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Hamlet [VHS] [1948] starring: Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, John Laurie, Esmond Knight, Anthony Quayle

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Rating: - Not matching either Derek Jacobi or Kenneth Brannagh!

I agree with Susan Cairns. I was not impressed by Olivier's effort nor indeed by the production in general. There was very little real feeling from any of the actors, except perhaps from Felix Aylmer as Polonius. Of the main characters, Aylmer, in my opinion, was the only one to come out of it with credit. Too many were simply reciting lines, including Olivier! Laertes was very poor and I do not know what Olivier the director was about with Peter Cushing's Osric; embarrassing.

Call me a purest if you like, but I do think the production suffered from the omissions (Rosencrantz, Guildenstern etc. etc.).

Overall, therefore, I was very disappointed in Olivier's film. By all means it should be seen for the simple reason that it does have a place in cinema history and, I think, so that comparisons can be made. This version is not a patch on either the BBC's effort starring Derek Jacobi or Kenneth Brannagh's recent film.

Rating: - NO EXPRESSION

HAVE NONE OF YOU SEEN THE KENNETH BRANAGH HAMLET? Laurence Olivier delivers his lines with little or no expression, varying only between monotonous, feelingless prose and loud proclamations! BUY THE KENNETH BRANAGH VERSION- AND WATCH HIS DELIVERANCE OF 'ON HIM'- IN THE POLONIUS DEATH SCENE- IN SHOCK AND AWE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20 billion, million, trillion times more subtle and ultimatley heartbraking.

Rating: - Olivier delivers a fantastic adaptation of classic tragedy

After seeing a ghost of his father King Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Hamlet (Olivier) goes into madness as he learns the truth of his father's death.

Based on William Shakespeare's tragedy, Laurence Olivier's (Sleuth) picture depicts the play expertly, filled with brilliant performances, direction and a chilling climax.

Olivier directs and stars for this picture, and was the first person to direct themselves towards an Oscar, a remarkable achievement in the Englishman's career, and described as one of his finest onscreen performances of all time.

Though Olivier looks slightly old to play the role of the young Prince, there is no question about his performance as he gets it absolutely spot on, with very dramatic motives, using the text to his knowledge, especially the use of prose and blank verse and to direct himself in such a drastic dynamic way whilst delivering this remarkable performance will never be praised enough.

His long and slow direction helps achieve the delicacy of the character, and of the dramatic turn of events in Denmark, and though Olivier shines throughout, the whole concept of madness and the play is the ultimate star of the show.

Shakespeare's controversial tragedy is brilliantly adapted and contains very strong drama, filled with strong ideologies of loyalty, truth and betrayal, but particularly madness.

When Hamlet hears of his Uncle's actions, we see the Prince act very strangely and are immediately guessing what is going through his mind, which we soon find out through the use of soliloquies, where we see the deepest desires and thoughts inside Hamlet's heart. All the famous quotes including "To be or not to be" and "The play's the thing" are the key moments and stand out come the end of the film, which takes a while to come.

Olivier gets every element in apart from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, which he received criticism for. Though brilliant, this is an exceptionally long and drawn out film, which may test your patience.

There are a few lapses but ultimately this is one of Shakespeare's finest adaptations and helped me a lot when studying for my English A level. Finely acted and superbly directed, Olivier has created a landmark in the drama genre and is one of the finest adaptations of all time.

8.5/10

Rating: - Laurence Olivier

This is probably Laurence at his best. He struggled with Othello, very obviously a white actor trying to play a black man. His Lear was better, but not as good as Michael Horden's. His Henry V was good but rather a case of the Brits trying to cheer themselves up at a difficult time. I do notice that you've gone very politically correct by presenting it as a play by Jean Simmons.

Rating: - A tragedy about a man who couldn't make up his mind

Having just finished reading the play,I was keen to view this classic 1948 film of "Hamlet" which stars Laurence Olivier as the tragic Danish prince. The film is fairly faithful to the play and it's acting and direction are both first rate. I thought that everything about this film seemed to convey Shakespeare's vision of the play perfectly ,especially the gothic citadel of Elsinore and it's rich tableau of characters .The plot of "Hamlet" is well known; Hamlet succumbs to madness after the ghost of his father asks him to avenge his murder by his brother (Hamlet's uncle) ,the new king. This madness appears to be the result of Hamlet's indecision and inaction in response to the ghost's request. Should he plot bloody revenge on his father's killer as the ghost demands ,or should he do nothing ? To be,or not to be. Should he give in to evil or not ? Sadly Hamlet yields to the bloody appeals of the ghost and a series of untimely deaths bring this dramatic story to it's conclusion. This film version of "Hamlet" is excellent and it still makes for captivating viewing.

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