Elsinore Castle, a fortress of shadows and secrets. A chilling wind whispers through the ramparts as Prince Hamlet, cloaked in mourning black, returns home to a Denmark steeped in treachery. His father, the King, is dead, and within weeks, his mother, Gertrude, has married his uncle, the calculating Claudius. The kingdom festers with suspicion, fueled by whispers of foul play. Hamlet’s childhood friend, Horatio, a scholar with unwavering loyalty, shares a terrifying vision – the ghost of Hamlet’s father, a spectral figure demanding vengeance. Consumed by grief and doubt, Hamlet feigns madness as he seeks the truth, a performance closely observed by Polonius, the King’s advisor, and his innocent daughter, Ophelia, torn between her love for Hamlet and her duty to her father and the crown. Something is rotten in Denmark, and Hamlet is determined to unearth the truth, no matter the cost.
Movie Overview
| Title | Hamlet |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 1996-12-25 |
| Runtime | 242 minutes |
| Genre | Drama |
Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Kenneth Branagh | Prince Hamlet |
| Derek Jacobi | King Claudius |
| Kate Winslet | Ophelia |
| Julie Christie | Gertrude |
| Richard Briers | Polonius |
| Nicholas Farrell | Horatio |
| Rufus Sewell | Fortinbras |
| Reece Dinsdale | Guildenstern |
| Timothy Spall | Rosencrantz |
| Michael Maloney | Laertes |
| Robin Williams | Osric |
| Gérard Depardieu | Reynaldo |
| Jack Lemmon | Marcellus |
| Ian McElhinney | Barnardo |
| Ray Fearon | Francisco |
| Brian Blessed | Ghost of Hamlet’s Father |
| Billy Crystal | First Gravedigger |
| Simon Russell Beale | Second Gravedigger |
| Don Warrington | Voltimand |
| Ravil Isyanov | Cornelius |
| Charlton Heston | Player King |
| Rosemary Harris | Player Queen |
| Richard Attenborough | English Ambassador |
| John Gielgud | Priam |
| Judi Dench | Hecuba |
| John Mills | Old King Norway |
| Ken Dodd | Yorick |
| Andrew Schofield | Young Lord |
| Perdita Weeks | Second Player |
| Tom Szekeres | Young Hamlet |
| Angela Douglas | Attendant to Gertrude |
| Rowena King | Attendant to Gertrude |
| Jimi Mistry | Sailor Two |
| Ben Thom | First Player |
| David Yip | Sailor One |
| Sarah Lam | Attendant to Gertrude |
| Rizz Abbasi | attendant |
| David Blair | attendant |
| Michael Bryant | Priest |
| Peter Bygott | Attendant |
| Charles Daish | stage manager |
| Rob Edwards | Lucianus |
| Yvonne Gidden | Doctor |
| Jeffery Kissoon | Fortinbra’s Captain |
| john Spencer-churchill | Fortinbra’s Captain |
| Sian Radinger | Prologue |
| Melanie Ramsey | Prostitute |
Storyline
Prince Hamlet, portrayed by Kenneth Branagh, is summoned home to Elsinore Castle upon the sudden death of his father, the King. He’s met with a chilling revelation: his uncle, Claudius played by Derek Jacobi, has not only swiftly ascended the throne but has also married Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude embodied by Julie Christie. Consumed by grief and suspicion, Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father, who reveals he was murdered by Claudius. Driven by vengeance, Hamlet feigns madness to investigate the truth, his erratic behavior deeply affecting Ophelia, brought to life by Kate Winslet, the daughter of the King’s advisor Polonius played by Richard Briers, whom Hamlet loves. As Hamlet stages a play mirroring his father’s murder to gauge Claudius’ reaction, his sanity unravels, leading to tragic consequences. Polonius is accidentally killed, Ophelia descends into madness and drowns, and Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, seeks revenge. The film culminates in a deadly duel orchestrated by Claudius, where treachery abounds, resulting in the deaths of Laertes, Claudius, Gertrude, and finally, Hamlet himself. The kingdom, steeped in betrayal and bloodshed, is left for Horatio to recount the tragic tale, and Prince Fortinbras to restore order amidst the ruins of Elsinore.
Details
In the opulent yet treacherous landscape of Denmark, Hamlet unfolds as a sweeping drama of betrayal, revenge, and madness. Kenneth Branagh embodies Prince Hamlet, a scholar and son plunged into despair upon discovering his father’s murder and his mother Gertrude’s, played by Julie Christie, hasty marriage to his uncle, the calculating Claudius, portrayed by Derek Jacobi. As Hamlet grapples with the ghost of his father’s vengeful spirit, he feigns insanity to investigate the truth, a performance that deeply affects Ophelia, brought to life by Kate Winslet, the daughter of the royal advisor Polonius, played by Richard Briers. The castle walls become a stage for political intrigue, as Hamlet navigates a web of deceit spun by Claudius, who grows increasingly wary of the prince’s erratic behavior, leading him to employ Hamlet’s childhood friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him. Torn between love and duty, Hamlet’s quest for justice unearths deeply buried secrets, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation where loyalty is tested, sanity questioned, and the fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance, leaving no one unscathed by the corrosive power of revenge.
FAQs
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What is the movie “Hamlet” about?
The movie follows Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, who returns home to find his father murdered and his mother married to his uncle, the murderer. War is also brewing.
When was the movie “Hamlet” released?
The movie was released on December 25, 1996.
Who directed the movie “Hamlet”?
Kenneth Branagh directed the movie.
Who are some of the main actors in “Hamlet”?
The main actors include Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Kate Winslet, and Julie Christie.
What genre is the movie “Hamlet”?
The movie is a Drama.
What is the runtime of the movie “Hamlet”?
The movie has a runtime of 242 minutes.
What was the budget for the movie “Hamlet”?
The budget for the movie was 18,000,000 USD.
What is the tagline for the movie “Hamlet”?
The tagline is “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
Which production company was involved in making the movie “Hamlet”?
Castle Rock Entertainment was one of the production companies.
Is this movie based on a play?
Yes, the movie is based on the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare.
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