e ghost of his father, whom he meets on the ramparts at night, a portent to all of things to come. The effects of a regicide are seen in storms and the like because such actions offend God. Shakespeare includes these elements for a reason, and Olivier follows this intent in every respect.
Olivier begins his film with an image of turmoil--the roiling sea crashing against the rocks. He also follows the play by opening with the first appearance of the Ghost. This sets the tone for all that is to come--it is clear that the kingdom is facing troubled times, just as it is clear that Hamlet is troubled as he sits at the celebration in a dark mood noted by all present. Olivier creates an image of Denmark as a forbidding place pounded by nature and in turmoil because of the death of a king. The set design for the film helps shape the visual look of the film and also contributes to the way the film defines characters. One critic identifies the visual design of the film as "an etched effect":
The sets by Furse and his assistant Carmen Dillon are ve
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