The movie won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Laurence Olivier), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, Best Costume Design, Black-and-White (Roger K. Furse) and Best Picture. It was also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jean Simmons), Best Director and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.
Herlie, who plays Hamlet's mother, was 28 years old when the movie was filmed. Olivier, who plays her son, was 41.