HAMLET

"I donīt care what they say...I donīt give a shit."

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In 1989 Franco Zeffirelli persuaded Mel to star in a movie version of Hamlet. The budget for the film was substantial-$15 million, most of which reputedly came from the Warner Bros, which helped finance the film with the support of the starīs new production company, Icon Productions. The company (Warner) was nervous, and so was Melīs agent, Ed Limato, who expressed his disapproval. News of Gibsonīs reincarnation as the Prince of Denmark was greeted with great incredulity. Besides the enormity of taking on perhaps Shakespeareīs most exalted work, Mel would also be walking in the footsteps of some renowned actors, including Lawrence Olivier and Derek Jacob. but Mel threw himself enthusiastically into the project. He had to learn how to skilfully sword fight and ride a horse. Once again, he tried to give up smoking and managed to stay off cigarettes for parts of the five-month shoot.       The film was shot at Shepperton Studios near London and at locations in castles along the Kentish and Scottish coasts.       The role proved physically demanding for Mel in many ways. At one stage, he was losing almost 9 pounds of body weight every day. Mel was close to a nervous breakdown, so he was very glad when shooting came to an end.       The reviews in the United States and Australian were almost entirely favourable. Reservations were strongest in the United Kingdom, where there was a royal premičre for Hamlet at the Odeon Haymarket, presided by the Duchess of York.       Mel didnīt received an Oscar for the part but he was given a Will Award by the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. Gibson was the fifth recipient, joining Joseph Papp, Kevin Kline, Chrustopher Plummer and Kenneth Branagh. "I couldnīt sleep at night with this character. It was like something that kind of ruled your whole life" "There are moments playing Hamlet that make you want to rip your hair out because he is the most confounding character ever written."

Director: Franco Zeffirelli Producer: Dyson Lovell Photography: David Watkin Editor: Richard Marden Music: Ennio Morricone Cast: Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Ian Holm, Helena Bonham-Carter. Drama Released by Warner Brothers Language: English Color