Hamlet

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy by William Shakespeare and one of his most well-known and oft-quoted plays. It was written at an uncertain date between 1600 and the summer of 1602.

Hamlet in cinema

According to the Internet Movie Database there have been 22 theatrical movies titled simply Hamlet plus another 16 with that title that were made for TV. Another 50 productions have included this name as part of the title or have used a foreign language variation of the name.

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The first such movie, Le Duel d'Hamlet, was produced and directed by Cl?ment Maurice in France in 1900, and starred Sarah Bernhardt (reprising her stage role) as Hamlet. Pierre Magnier played Laertes.

Related Topics:
Cl?ment Maurice - Sarah Bernhardt - Pierre Magnier

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1920's (?): Silent Shakespeare, directed by (?)

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:This is a parade of early attempts at screen Shakespeare, in the silent films. Hamlets in there, somewhere.

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1948: Hamlet, directed by Laurence Olivier

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Laurence Olivier

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:Received four Academy Awards:

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:Best Picture - Laurence Olivier, producer

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:Best Actor - Laurence Olivier as Hamlet

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:Best Costume Design (Black and White) - Roger K. Furse

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:Best Art Direction and Set Decoration (Black and White) - Carmen Dillon and Roger K. Furse

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:It was nominated for a further three awards

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:Best Director - Laurence Olivier

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:Best Supporting Actress - Jean Simmons as Ophelia

Related Topics:
Jean Simmons - Ophelia

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:Best Music Score - William Walton

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:Notable other appearances include Patrick Troughton as the player king, Eileen Herlie as Gertrude, Stanley Holloway as the gravedigger, Peter Cushing as Osric, Felix Aylmer as Polonius, Terence Morgan as Laertes, John Gielgud as the uncredited voice of the ghost, and Christopher Lee as an uncredited spear carrier.

Related Topics:
Patrick Troughton - Eileen Herlie - Stanley Holloway - Peter Cushing - Felix Aylmer - Terence Morgan - John Gielgud - Christopher Lee

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1957: A King in New York, directed by Charlie Chaplin

Related Topics:
A King in New York - Charlie Chaplin

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:Although this is not technically a movie of Hamlet, there is a scene where Chaplin does a rendition of the "To Be Or Not To Be" speech, which is on par with (and possibly above) most popular versions of Hamlet.

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1960: Hamlet, directed by Franz Peter Wirth

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Franz Peter Wirth

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:A German television production used as a 10th-season episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Related Topics:
10th-season episode - Mystery Science Theater 3000

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:Hamlet played by Maximilian Schell; English dubbing of King Claudius by Ricardo Montalban and Polonius by John Banner

Related Topics:
Maximilian Schell - Ricardo Montalban - John Banner

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1969: Hamlet, directed by Tony Richardson

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Tony Richardson

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:Hamlet played by Nicol Williamson, Claudius played by Anthony Hopkins, Ophelia played by Marianne Faithfull

Related Topics:
Nicol Williamson - Anthony Hopkins - Marianne Faithfull

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1974: "Hamlet", as episode 43 of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Monty Python's Flying Circus

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1990: Hamlet, directed by Franco Zeffirelli

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Franco Zeffirelli

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:Hamlet played by Mel Gibson, Gertrude played by Glenn Close, Polonius played by Ian Holm, Ophelia played by Helena Bonham Carter

Related Topics:
Mel Gibson - Glenn Close - Ian Holm - Helena Bonham Carter

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1996: Hamlet, directed by Kenneth Branagh

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Kenneth Branagh

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:A "full text" version, this movie runs in excess of 4 hours.

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:Set in the 19th century

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:Hamlet played by Kenneth Branagh, Claudius played by Derek Jacobi, Gertrude played by Julie Christie, Ophelia played by Kate Winslet

Related Topics:
Kenneth Branagh - Derek Jacobi - Julie Christie - Kate Winslet

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2000: Hamlet, directed by Michael Almereyda

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Michael Almereyda

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:Set in modern Manhattan

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:Hamlet played by Ethan Hawke, Polonius played by Bill Murray, Ophelia played by Julia Stiles

Related Topics:
Ethan Hawke - Bill Murray - Julia Stiles

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A number of films have also used lines from Hamlet's soliloquy as film titles. See To be, or not to be for a list of these films.

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Tom Stoppard wrote a popular play and movie Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in which the two title characters contemplate their roles as minor players in a bigger drama. While not a production of Hamlet, many of the lines of dialogue are lifted from this play.

Related Topics:
Tom Stoppard - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

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The play features strongly in the film Renaissance Man, in which Danny DeVito utilises the plot and characters to introduce a group of under-achieving soldiers to critical thinking.

Related Topics:
Renaissance Man - Danny DeVito

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Also, the famous play has often been satired on television, such as on The Simpsons, which did its own shortened version (episode "Tales From The Public Domain"). The following is the cast:

Related Topics:
The Simpsons - "Tales From The Public Domain"

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• Homer Simpson as King Hamlet
• Bart Simpson as Prince Hamlet
• Moe Szyslak as King Claudius
• Marge Simpson as Queen Gertrude
• Chief Wiggum as Polonius
• Lisa Simpson as Ophelia
• Ralph Wiggum as Laertes
• Carl Carlson as Rosencrantz ("Rosencarl")
• Lenny Leonard as Guildenstern ("Guildenlenny")