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Hamlet (1996)

(1996, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Derek Jacobi)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Shakespeare's great tragedy -- all of it.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Violence:

    Sword fights and poisoning.
  • Sex:

    Hamlet and Ophelia make love onscreen, incarnating a relationship only suggested in the text. No nudity.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Hamlet (1996)

Parents need to know that kids will see Hamlet and Ophelia making love (without nudity), plus sword fights and poisonings. This is the only full-length production of the play on film.

Read our full review by Randy White

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether it makes Shakespeare's work more accessible. Did the actors help you understand the arcane language? Why do you think the director choose to commit the entire play to film rather than trim it as other film versions do?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Do yourself a favor and watch Laurence Olivier's version instead.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in District of Columbia
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0

    A must-see movie.

    Kenneth Branagh's embodiment is the ebst yuo will ever see of this character. Truly Amazing.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in District of Columbia
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0

    A must-see movie.

    Kenneth Branagh embodiment of Hamlet's character is the best you will ever see. Truly Amazing.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in District of Columbia
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0

    A must-see movie.

    Kenneth Branagh embodiment of Hamlet's character is the best you will ever see. Truly Amazing.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of the best films of all time

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    The GREATEST Screen Version Of William Shakespeare's Tragedy.

    Of course, most people have their own favourite film versions of "Hamlet," William Shakespeare's classic tragedy about love, murder, revenge and family loyalty, that was first performed at the Globe Theater in 1603. Classic tragedy, right up there with "Romeo & Juliet," "Richard III," "Othello," "Julius Caesar," "Macbeth" and "King Lear." Personally, Kenneth Branagh's 4 hour version of the play is the greatest, next to Sir Laurence Olivier's 2/1/2 hour film version, produced in 1948. The all-star cast is terrific (featuring Academy Award winners Julie Christie, Charlton Heston, Sir John Gielgud, Jack Lemmon, Richard Attenborough and Robin Williams, among others; Gielgud, Derek Jacobi and Kenneth Branagh have each played Hamlet over 300 times on stage). The costumes (as per the opulent 19th-century setting) and sets are visually lush. There is nothing bad about this production. It's clear that Branagh spared no expense to make this movie. At $18 million, it was worth every penny. As far as letting children see this film, I would highly recommend it for ages 10 and above, due to the mature subject matter (death, lost love, revenge, etc), the archaic English, some non-explicit, but suggesstive, love scenes between Ophelia (Kate Winslet) and Hamlet (Kenneth Branagh) and the 4 hour running time. The film has recieved a PG-13 rating from the MPAA for violent images and some sexuality, but I rate it PG for some violence.

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    One of the finest films ever made.

    We watch it every New Year's. Hamlet always teaches new lessons. My boys loved it! Transcendent. luminous. Change your plans and see it tonight!

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