When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions–Shakespeare, Hamlet.
The surprise Oscar-winner of 1948, Laurence Olivier’s “Hamlet,” was filmed in a different style than the actor’s 1946 Oscar-nominated “Henry V.”
In this adaptation, Olivier used the camera as an active participant in the narrative, and shot in black and white, based on his metaphor for the movie Hamlet is like an engraving rather than a painting.” Hauntingly photographed, the Castle, with its massive and gloomy corridors, framed the human characters in a cool, detached way, and the Oscars for Art Direction and Costume Design were well deserved.
Despite criticism of the 153-minute screen version, which omitted characters and whole scenes from Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet” is still an exciting film, particularly when compared with Zeffirelli’s 1990 version, marred by the miscasting of Mel Gibson, as the melancholy Danish prince, and particularly Glenn Close, as Gertrude.
Oscar Awards: 4
Picture Actor Art Direction-Set Decoration Costume Design
Oscar Context
In 1948, “Hamlet” competed for the top Oscar with the ballet-drama “The Red Shoes,” which broke box-office records in the U.S.; two melodramas, Johnny Belinda” with Jane Wyman and The Snake Pit” with Olivia De Havilland, and John Huston’s brilliant crime drama, “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” with an all-star cast, headed by Humphrey Bogart and John Huston’s father, Walter Huston.
The most nominated picture was “Johnny Belinda,” receiving 12 nominations, but winning only one Oscar, Best Actress for Jane Wyman as the deaf-mute girl Belinda McDonald. The major awards were spread rather evenly among the five nominees. “The Red Shoes” deservedly won the technical awards in color, a distinction that increased the number of winning films.
Oscar Nomination: 7
Picture, produced by Laurence Olivier
Director: Olivier
Actor: Olivier
Supporting Actress: Jean Simmons
Art Direction-Set Decoration (b/w): Roger K. Furse; Carmen Dillon
Costume Design (b/w): Roger K. Furse
Scoring (Dramatic or Comedy): William Walton
