Hamlet (1948)
Laurence Olivier directed, shaped the dialogue adaptation, and starred in this first spoken film version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Olivier famously bleached his locks to portray the Danish prince who is consumed by his suspicion that his uncle has murdered his father. Larry’s wife Vivien Leigh wanted to play Ophelia, but he preferred to cast a lesser known actress, so he chose Jean Simmons instead. Jean was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, and Larry won both Best Actor and Best Picture at the 1949 ceremony.
While there was great attention to detail in the sets, costume, and direction of this version, it’s not my favorite. I prefer Richard Burton’s energy in his 1964 version, a filmed Broadway performance. I’m don’t like to insult the great Laurence Olivier, but I was far from riveted by his Shakespearean performance. If you want to watch this version, you can make up your own mind about him, but I felt too much egotism radiating off the screen. I didn’t believe he was distraught and at the brink of insanity, like I felt when watching Richard Burton on the stage. If you prefer a more subdued, more internal performance, you might like this interpretation better. But if you’re like me and don’t generally like Shakespeare, you might find yourself nodding off after the first fifteen minutes.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1964's Hamlet here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1964's Hamlet at Elsinor here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1996's Hamlet here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2000's Hamlet here!
While there was great attention to detail in the sets, costume, and direction of this version, it’s not my favorite. I prefer Richard Burton’s energy in his 1964 version, a filmed Broadway performance. I’m don’t like to insult the great Laurence Olivier, but I was far from riveted by his Shakespearean performance. If you want to watch this version, you can make up your own mind about him, but I felt too much egotism radiating off the screen. I didn’t believe he was distraught and at the brink of insanity, like I felt when watching Richard Burton on the stage. If you prefer a more subdued, more internal performance, you might like this interpretation better. But if you’re like me and don’t generally like Shakespeare, you might find yourself nodding off after the first fifteen minutes.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1964's Hamlet here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1964's Hamlet at Elsinor here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1996's Hamlet here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2000's Hamlet here!