Olivier's " Hamlet " Criterion - Region 0

directed by Laurence Olivier
UK 1948

Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired—both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself—as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world’s greatest dramatists.

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 1948

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DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

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Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine # 82 - Region 0 - NTSC

Also available in a three pack with Laurence Olivier's Hamlet (1948), Henry V (1944) and Richard III (1955) on Criterion DVDs.

Runtime

2:33:30

Video

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.73 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Audio

English (Dolby Digital 1.0)

Subtitles

English, None

Features

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion / Home Vision

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• 6-page liner notes with essay by Terrence Rafferty

DVD Release Date: September 19th, 2000
Keep Case
Chapters: 27

Comments:

This is a little soft, but lots of grain and good, although occasionally fluctuating, contrast. Those black levels are pitch. Subtitles are excellent and no extras (aside from the liner notes). Beautiful cover and a lower tier priced Criterion. Magnificent achievement in drama and a worthy purchase. out of

NOTE: there have been many complaints that the audio on this DVD is over-filtered and sub-standard. If we are able, we will compare to the UK edition soon.

Gary W. Tooze

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