Hamlet Overview:

Hamlet (1948) was a Drama - Film Adaptation Film directed by Laurence Olivier and produced by Anthony Bushell, Herbert Smith and Reginald Beck.

Academy Awards 1948 --- Ceremony Number 21 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorLaurence OlivierWon
Best Supporting ActressJean SimmonsNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Roger K. Furse; Set Decoration: Carmen DillonWon
Best Costume DesignRoger K. FurseWon
Best DirectorLaurence OlivierNominated
Best Music - ScoringWilliam WaltonNominated
Best PictureJ. Arthur Rank-Two Cities FilmsWon
.

BlogHub Articles:

Hamlet (1948): A Medieval Film Noir

By Amanda Garrett on Mar 1, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm commemorating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death a bit early (it's April 23) with a look at Laurence Olivier's film noir-inspired take on the bard's great tragedy, Hamlet. This article is part of the In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb Blogathon hosted by MovieMovieBlogBl... Read full article


Hamlet (1948)

By Beatrice on Apr 10, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Hamlet Directed by Laurence Olivier Written by William Shakespeare 1948/UK Two Cities Films Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant You couldn’t ask for a better traditional version of Hamlet than this one. ?The acting is very big and stagey but I think that’s the point. Hamlet Prince of Denm... Read full article


Hamlet Isn’t Dead: The Taming Of The Shrew – A Personal Kickstarter Appeal

By Michael on Nov 14, 2013 From Durnmoose Movie Musings

Ok, you guys know that I usually try to keep the personal side of my life out of the blogging side, except for where it relates to movies and TV shows, but I hope you’ll forgive me taking just a moment here to promote something near and dear to my heart. Earlier this year, my son David and som... Read full article


Hamlet (1)

By RBuccicone on Oct 15, 2010 From MacGuffin Movies

Hamlet (1948) ???? In making Hamlet, Laurence Olivier was credited?with, more than anyone else, introducing Shakespeare to the mass public at the time, and rightfully so. Not only does Olivier star in this film adaptation of a brooding young man attempting to prove his uncle murdered his father in p... Read full article


Hamlet (1948)

By Judy on Jul 10, 2010 From Movie Classics

Laurence Olivier as Hamlet I’m not going to say a lot about this film,?but, as part of my mini-Shakespeare season,?just wanted briefly?to?record that I’ve re-watched the Olivier Hamlet?and enjoyed it very much – it is?much better than his first Shakespearean film role in As You Lik... Read full article


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Quotes from

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there's the respect That makes calamity of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law's delay, The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover'd country from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pith and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action.


Marcellus: [referring to the Ghost] Peace, break thee off. Look where it comes again!
Bernardo: In the same figure, like the dead King Hamlet.


Polonius, Lord Chamberlain: My lord, put your discourse into some frame and start not so wildly from my affair.
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: I am tame sir; pronounce.


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Facts about

Laurence Olivier was 41 when Hamlet was released. Eileen Herlie, who played Hamlet's mother Gertrude, was 28.
The first film to win both the Academy Award for best picture and the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Award for best picture.
As of 2010, Christopher Lee and Patrick Macnee are the only surviving cast members of the film.
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Best Picture Oscar 1948






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Also directed by Laurence Olivier




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Also produced by Anthony Bushell



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