Hamlet (1948)

This is the best received adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play, and it certainly has its merits. Olivier gives an excellent performance as Hamlet as does Jean Simmons as Ophelia. Peter Cushing also excels as the scene-stealing Osric, albeit in very small doses. That being said, it still progresses at a slow pace, particularly early. That is understandable given the challenge of adapting a four hour play into a 2.5 hour film and determining what cuts to make and where.The direction, also by Olivier, has room for improvement. While the shots are generally well constructed, many of the interior scenes are poorly lit, especially notable given how critical lighting is to a black and white production. The interplay between Hamlet and the Queen is very well done, playing aggressively on the oedipal aspects of their relationship.

This is a great movie. It is a true classic. Great acting. Great story line. Great special effects. This movie is very scary. It is a masterpiece. See it. It is mush more fun to watch then reality TV. This one of best movie ever. Shakespeare was one of the best writers of his time. There a lot of people who like Shakespeare that are story snobs. But will say Shakespeare was as good at writing as Steven King. This is better then Godzilla (1954) and almost as good as Godzilla (1998). Godzilla (1954) is great movie. And so is this. It is nothing like. But good like Godzilla and a story just like Godzilla is a story. Great movie. It is a most see.

When shown in my Shakespeare on Film class last semester, this version of Hamlet did not play well. My classmates laughed at several of Olivier's dramatics, Jean Simmons' overdone Ophelia, and the ghost which they considered "campy". They came to the conclusion that the film was badly dated and, as one girl put it, "Laurence Olivier couldn't act his way out of a paper bag". That statement's a bit ridiculous and my classmates showed a great deal of immaturity, but I will say even I was disappointed with this version of Hamlet.It's a good movie no doubt about that: Olivier was right to shoot the film in black-and-white as it adds to the foreboding atmosphere. The sets are minimalist, which might come across as stagey to some but I think it added to the mood. The transitions are remarkable tracking shoots that go through the shadowy labyrinth that is Elsinore Castle, reflecting Hamlet's indecisive state of mind. The overall feel reminded me of a German expressionist film from the 1920s, and I enjoyed that very much.As far as adaptations go, this one slims down the text significantly. Most notably, the political aspect of the play is eradicated, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern make no appearance. The whole movie runs two and a half hours. I honestly had no problem with how the play was adapted. Olivier still covers the major themes of the original, so a few subplots getting cut did not offend me too much.Olivier's interpretation of the title character did not impress. His Hamlet is much too inactive. No one denies that Hamlet is an introspective fellow, but Olivier seems to have forgotten he is an impulsive man as well. Poor Jean Simmons is miscast as Ophelia and gives the weakest portrayal in the film. She obviously had no clue what she was doing. Honestly, Olivier would have been better off casting his wife Vivien Leigh, an amazing actress who had much experience dealing with Shakespeare. Everyone else does fine in their parts, though no one really stands out.This film's influence cannot be denied and despite all my criticism, this is worth seeing. The cinematography and atmosphere are stunning (these two elements are what make the film for me), but I cannot say this is the definitive Hamlet.

I do like very much like Kenneth Branagh's film especially for Derek Jacobi's Claudius. However, I consider this perhaps the best Hamlet. The first hour or so is a little slow moving I agree, but I had no real problem with the pace generally with everything else so good. The film is incredibly well made for starters with moody lighting, very interesting and well thought out camera angles and sumptuous costumes and settings. The music is resolutely haunting which suits the complex tone of the play and film more than very well. The writing is outstanding though if I have any criticisms I also agree the soliloquies don't quite work out as they could. Olivier's direction is hard to fault and he is brilliant in the title role. He gets strong performances from a fine cast the best being Norman Wooland's Horatio and Jean Simmons' Orphelia. Basil Sidney's Claudius is also very good, but I marginally prefer Jacobi in the role. All in all, may have one or two minor flaws but these don't stop this Hamlet from being one of the better Shakespeare films I've seen. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox