unserious. and what's up with breaking the fourth wall randomly? was it a try at comedy? it also had horror vibes somehow? and hamlet looks the same age as his mother? also, i get why ian was cast, he's a good actor, but why make Hamlet old? cuz as cool concept as it is, it doesn't make sense in a story revolved around family characters since he looks like he's the same age as his parents. wig pulling scene was crazy tho. and why was Hamlet kissing his mother like that?! only good thing is the acting of Ophelia and Laertes. to sum it all up, the movie tries way too hard
whatever this movie was. first up, it felt like a documentary, probably cuz of some terrible shots. it also very much felt like a parody of Hamlet, very unserious. and what's up with breaking the fourth wall randomly? was it a try at comedy? it also had horror vibes somehow? and hamlet looks the same age as his mother? also, i get why ian was cast, he's a good actor, but why make Hamlet old? cuz as cool concept as it is, it doesn't make sense in a story revolved around family characters since he looks like he's the same age as his parents. wig pulling scene was crazy tho. and why was Hamlet kissing his mother like that?! only good thing is the acting of Ophelia and Laertes. to sum it all up, the movie tries way too hard
Freya Faulkner
4.0★ · 05/11/25
if i was old and an english teacher i would love this version
if i was old and an english teacher i would love this version
Val
4.0★ · 04/25/25
Its a very well executed film for the contemporary ages. I dont really like how closed some shots are but all the same the text, being it Shakespeare makes it worthwile already. Its a good film dont mind me, its just that the pace lacks, some acting is inconsistent. And only Mckellen and some others shine out in their performances.
its watcheable, and it reminds you how good Shakespeare that is but except the monologues and some of it, its shallow. The text being a double edged sword
its watcheable, and it reminds you how good Shakespeare that is but except the monologues and some of it, its shallow. The text being a double edged sword
Its a very well executed film for the contemporary ages. I dont really like how closed some shots are but all the same the text, being it Shakespeare makes it worthwile already. Its a good film dont mind me, its just that the pace lacks, some acting is inconsistent. And only Mckellen and some others shine out in their performances.
its watcheable, and it reminds you how good Shakespeare that is but except the monologues and some of it, its shallow. The text being a double edged sword
its watcheable, and it reminds you how good Shakespeare that is but except the monologues and some of it, its shallow. The text being a double edged sword
Bowie
1.0★ · 02/27/24
Why is Hamlet old. Why is King Hamlet’s ghost a woman. Laertes? Why did Ophelia and Gertrude get buzz cuts? Where is the homoeroticism. What is happening. I’m so let down.(Minus points bcuz I am the only person under the age of 60 in this screening.)
Why is Hamlet old. Why is King Hamlet’s ghost a woman. Laertes? Why did Ophelia and Gertrude get buzz cuts? Where is the homoeroticism. What is happening. I’m so let down.(Minus points bcuz I am the only person under the age of 60 in this screening.)
DanSometimes
4.0★ · 02/27/24
Low budget creepy old hamlet. Ian mckellan is a goat but did not suit this role, especially in the more erotic scenes with much younger people. The original source material carried this enough, but Shakespeare lends itself perfectly to theatre, and the cinematography was based upon the set piece of a theatre, this had no reason to be a film, or to try and be a crime thriller. Still cool I guess. Swordfight was shoddily shot, nothing felt like it had stakes, just see a recording of the RSC benedict cumbebatch play.
Performances were all great, but in essence I feel the archaic abstract writing of Shakespeare did not present itself comfortably within this more layed bsck modern genre. I was the youngest in the audience and had a slight gen z fit of boredom throughout. The beginning was slow but as it became more theatrical, the better it became.
Why did he kiss his mum on the lips? I would rather watch demon slayer than this again.
Performances were all great, but in essence I feel the archaic abstract writing of Shakespeare did not present itself comfortably within this more layed bsck modern genre. I was the youngest in the audience and had a slight gen z fit of boredom throughout. The beginning was slow but as it became more theatrical, the better it became.
Why did he kiss his mum on the lips? I would rather watch demon slayer than this again.
Low budget creepy old hamlet. Ian mckellan is a goat but did not suit this role, especially in the more erotic scenes with much younger people. The original source material carried this enough, but Shakespeare lends itself perfectly to theatre, and the cinematography was based upon the set piece of a theatre, this had no reason to be a film, or to try and be a crime thriller. Still cool I guess. Swordfight was shoddily shot, nothing felt like it had stakes, just see a recording of the RSC benedict cumbebatch play.
Performances were all great, but in essence I feel the archaic abstract writing of Shakespeare did not present itself comfortably within this more layed bsck modern genre. I was the youngest in the audience and had a slight gen z fit of boredom throughout. The beginning was slow but as it became more theatrical, the better it became.
Why did he kiss his mum on the lips? I would rather watch demon slayer than this again.
Performances were all great, but in essence I feel the archaic abstract writing of Shakespeare did not present itself comfortably within this more layed bsck modern genre. I was the youngest in the audience and had a slight gen z fit of boredom throughout. The beginning was slow but as it became more theatrical, the better it became.
Why did he kiss his mum on the lips? I would rather watch demon slayer than this again.