Question 1

Why did Mel Gibson have to found his own production company for this film?

Accepted Answer

Mel Gibson founded Icon Productions to finance the movie because no major studio wanted to back a Shakespearean film.

Question 2

What inspired director Franco Zeffirelli to cast Mel Gibson as Hamlet?

Accepted Answer

Franco Zeffirelli reportedly wanted Mel Gibson for the title role after seeing his near-suicide scene in Lethal Weapon (1987).

Question 3

How unusual was the age difference between the actors playing Hamlet and Gertrude?

Accepted Answer

Glenn Close (Gertrude) is only nine years older than Mel Gibson (Hamlet), which was actually an improvement over the 1948 version where the actor playing Hamlet was older than the actress playing Gertrude.

Question 4

Which major awards recognized this adaptation of Hamlet?

Accepted Answer

The film was recognized by the Academy Awards (1991), BAFTA Awards (1992), and National Board of Review (1990 and 2000).

Question 5

What was Glenn Close's experience with Shakespeare before playing Gertrude?

Accepted Answer

This was Glenn Close's first Shakespearean role ever attempted on either stage or screen.

Question 6

Why did Mel Gibson found his own production company for this film?

Accepted Answer

Mel Gibson founded Icon Productions to finance this movie because no major studio wanted to back a Shakespearean film.

Question 7

What inspired director Franco Zeffirelli to cast Mel Gibson as Hamlet?

Accepted Answer

Franco Zeffirelli reportedly wanted Mel Gibson for the title role after seeing his near-suicide scene in Lethal Weapon (1987).

Question 8

What was unusual about the age difference between the actors playing Hamlet and Gertrude?

Accepted Answer

Glenn Close, who plays Gertrude, is only nine years older than Mel Gibson, who plays her on-screen son Hamlet. This was actually a smaller age gap than in the 1948 Hamlet film.

Question 9

Which major awards recognized this film?

Accepted Answer

The film was recognized by the Academy Awards (1991), BAFTA Awards (1992), and National Board of Review (1990 and 2000).

Question 10

What was Glenn Close's experience with Shakespeare before this role?

Accepted Answer

This was Glenn Close's first Shakespearean role ever attempted on either stage or screen.

Hamlet

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