Hamlet (motion picture)

Hamlet (motion picture), British film based on William Shakespeare’s play about the Danish Prince Hamlet, who seeks revenge for his father’s murder. Released in 1948, the film won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. Before Hamlet (played by Laurence Olivier) exacts revenge for the murder, he considers suicide, reprimands his mother, and accidentally kills his girlfriend’s father. In addition to playing the title role, Olivier directed and produced the film.

Director

• Laurence Olivier

Cast

• Laurence Olivier (Hamlet)
• Eileen Herlie (Queen Gertrude)
• Basil Sydney (King Claudius)
• Jean Simmons (Ophelia)
• Norman Wooland (Horatio)
• Felix Aylmer (Polonius)
• Terence Morgan (Laertes)
• Peter Cushing (Osric)
• Stanley Holloway (Gravedigger)
• John Laurie (Francisco)
• Edmond Knight (Bernardo)
• Anthony Quayle (Marcellus)
• Niall MacGinnis (Captain)
• Harcourt Williams (Player)
• Russell Thorndike (Priest)
• Patrick Troughton (Player king)
• Tony Tarver (Player queen)
• John Gielgud (Voice of ghost)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Picture (1948)
• Academy Award for Best Actor (1948): Laurence Olivier
• Academy Award for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration—Black and White (1948): Roger K. Furse—Art Direction, Carmen Dillon—Set Decorator
• Academy Award for Best Costume Design—Black and White (1948): Roger K. Furse
• Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture Actor (1949): Laurence Olivier
• New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor (1948): Laurence Olivier