Hamlet (1948)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Wildaly M

  
  I didn't particularly like this adaptation mainly because of Laurence Olivier's acting. In my perspective, he delivers his lines without emotion and at times seems bored with what he is saying. In several scenes, the music seems to be intruding rather than adding drama to… More
  I didn't particularly like this adaptation mainly because of Laurence Olivier's acting. In my perspective, he delivers his lines without emotion and at times seems bored with what he is saying. In several scenes, the music seems to be intruding rather than adding drama to the film. Or maybe it was the angles of the cameras. Either way, I did not *feel it* when Olivier delivered the soliloquies. I also disliked the actress who played Ophelia. Her acting was not convincing at all. I suppose it has its merits as it is a mostly faithful rendition of the play but I think there's better versions out there (i.e. Branagh's version).

• Chris W

  
  Some consider this to be the definitive screen version of Hamelt, and, while I don't agree with that (and also don't think it should have necessarily taken top honors at the Oscars), I do think this is a very enjoyable and well done take on the story. Olivier might have… More
  Some consider this to be the definitive screen version of Hamelt, and, while I don't agree with that (and also don't think it should have necessarily taken top honors at the Oscars), I do think this is a very enjoyable and well done take on the story. Olivier might have been a bit too old to play the lead, and the woman playing his mother was actually quite younger than him, and there is a fair amount of the story that has been removed, but aside from all that, there's a lot to like here. Much of the film is still framed and staged as if it were a play, but this gives everything a unique look to it. There's also some great gothic and somewhat film-noirishness to the art direction and set design- namely the cavernous chambers of the castle. The film als ohas a wonderful mood and atmosphere going for it, which really enhance this version's focus on the psychological side of the story. The acting is quite strong, as one might expect given Olivier's reputation, but he's not the only one who excels here. In fact, most if not all of the players do a terrific job. I actually prefer the Branagh version, as epic an undertaken it is to watch, mostly I think, because it was just more ambitious, even if it tweaked the time period. This is still a really good version though, even if I didn't feel it lived up to its reputation.

• Jeremy S

  
  The definitive cinematic rendition of Hamlet. However, Kenneth Branagh's film version of the complete Hamlet does bring out the faults of the Olivier Hamlet by including everything that Olivier had omitted. But still despite all this, the performances, the photography, the art… More
  The definitive cinematic rendition of Hamlet. However, Kenneth Branagh's film version of the complete Hamlet does bring out the faults of the Olivier Hamlet by including everything that Olivier had omitted. But still despite all this, the performances, the photography, the art direction and the musical score of the Olivier Hamlet are perfect. I still consider Olivier's performance to be the best performance of Hamlet I have ever seen. Winner of my Top Shakespeare Films.

• Emily A

  
  I really like Laurence Olivier and I think he did a great job but still: I BLEEPING HATE HAMLET! Stupid emo kid. The character is just such an inept stuttering moron that I just want to slap him. You could pour your heart and soul into the role (as Olivier clearly did) and you still… More
  I really like Laurence Olivier and I think he did a great job but still: I BLEEPING HATE HAMLET! Stupid emo kid. The character is just such an inept stuttering moron that I just want to slap him. You could pour your heart and soul into the role (as Olivier clearly did) and you still wouldn't be able to save him. Ugh. I can't stop imagining Hamlet wearing eyeliner and a bad haircut and delivering that 'to be or not to be' soliloquy over the phone to a yawning, unconvinced friend. "I'm really gonna do it this time! Really!" Truth be told though, I did like the scenes where he was being jovial and witty, but I only two come to mind. This film wasn't bad, but I just hate this damn play.

• Lanning :

  
  And speaking of Olivier while I'm thinking of it, this <i>Hamlet</i> is all right. But just all right. I've seen better, including Mel Gibson on the screen. Granted Olivier's is closer to the text, but Gibson's has the better energy. Off screen,… More
  And speaking of Olivier while I'm thinking of it, this <i>Hamlet</i> is all right. But just all right. I've seen better, including Mel Gibson on the screen. Granted Olivier's is closer to the text, but Gibson's has the better energy. Off screen, I've seen even better in my time.

• Danny R

  
  William Shakespeare's tragedy of the Danish prince is brought to vivid life by Sir Lawrence Olivier; this is filmmaking at its finest, the greatest play in all literature superbly directed and preformed by the greatest actor of his era, a perfect combination. Olivier's… More
  William Shakespeare's tragedy of the Danish prince is brought to vivid life by Sir Lawrence Olivier; this is filmmaking at its finest, the greatest play in all literature superbly directed and preformed by the greatest actor of his era, a perfect combination. Olivier's powerful Academy Award winning performance for Best Actor is one for the ages; his brooding, tormented Hamlet is informed by the ghost of his murdered father the King of Denmark, that his incestuous, adulter brother Claudius, played superbly by Basil Sydney has poisoned him to covet his throne and his Queen Gertrude, played wonderfully by Eileen Herlie. Hamlet will seek vengeance from the nefarious Claudius for his foul deeds. The climatic, show-stopping fencing duel between Hamlet and Laertes is suspenseful and masterfully choreographed, the feverishly exuberant swordplay in that fatal encounter is a real stunner. The sets and production design are exquisite: Desmond Dickinson's gorgeous deep-focus black & white cinematography is impressive; with marvelous extreme close-ups and the use of shadow and light with wide angles. There are impeccable supporting performances by Jean Simmons, Norman Wooland, Peter Cushing, Stanley Holloway, Anthony Quayle, Sir john Gielgud and Christopher Lee; But it is the the mercurial ferocity of Olivier's brilliant acting that dominates this motion picture.This cinematic gem won 4 Oscars including Best Picture; the first non-American production to take the Academy's top prize, and Best Actor: Sir Lawrence Olivier. A must-see for any true connoisseur of the cinema! Highly Recommended.

