IMDb > Hamlet (1920)
IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   121 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Erwin Gepard (writer)
William Shakespeare (play)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Hamlet on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 November 1921 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
Danish silent movie-star Asta Nielsen formed her own production company to make this film, in which... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
A Silent-Era 'Hamlet' -- In Color?
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 19 January 2007)
User Comments:
Herr Hamlet Became Dame Hamlet more (3 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Asta Nielsen ... Prince Hamlet
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fritz Achterberg ... Fortinbras
Mathilde Brandt ... Gertrude
Paul Conradi ... King Hamlet
Anton De Verdier ... Laertes
Lilly Jacobson ... Ophelia
Hans Junkermann ... Polonius
Heinz Stieda ... Horatio
Eduard von Winterstein ... Claudius
more

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
131 min | Argentina:111 min (restored version) | Germany:111 min (25 fps) (restored)
Country:
Germany
Color:
Color (tinted) | Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Silent
Certification:
Argentina:Atp
Filming Locations:
Jofa-Atelier, Johannisthal, Berlin, Germany
Company:
Art-Film GmbH more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
On 19 January 2007, the producers of the Berlin Film Festival announced that they would premiere the original color version of this movie. This version was previously thought to be lost. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Den talende muse - samtaler med Asta Nielsen (2003) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
2 out of 4 people found the following comment useful.
Herr Hamlet Became Dame Hamlet, 21 November 2007
7/10
Author: FerdinandVonGalitzien (FerdinandVonGalitzien@gmail.com) from Galiza

Even the most dangerous longhaired youngsters know the story of the heir to the throne of Denmark ( that European country in which kings measure their kingdoms by the number of horses ) who lived some centuries ago and was called Herr Hamlet. His was a tale full of crime, vengeance, pain and suffering ( standard for aristocratic families ) The story of this tormented soul was written by Herr William Shakespeare and this very free film adaptation, is entitled "Hamlet", natürlich!. The film was directed by Herr Sven Gade und Herr Heinz Schall and starred the great, obviously… Danish actress, Dame Asta Nielsen.

Ja, mein liebers, you've read it correctly and you're not just suffering a hangover from last night; this German film version of "Hamlet" stars Dame Nielsen, a fräulein , so that in order to amaze the audience, this time Herr Hamlet became Dame Hamlet.

The film was inspired by the British scientist Herr Edward P. Vining's theory that the Danish prince was an adrogyne princess so this explains the reason for his/her's torment; as if it wasn't enough for him/her t to know that your uncle killed your father, married your mother and seized the Danish throne that belonged to you… The film is an outstanding production ( it was one of the most successful German films of that era ) ,shot with superb scenery in Goslar, a medieval German Gothic village that had, besides lots of Germans, a spectacular imperial ball room that was used in the film. The movie was produced by "Art-Film" a film company created for the occasion by Dame Nielsen.

The Danish actress shines especially in his film; her Hamlet is superb, with memorable moments in which her presence dominates powerfully the screen, as when "Hamlet" returns to the court to see that her mother is celebrating her wedding at the same as her father's funeral . Particularly strong is Hamlet's death scene ( in spite the novelties included in the story, mein liebers, "Herr "Hamlet dies at the end of the film ) which is beautifully filmed. Dame Nielsen shows admirably the terrible sufferings of her character ( unrequited and forbidden loves, not to mention her family problems that lead her to pretend insanity in order to unmask her uncle ) in a restrained way, a very modern performance that outshines the "classical" performances of the other actors.

The film was recently restored by the "Deutsches Filminstitut-DIF" ( a complete and tinted nitrate that was shown in the early silent times in German theatres ) and broadcast by the German-French TV. channel "ARTE", a delightful present for all the silent film fans around the world; one that shows them why Dame Nielsen was one of the most important actress of the silent era and the significance of the German film industry in those times.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must decide whether to be or not to be.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (3 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hamlet (1920)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Prince of the Himalayas Hamlet Hamlet Hamlet The Libertine
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb Germany section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.