Hamlet

Drama | English | 155 minutes

Info

There is a celebration in the Danish castle’s Great Hall of the marriage of Gertrude and King Claudius. Hamlet, son of Gertrude and the recently departed king, is fuming that his mother chose to marry so soon after the death of her husband. Hamlet’s friend Horatio tells Hamlet of a ghost that has been appearing on the battlements of Elsinore. Curious, Hamlet visits the battlement. Hamlet identifies the ghost as his departed father. The ghost tells Hamlet his brother Claudius murdered him so he would become king. Hamlet is extremely agitated with the revelation and seeks verification. Ultimately, Hamlet is certain that Claudius murdered his father and he agitates about taking revenge. Tragically, this will lead to many fatal consequences.

Cast

Laurence Olivier (Hamlet) / Basil Sydney (Claudius, the King) / Eileen Herlie (Gertrude, the Queen) / Norman Wooland (Horatio) / Jean Simmons (Ophelia) / Felix Aylmer (Polonius) / Terence Morgan (Laertes)

Why Stream This Film?

It’s a tribute to the brilliance of this film that the glitzy Oscars would select it as the Best Film of the year and Laurence Olivier as the Best Actor.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 95%
Metacritic Score: 82

Accolades

Academy Awards: Winner, Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role (Laurence Olivier); Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jean Simmons)
BAFTA Awards: Winner, Best Film
Golden Globe Awards: Winner, Best Film; Best Actor (Laurence Olivier)
National Board of Review: Listed, Top Ten Best Films of the Year
New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Winner, Best Actor (Laurence Olivier)
Venice International Film Festival: Winner, Best Actor (Laurence Olivier); Best Actress (Jean Simmons); Best Cinematography (Desmond Dickinson)

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