Mel Gibson vs. Kenneth Branaugh as Hamlet

Mel Gibson vs. Kenneth Branaugh as Hamlet First in an installment looking at the modern film versions of Shakespeare's plays by Lynn Davison Jr., Contributing Writer The recent "box office rebirth" of England's favorite bard has left Hollywood with much to do about interpreting Shakespeare's classic dramas. The characters of Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the gravedigger, and of course Hamlet himself take new life, as the greatest actors of our time assume these timeless roles. …

…Lemmon, Kenneth Brannagh's "Hamlet" is a sure-hit among devoted "Shakespeare-philes." Yet, the dynamic performances of the characters in Gibson's "Hamlet" guarantee that both movies are even better appreciated when viewed, and compared, together. One of the greatest aspects about Shakespeare's plays is the never-ending interpretations and expressions that can be made--not only by film makers with their elaborate scenery and all-star casts, but also by each of us as viewers and, hopefully, as readers too.