Hamlet (1969 film)

Hamlet is a 1969 British drama film adaptation of Shakespeare's play Hamlet, starring Nicol Williamson as Prince Hamlet.[2] It was directed by Tony Richardson and based on his own stage production at the Roundhouse theatre in London.[3] The film also stars Anthony Hopkins as King Claudius, Judy Parfitt as Queen Gertrude, Marianne Faithfull as Ophelia, Mark Dignam as Polonius, Gordon Jackson as Horatio, and Michael Pennington as Laertes.[4]

Hamlet
Film poster
Directed by	Tony Richardson
Produced by	Hans Gottschalk Neil Hartley Leslie Linder Martin Ransohoff
Written by	Tony Richardson
Based on	William Shakespeare (play)
Starring	Nicol Williamson Marianne Faithfull Anthony Hopkins Judy Parfitt
Music by	Patrick Gowers
Cinematography	Gerry Fisher
Edited by	Charles Rees
Color process	Technicolor
Production company	Filmways Pictures Woodfall Film Productions
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	December 21, 1969 (1969-12-21) (New York City) 9 April 1970 (1970-04-09) (United Kingdom)
Running time	118 minutes
Country	United KIngdom
Language	English
Budget	$350,000[1]

The film, a departure from big-budget Hollywood renditions of classics, was made with a small budget and a very minimalist set, consisting of Renaissance fixtures and costumes in a dark, shadowed space. A brick tunnel is used for the scenes on the battlements. The Ghost of Hamlet's father is represented only by a light shining on the observers. The film places much emphasis on the sexual aspects of the play, to the point of strongly implying an incestuous relationship between Laertes and Ophelia. Williamson was only one year younger than Parfitt, who played his mother, and was one year older than Hopkins, who played his uncle.