Hamlet (1948)

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Hamlet (1948) Poster

Prince Hamlet struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king.

7.6/10
15,572
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82 Metascore

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  • Laurence Olivier in Hamlet (1948)
  • Laurence Olivier in Hamlet (1948)
  • Hamlet (1948)
  • Laurence Olivier and Eileen Herlie in Hamlet (1948)
  • "Hamlet" Laurence Olivier 1948 Rank / Two Cities
  • Laurence Olivier and Jean Simmons in Hamlet (1948)

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Awards

Won 4 Oscars.

Another 12 wins & 8 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
17 August 2003 | didi-5
9
| the great moody Dane
It stands to reason that Larry Olivier's version of Hamlet is one of the best, and even if he was a little old for the role (in his forties by this time) it really is the perfect role for him.

One or two things to note - the camera angles and shots are often stunning, from above, using angles and shadows, extreme close-ups, and so on. This gives the sometimes ponderous adaptation atmosphere and the black and white photography is gorgeous. Amongst the supporting cast Jean Simmons is a childish, doting Ophelia but this works well. Not working so well are the soliloquies largely within Hamlet's head (and therefore, voiceover). This seems a little gimmicky and only really makes sense with 'To be or not to be'.

That aside, this really is Larry's show and he is brilliant. Despite a few cuts it does the original play proud and is, like Welles' Macbeth and Othello, a truly cinematic reading.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, a minor character in the play, does not appear in this movie. Some of his lines were given to Horatio.

Quotes

Narrator: So oft it chances in particular men / That through some vicious mole of nature in them, / By the o'ergrowth of some complexion / Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, / Or by some habit grown too much; that these men - / Carrying, I say, ...

Goofs

A clock is heard chiming the half-hour in Westminster chimes. If chiming clocks were invented at the time of the action they wouldn't sound the Westminster chimes which date only - as the name suggests - from the installation of the Big Ben clock in 1859.

Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue:

So oft it chances in particular men That through some vicious mole of nature in them, By the o'ergrowth of some complexion Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit grown too much; that these men - Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Their virtues else - be they as pure as grace, Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault.

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Drama

Details

Release Date:

11 June 1948

Language

English

Country of Origin

UK

Filming Locations

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP500,000 (estimated)

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