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Hamlet   1948         N/R, 153 min. Genre: Drama Director: Laurence Olivier   Cast: Laurence Olivier, Basil Sydney, Eileen Herlie, Jean Simmons, Felix Aylmer, Norman Wooland, Terence Morgan, Peter Cushing, Stanley Holloway, John Laurie, Esmond Knight, Anthony Quayle, Niall MacGinnis, Harcourt Williams, Christopher Lee   This film represents Laurence Olivier at his best starring as the melancholy Dane, Prince Hamlet. Soon after his father's death, Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude (Eileen Herlie), marries her brother-in-law Claudius (Basil Sydney). Now his father's ghost returns to speak to Hamlet and tells him that his own brother Claudius murdered him. He wants Hamlet to be kind to Gertrude but to kill Claudius. Hamlet vows to avenge his death and fakes madness to accomplish that goal. His acts lead to the end of several lives—including Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet's chief counselor Polonius (Felix Almer) and Polonius' daughter Ophelia (Jean Simmons) who loves Hamlet, and, finally, Hamlet. There was a well-deserved Best Actor Oscar presented to Olivier. The film also won Oscars for Best Picture, Art Direction/Set Decoration, and Costume Design. Olivier also received a nomination for Best Director, and Simmons was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Cast Laurence Olivier Hamlet Basil Sydney King Claudius Eileen Herlie Queen Gertrude Jean Simmons Ophelia Felix Aylmer Polonius Norman Wooland Horatio Terence Morgan Laertes Peter Cushing Osric Stanley Holloway Gravedigger John Laurie Francisco Esmond Knight Bernardo Anthony Quayle Marcellus Niall MacGinnis Captain Harcourt Williams Player Christopher Lee Spear Carrier