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Hooray for Mel's "Hamlet"! Trivia Quiz

This is one of my favorites of the many film adaptations of the works of Shakespeare. I hope you enjoy the quiz! Please rate it when you're done!

A multiple-choice quiz by MALibrarian. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
MALibrarian

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
244,389

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
392

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who directed this version of "Hamlet", starring Mel Gibson? Hint

Martin Scorsese

Mel Gibson

Franco Zeffirelli

Kenneth Branagh

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Question 2 of 10

2. What major storyline from Shakespeare's original play was omitted from "Hamlet"? Hint

Hamlet's famous soliloquy, "To be, or not to be"

the madness and eventual death of Ophelia

the war with Norway and the taking over of the Danish throne by Fortinbras

the "play within a play", demonstrating the murder of the king

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which character, played by which actor or actress, was stabbed and killed behind an arras? Hint

Claudius, played by Alan Bates

Polonius, played by Ian Holm

Ophelia, played by Helena Bonham-Carter

Gertrude, played by Glenn Close

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who played the Ghost of Hamlet's father, as well as the French King, Charles VI, in "Henry V" (1989)? Hint

Stephen Dillane

Ian Holm

Paul Scofield

Sir Laurence Olivier

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Question 5 of 10

5. What scene, not in Shakespeare's original play, opened this movie version of "Hamlet"? Hint

Polonius and Hamlet discussing his future with Ophelia

the wedding of Ophelia and Hamlet

the funeral of King Hamlet

Horatio and Laertes playing chess

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Question 6 of 10

6. This version of "Hamlet" received no Oscar nominations.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. In addition to designing costumes for "Hamlet," which other recent film did Maurizio Millenotti design costumes for? Hint

All of these are correct.

The Nativity

Tristan and Isolde

The Passion of the Christ

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Question 8 of 10

8. What did Hamlet consider to be "the thing, wherein [he'll] catch the conscience of the king"? Hint

the sword

the play

the arras

his mother

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these Shakespearean plays was NOT also directed by Franco Zeffirelli? Hint

Othello

Taming of the Shrew

The Tempest

Romeo and Juliet

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which amazing composer wrote the score for "Hamlet"? Hint

John Barry

James Horner

Ennio Morricone

John Williams

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who directed this version of "Hamlet", starring Mel Gibson?

Answer: Franco Zeffirelli

Born in 1923 in Italy, Franco Zeffirelli has worked on films since the 1950s. He's filled many roles, from art director to producer, to costume designer, and to director!

2. What major storyline from Shakespeare's original play was omitted from "Hamlet"?

Answer: the war with Norway and the taking over of the Danish throne by Fortinbras

To make the film less lengthy (130 minutes - Branagh's later film, which included the entire play, was 242 minutes), this subplot of the problems with Norway was cut. In addition, the storyline involving pirates capturing Hamlet's ship to England was also cut from the Zeffirelli film.

3. Which character, played by which actor or actress, was stabbed and killed behind an arras?

Answer: Polonius, played by Ian Holm

An arras, or tapestry, was used quite often in Shakespearean plays for characters to hide behind and eavesdrop on conversations. Polonius, being rather a snoopy fellow, was the perfect character to be caught behind an arras!

4. Who played the Ghost of Hamlet's father, as well as the French King, Charles VI, in "Henry V" (1989)?

Answer: Paul Scofield

Born David Paul Scofield in Sussex, England, Mr. Scofield has appeared in numerous films, including "A Man For All Seasons" in 1966, in which he portrayed Sir Thomas More. Scofield also played the title role in the 1971 movie version of "King Lear."

5. What scene, not in Shakespeare's original play, opened this movie version of "Hamlet"?

Answer: the funeral of King Hamlet

Although not in the play, this opening physical scene in the movie set the stage, so to speak, for the tragedy to unfold. It provided a brief glimpse of Claudius, the new king, and his widowed sister-in-law, Gertrude. It even caused me to wonder how much Gertrude really knew about the death of her husband!

6. This version of "Hamlet" received no Oscar nominations.

Answer: False

"Hamlet" was nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction-Set Direction. Unfortunately, "Hamlet" did not win either of these awards, losing to "Cyrano de Bergerac" for Costume Design and "Dick Tracy" for Best Art Direction-Set Direction.

7. In addition to designing costumes for "Hamlet," which other recent film did Maurizio Millenotti design costumes for?

Answer: All of these are correct.

Maurizio Millenotti, a native of Italy, has designed costumes for over 30 films since the 1980s! Other great period pieces, whose beautiful costumes were creations of Millenotti, include "Immortal Beloved" and "Anna Karenina."

8. What did Hamlet consider to be "the thing, wherein [he'll] catch the conscience of the king"?

Answer: the play

In one of the most famous lines in all of Shakespeare, Hamlet declares the play, performed by a troupe of traveling players, to be the way in which he'll trap the king into admitting his own guilt for the murder of Hamlet's father.

9. Which of these Shakespearean plays was NOT also directed by Franco Zeffirelli?

Answer: The Tempest

Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet," starring Olivia Hussey, was considered to be "the" defining film version of this famous romance. And Zeffirelli even wrote the screenplay for the fabulous Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor "Taming of the Shrew"!

10. Which amazing composer wrote the score for "Hamlet"?

Answer: Ennio Morricone

One of my favorite soundtrack composers, Ennio Morricone also did the great music for Kevin Costner's "The Untouchables", and has composed for over 500 films!

Source: Author MALibrarian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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