Hamlet

Released Sep 28, 1948

2h 33m

Drama

List

96%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

80%

Audience Score

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

Full Review

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

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

Audience Member

I give this Shakespeare movie a better rating than most because at least with this one I could follow along somewhat easily and its well done overall. Also, I thought the acting was really good. However, it's still Shakespeare and still overdramatic, verbose, and boring. This film also feels way too long at 2 1/2 hours. If u've seen one Shakespeare, I feel like u've seen them all. All his tragedies end with everyone dying and his comedies are kinda just dull. Just because a film does a play of Shakespeare well, best picture it doesn't make.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

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

ashley h

Hamlet is an excellent film. It is about Prince Hamlet who struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king. Laurence Olivier and Jean Simmons give incredible performances. The screenplay is well written. Laurence Olivier also did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. Hamlet is a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Laurence Olivier

Director

Laurence Olivier

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Jean Simmons

Ophelia, Daughter of Polonius

Basil Sydney

Claudius, The King

Eileen Herlie

Gertrude, The Queen

Felix Aylmer

Polonius, Lord Chamberlain

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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
Producer: Laurence Olivier
Screenwriter: Laurence Olivier, William Shakespeare
Distributor: Universal Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Two Cities Films Ltd., Rank Organization, Pilgrim Pictures, J. Arthur Rank Films [gb]
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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