Hamlet

Laurence Olivier (1948)

147min

U Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Tom Hutchinson

Laurence Olivier directed and stars in this astonishing Shakespeare adaptation, which won four Academy Awards, including best actor for Olivier himself. Desmond Dickinson's camerawork adds mood to the moment as Larry's blond-headed Prince Hamlet wanders around Elsinore Castle, ambiguously pursuing Ophelia (Jean Simmons), berating his mother (Eileen Herlie) and stalking his new stepfather (Basil Sydney). (Olivier also played the ghost of Hamlet's father, to eerie effect.) For the sake of pace - and the film certainly has that! - adapter Alan Dent removes the supporting characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, while William Walton's music adds atmospheric lustre. Despite all the cuts, this is a very great Dane.

Summary

The Prince of Denmark is haunted by the suspicious death of his father and his mother's sudden remarriage to his power-hungry uncle, and compelled by a ghostly visitation to seek revenge. Shakespearean drama, directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, with Eileen Herlie, Basil Sydney, Jean Simmons, Peter Cushing and Patrick Troughton.

Cast & Crew

Hamlet Laurence Olivier

Gertrude Eileen Herlie

Claudius Basil Sydney

Horatio Norman Wooland

Polonius Felix Aylmer

Laertes Terence Morgan

Ophelia Jean Simmons

Osric Peter Cushing

Gravedigger Stanley Holloway

Francisco John Laurie

Marcellus Anthony Quayle

Sea captain Niall MacGinnis

Player King Patrick Troughton

Director Laurence Olivier

Other Information

Language: EnglishBlack and whiteAvailable on: video, DVD and Blu-ray

Drama

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Laurence Olivier (1948)

Review

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Cast & Crew

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