Hamlet (1996)

2014 • 242 minutes

About this movie

Kenneth Branagh ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," "The Road to El Dorado") writes, directs and stars in this four-time Oscar-nominated classic Shakespeare saga about the melancholy Dane. With an all-star cast, including Oscar-nominee Kate Winslet ("Iris," "Titanic") and Oscar-winner Julie Christie ("Dragonheart," "Dr. Zhivago"), as well as appearances by Charlton Heston, John Gielgud, Jack Lemmon, Gerard Depardieu, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and many others. Branagh received an Oscar nomination for his outstanding screenplay. The Hollywood Reporter says "Branagh has boldly invigorated William Shakespeare's most celebrated play to a towering visual dimension that captures the tumultuous tragedy as no stage or filmic version has... Multiple Oscar nominations seem in order." #HarryPotter #WizardingWorld #Hogwarts

Ratings and reviews

If you're looking for a beautifully shot and superbly acted version of the play, this is it. A couple of odd cameos (Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon) detract a bit, but their scenes are mercifully brief. Charlton Heston makes a brief but powerful appearance. But the movie is dominated by strong performances by Branagh and Derek Jacobi who really shine. You can find many other filmed versions of the play, but they are almost always drastically abridged and often with weak lead performances.

An unabridged Hamlet is quite an undertaking, but this was done beautifully. My favorite part was Act I Scene III, where Hamlet and Ophelia meet in the hallway. Never have I seen their relationship so well portrayed. It makes it clear that they both love each other, yet Hamlet feels betrayed by her. This brought the play to live in an amazing way. If you like Shakespeare in general and Hamlet in particular, this is a phenomenal show.

Beautifully shot on amazing locations but there are a few performance choices I don't love. But even when I don't agree with all the choices, they are interesting. For instance, Hamlet's "To be or not to be" is played knowing he is under constant surveillance from Claudius. Definitely worth your time.