There are many film adaptations of Hamlet. Wikipedia estimates that since 1900, over 50 different film and tv adapations of the play have been produced. In fact, you have all likely seen one particular version.
In 1948, Sir Laurence Olivier directed and starred in a big screen adaptation of the play. It won best picture, despite the fact that Olivier, who himself portrayed Hamlet, was 40 years of age during the production. Olivier's approach at the time was groundbreaking: this was a film adaptation; not simply a recording of a stage production. Olivier uses narration to imply that Hamlet's soliloquies are internal monologue. Check out his version of the famous "To be, or not to be" speech, and just listen to that dramatic score.
In 1990, Franco Zeffirelli, an Italian film director, released his version of Hamlet. His 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet is an English class staple. You may well remember it as the version where you briefly caught a glimpse of Romeo's bare backside.
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| Isn't he dreamy? |
But I digress. Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet features my favorite Hamlet: Mel Gibson. Here is his take on the "To be, or not to be" speech. Check out how smoothly Gibson delivers the lines in an emotional but conversational manner.
And here is yet another take on the speech. This one is from The Royal Shakespeare Company's 2009 TV adaptation starring David Tennant.
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| Yes, Kerwin. Dr. Who is also Hamlet. I know, mind blown. |
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