Hamlet

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Abraham S Mar 19, 2019 For me, Hamlet perfectly epitomises the problem of translating a play, especially one by Shakespeare, onto the big screen. A story full to the brim with monologues and dialogue that seem to go on forever, it took an act of will to make it to the end credits. Lawrence Olivier was an incredible talent, and remains one of the world's finest actors, but I could not have cared less about his plight in this film. The movie was repeatedly criticised for leaving too much of the play out. If you ask me, they didn't cut out enough. I can't imagine what it would have been like had it been an hour and a half longer. Its often feels like a film written by Quentin Tarantino or Aaron Sorkin, where characters prattle on and on and on, saying things in a thousand words which could be adequately explained in 20. Shakespeare dialogue is notoriously long-winded, and here all it serves to do is bog the film down in overextended scenes of discourse. At one point, Hamlet starts having a discussion with his own inner monologue. Yes, the movie is that desperate to have its characters talk to, and about, anything it possibly can. I felt nothing for any of the characters, and actually felt relieved when they died, since it's the only way to stop them from talking anymore. The character of Ophelia has almost no screen time, large chunks of it feel pointless, and I supposed Olivier turned on the fog machine and broke off the handle, since it looks like most of the scene were filmed next to a bonfire. It's atmospheric and well directed for sure, but I couldn't help but be bored senseless by it. No disrespect to Olivier, but this one let me completely underwhelmed. See more

Luke W Feb 2, 2019 Brilliant interpretation of the play. Of course, Olivier played Hamlet brilliantly, in such a manner that is inimitable. Itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s totally engaging and feasibly comprehensible, even if you didnï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)t study Hamlet in high school. Also, the ability to access information about Hamlet is easily obtainable online. I taught the play for years and itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s still my favorite. See more

Dec 30, 2018 Absolutely terrible. Olivier is terrible as the title character. I had watch it multiple times to see when he puts on the antic disposition, never saw it. Antics are more than just strange replies delivered without any emotion. See more

Abraham W Sep 21, 2018 A superb treatment of the immortal classic. The mood was conveyed perfectly, settings, camerawork, darkness, melancholy, acting, all these elements Laurence Olivier thought out in a groundbreaking manner, ever since used in other adaptations of Shakespeare. See more

Finn S Sep 11, 2017 Laurence Olivier directed and starred in this fine version of Hamlet. Olivier's portrayal sets the standard for subsequent film editions. The film's staging, lighting, and camera angles are particularly splendid. See more

Hermione W Aug 27, 2017 An achievement for its time, and definitely a noteworthy performance by Olivier, this picture, however, is ultimately boring and has since been done better (Kenneth Branagh's version). See more

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Hamlet

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