Performance & Direction: Hamlet Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Hamlet (1964) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Hamlet features a noteworthy lineup led by Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy . Supported by the likes of Anastasiya Vertinskaya and Mikhail Nazvanov , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Hamlet (1964) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.1/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: Hamlet
Quick Plot Summary: Hamlet is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Hamlet
Ending Breakdown: Hamlet resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Hamlet reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Hamlet?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: Hamlet
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Hamlet Parents Guide & Age Rating
1964 AdvisoryWondering about Hamlet age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Hamlet is 140 minutes (2h 20m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.1/10, and global collection metrics, Hamlet stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1964 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamlet worth watching?
Hamlet is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Hamlet parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Hamlet identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Hamlet?
The total duration of Hamlet is 140 minutes, which is approximately 2h 20m long.
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How Hamlet Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Hamlet
Now not being a Russian speaker I was a bit trepidatious about tackling this with just the subtitles. Well I needn’t have feared as a basic knowledge of the original Shakespearean tragedy is all that is required to underpin this experience as I sat back and savoured this exquisitely dark, brooding and melancholy story of betrayal, duplicity and madness - written as only the bard could and quite possibly delivered as only the Soviets could. We start in the best place, the oppressive and formidable fortress of Elsinore (well, Ivangorod, actually) with it’s thick, high walls and imposing portcullis where we are first introduced to the mourning prince “Hamlet” (Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy) who is returning home upon news of the recent death of his father and the subsequent marriage of his uncle “Claudius” (Mikhail Nazvanov) to his widowed mother “Gertrude” (Ella Radzina). Now the haste of all of this sends shivers down the prince’s spine and his thoughts turn to suspicions of regicide. Those only grow when the darkened skies and gathering storm clouds present him with a conundrum wrapped in a prophesy that will set the scene for the next couple of hours of family intrigue at it’s very best. The lighting does much of the heavy lifting and creates, in concert with some magnificent interiors, costumes and a fine Shostakovich score a gripping, detailed and tense template for the impressive efforts of a cast who positively exude a passion from their pores as the story gathers pace and the emotions run riot. The ebbs and flows of the young man’s adventures, the search for trust and truth and some remarkably identifiable soliloquies, even in Russian, really make this a formidable piece of cinema that is classy and bleak. This is easily as good as any other version of this play committed to celluloid, and even if you are not a fan of this (often quite long-winded and verbose) playwright then you can still enjoy an inspired adaptation of the ultimate in dynastic dramas dripping in blood, fantasy and menace from Grigoriy Kozintsev. It ought to be seen on a big screen to get the best from the aesthetic but even on a decent television, it quivers.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
