Hamlet (1948)

1948 saw the first foreign film to ever win Best Picture honors from the Academy. It was also the first time anyone ever directed themselves to an Oscar – Laurence Olivier won for Best Actor in the title role (as the director Olivier was only nominated losing to John Huston). Supporting actress Jean Simmons who plays Ophelia was also nominated. The film received two other Oscars (B&W Art Direction-Set Decoration & Costume Design) and received a nomination for its Musical Score. The story of course is classic Shakespeare and is perhaps the most ‘watchable’ (despite its 2 1/2+ hour length) of all the films made from his many stories. Anthony Quayle Peter Cushing and Stanley Holloway (among others) also appear.

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