Hamlet

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Hamlet

1948

2h 33m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

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48 Reviews

80%

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5,000+ Ratings

Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet" continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare's beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired - both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself - as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world's greatest dramatists.

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Critics Consensus

A well-executed labor of love from star and director Laurence Olivier, Hamlet not only proved that Shakespeare could be successfully adapted to the big screen, it paved the way for further cinematic interpretations.

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Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

Mr. Olivier may be looked upon, after this picture, as the most distinguished actor and director in the cinematic world. He has performed a service to art that cannot be measured. He has given us a mark to aim at for the next generation.

Aug 17, 2022

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Richard L. Coe

Washington Post

Here is Hamlet, the ghost story, the revenge plot, the action-filled melodrama, the character study, the fount of great language, the well-spring of thought... Here, in short, is one of the great movies of our day.

Aug 17, 2022

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Whatever the omissions, the mutilations, the mistakes, this is very likely the most exciting and most alive production of Hamlet you will ever see on the screen.

Jul 28, 2022

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

The film lacks any kind of ingenuity or identity beyond the merits of Olivier’s accomplishments. However, many still consider this to be the categorical Hamlet.

Jun 27, 2023

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Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

When it comes to captivating filmmaking and epic scale even with limited sets, 1948's Hamlet is an honest masterpiece.

Rated: A

Aug 28, 2022

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Edwin F. Melvin

Christian Science Monitor

Though questioning eyebrows may be raised over some of the measures adopted. even those who may be inclined to take exceptions will find that the film holds their close attention.

Aug 18, 2022

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

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Christian K

Shakespeare had some bars, and the images of the dead king in this are absolutely metal. The story is good, the delivery is hard to stay focused on, though, as this was my first true experience with a full length Shakespeare production.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Andy F

More than a film this is a work of art. From its spectacular sets through to a perfect casting, this masterpiece is enthralling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

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Audience Member

Iconic. leaves you sitting in the melancholy of it all.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

So errr yeah, I haven't got a scoot what any of them were saying at any point in this film. If you ever meet a time traveller from 16th century England, stick this on to keep them entertained, they'll prob find it incredible. If you happen to have been born in the past hundred and twenty years or so you'll probably be equally bemused by this. I feel asleep for a good half hour and don't think I missed anything. In the end everyone dies and it's a crying shame they didn't get a hurry on and die within the first five minutes. Worst Oscar best picture winner ever and I've seen Out of Africa before you ask... so that really is saying something.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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david c

Olivier is amazing and the music is excellent. Not sure why Jean Simmons was nominated for an Oscar though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Synopsis

Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet" continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare's beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired - both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself - as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world's greatest dramatists.

Director: Laurence Olivier
Screenwriter: William Shakespeare, Laurence Olivier
Distributor: Universal Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: J. Arthur Rank Films [gb], Pilgrim Pictures, Two Cities Films Ltd., Rank Organization
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 2h 33m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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