Hamlet (1948): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Hamlet is a 1948 drama starring Peter Cushing, Laurence Olivier and Patrick Troughton. It is based on Hamlet by William Shakespeare and T. J. B. Spencer. It runs 2 hours 34 minutes and earned $126 worldwide. It won 7 Oscars, including Best Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture, and 8 awards in all. Critics gave it 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.
English What Is Hamlet About?
The premise of Hamlet without spoilers, adapted from Hamlet by William Shakespeare and T. J. B. Spencer. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following his father’s sudden death, Prince Hamlet grapples with grief and suspicion surrounding his mother’s swift marriage to his uncle. Consumed by a desire for revenge and haunted by his father's ghost, Hamlet feigns madness while investigating a dark secret. He must confront a court rife with deception, betrayal, and the weighty questions of life and death.
Hamlet Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- directed by star
- tragedy
- sword duel
- revenge
- prince
- denmark
- ghost
- resentment toward stepfather
- resentment toward mother
- insanity
- male male relationship
- manipulative father
+38 more Show fewer
- manipulative mother
- homosexual subtext
- domineering mother
- codpiece
- male male kiss
- death of king
- death of queen
- hamlet character
- ophelia character
- gertrude character
- claudius character
- horatio character
- polonius character
- laertes character
- begins with voice over narration
- helsingoer denmark
- cemetery
- skull
- gravedigger
- feigned insanity
- duel
- shakespeare play
- shakespeare's hamlet
- actor recreates his stage role
- actress recreates her stage role
- olivier and gielgud
- shakespeare
- play within a play
- burial
- rapier and dagger fight
- poisoned drink
- assassination
- swordfight
- drowning
- graveyard
- tragedy drama
- poison
- death of protagonist
Hamlet Cast
Peter Cushing leads the cast, with Laurence Olivier and Patrick Troughton.
Also Starring in Hamlet
· 5 moreHamlet Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Hamlet 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.
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IMDb 7.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 82 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB
Hamlet Plot Summary
What happens in Hamlet from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
This film adapts the essence of the original play while significantly trimming the dialogue and omitting two key characters.
Set against the backdrop of 15th Century Denmark, the narrative unfolds on the battlements of the imposing Elsinore Castle, home to the Danish royal family. As the action begins, sentry Francisco is relieved from his watch by fellow sentry Bernardo. Joining them is Marcellus, who, alongside Bernardo, has witnessed the spectral figure of King Hamlet on two prior occasions. Their conversation is soon interrupted when Horatio (played by Norman Wooland) arrives, expressing skepticism about the ghost’s existence. As if to prove them wrong, all three sentries suddenly lay eyes on the ghost, prompting Horatio to demand that it speaks, but the apparition vanishes silently.
Full summary
The whole story of Hamlet, scene by scene
Hamlet Box Office
Hamlet grossed $126 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$126
Hamlet Awards & Nominations
Hamlet won 7 Oscars, including Best Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture, and 8 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1949, with 4 wins from 7 nominations.
8 wins14 nominations3 ceremonies
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Oscars 1949 4 wins · 7 nominations- Won Actor – Laurence Olivier
- Won Art Direction (Black-and-White)
- Won Best Motion Picture
- Won Costume Design (Black-and-White)
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Jean Simmons
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BAFTA 1949 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Film from any Source
- Nominated Best Film from any Source
- Oscars 1948 3 wins · 5 nominations
- Won Art Direction (Black-and-White)
- Won Best Motion Picture
- Won Costume Design (Black-and-White)
- Nominated Directing – Laurence Olivier
- Nominated Music (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture)
Hamlet Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Hamlet (1948) Original Trailer [FHD]
How Well Do You Know Hamlet?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
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- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who relieves Francisco from his watch at Elsinore Castle?
Hamlet Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “王子复仇记” and “Хамлет”.
- Also known as
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- 王子复仇记
- Хамлет
- Άμλετ
- Amleto
- ハムレット
- Гамлет
- 哈姆雷特
- המלט
- 햄릿
- 王子復仇記
Seen Hamlet?
Movies Like Hamlet
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hamlet, Hamlet and Hamlet.
Hamlet FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of Hamlet, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hamlet?
Hamlet runs 2 hours 34 minutes (154 minutes).
When was Hamlet released?
Hamlet was released on September 29, 1948.
Who is in the cast of Hamlet?
Hamlet stars Peter Cushing, Laurence Olivier and Patrick Troughton, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Hamlet make at the box office?
Hamlet grossed $126 worldwide.
How is Hamlet rated?
Hamlet has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 82 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.
Is Hamlet based on a book?
Yes. Hamlet is adapted from Hamlet by William Shakespeare and T. J. B. Spencer.
What awards did Hamlet win?
Hamlet won 8 awards from 14 nominations, including Actor at the Oscars 1949.
Does Hamlet have a post-credit scene?
No. Hamlet has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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