• Alec B

  
  Olivier's version is much more subtle than other film adaptions of Hamlet, but that is what makes it work. Olivier capture's in his performance the fact that Hamlet is unlikeable and is far from being a hero. This upsets many people, but Hamlet is essentially a emo kid who… More
  Olivier's version is much more subtle than other film adaptions of Hamlet, but that is what makes it work. Olivier capture's in his performance the fact that Hamlet is unlikeable and is far from being a hero. This upsets many people, but Hamlet is essentially a emo kid who complains a lot.

• Dimitris S

  
  An almost prefect Hamlet on-screen,Gamlet as the first,psychological symbolism in Olivier's adaptation.Well-maintained film offering A-class performances and the Shakespearean pathos solid and unspoiled.Minor injustice at the Academy Awards,for Treasure of Sierra Madre should… More
  An almost prefect Hamlet on-screen,Gamlet as the first,psychological symbolism in Olivier's adaptation.Well-maintained film offering A-class performances and the Shakespearean pathos solid and unspoiled.Minor injustice at the Academy Awards,for Treasure of Sierra Madre should have prevailed that period,besides this it remains a token of great directed plays.

• Simeon D

  
  An honorable adaptation of Shakespeare's play that succeeds because of Orson-Wellesian visual style and Laurence Olivier's passionate performance. Should this have won Best Picture: Might have well. There was some tough competition that year, but Olivier made this version… More
  An honorable adaptation of Shakespeare's play that succeeds because of Orson-Wellesian visual style and Laurence Olivier's passionate performance. Should this have won Best Picture: Might have well. There was some tough competition that year, but Olivier made this version of Hamlet packed with emotion and visual endurance that make it the definite adaptation of the play. 95/100

• Ivan D

  
  Although I have seen the Zeffirelli version first, my memory about the classic Shakesperean tragedy was refreshed by this Laurence Olivier version, which with its black and white coloring and observant-like camera movements, has able to portray the mood of the entire film perfectly.… More
  Although I have seen the Zeffirelli version first, my memory about the classic Shakesperean tragedy was refreshed by this Laurence Olivier version, which with its black and white coloring and observant-like camera movements, has able to portray the mood of the entire film perfectly. In some ways, this film reminded me a lot of "Seventh Seal's" medieval imageries, with the same black-and-white perfectness. Some would consider this and Laurence Olivier's performance to be very dated and inaccessible for modern viewers, but the psychosis of the Hamlet he portrayed was both puzzling and intriguing, a great insight to the man "who could not make up his mind". The long-tracking end shot was perfect, a grand inheritance from Orson Welles' influential "Citizen Kane".

• Lord N

  
  do you ever have the experience that you feel like you should like something just because people say how much of a classic it is and how good the performances are and such but then when you finally get to seeing it yourself you go "whats' the big deal?" that is the… More
  do you ever have the experience that you feel like you should like something just because people say how much of a classic it is and how good the performances are and such but then when you finally get to seeing it yourself you go "whats' the big deal?" that is the experience I had with watching Laurence Olivier's 1948 best Picture winning version of Hamlet. now, I do not disagree that Olivier did a fantastic job as the insane revenge bent prince of Denmark. However I cannot see many merits beyond that. the movie bored the heck out of me. I tried to like it. I really did but I cannot see the big screaming deal. the only reason I gave it a 60% was because of the amazing performances. one problem I had was that it was too stinking LONG!!! it was about 2 1/2 hours long. and that's with him cutting 40% of the play. now, i don't dislike this movie just because it's old. anyone who knows me knows that some of my favorite movies are 50 years old. I dunno. maybe in 15 years I'll appreciate it more (I appreciate it now just not enough to like it very much). Final Verdict: it's powerhouse performances are not enough to save it in my eyes. Replacement Winner: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. that movie rocked!

• hawk l

  
  Laurence Olivier's masterpiece is a brooding, theatrical gem with exceptionally good acting and a razorsharp sense of good storytelling. Inventive camera work alla Citizen Kane. A modern, psychological interpretation.

• Lizzy B

  
  I thought Laurence Olivier was incredible... I really appreciate this the most out of all the Shakespeare plays because of the psycological depth with the relatively simple plot line. This interpretation was impressive in regards to the acting and the directing, especially for its… More
  I thought Laurence Olivier was incredible... I really appreciate this the most out of all the Shakespeare plays because of the psycological depth with the relatively simple plot line. This interpretation was impressive in regards to the acting and the directing, especially for its time.

• Sarah B

  
  A tad OTT, too much of its time I'm afraid.

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