Johnnie Burn cleverly incorporated iambic pentameter into the sound design of 'Hamnet'

Unlike typical historical films that echo the familiar soundscape of Gladiator or Lord of the Rings with rolling wagons, clanging armor, chirping chickens, flickering torches, and soaring orchestral scores Hamnet charts its own auditory path, creating a wholly distinctive experience. Supervising sound editor, designer, and re-recording mixer Johnnie Burn, known for the intense realism of The Zone of Interest and the audacious sci-fi spectacle of Nope, applied an unprecedented level of meticulous sound design for Chloe Zhaos meditation on the death of William Shakespeares son, Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), and the vibrant life of his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley), as they inspire the creation of Hamlet.

I learned a lot on The Zone of Interest about how realism in sound enhances immersion for the audience, Burn told IndieWire. Even tiny details subconsciously place viewers in the right environment. In Hamnet, the goal was to draw the audience into the forests of Warwickshire, where Agnes and Will (Paul Mescal) experience love, loss, and lifes profound moments. These natural settings demanded more than ambient birdsong or gentle winds; every sound had to convey precise emotional nuance.

For instance, when young Hamnet is left alone in the courtyard, a mournful bird subtly reinforces the scenes sadness. Similarly, the forest birth scene blends quasi-musical wind elements to evoke mood without traditional scoring. This careful sound crafting supports the painterly visuals of Zhao and cinematographer ukasz al, making the ambient sounds feel like an integral part of the narrative canvas rather than background noise.

Burn envisioned a dynamic sound environment early on, presenting Zhao with a concept that emphasized immersion over dialogue. The films tableau-style approach, with minimal rapid cuts and characters entering and exiting the frame naturally, allowed ambient sound to position viewers in the world authentically.

To capture the perfect natural sounds, Burns team traveled across Britain, recording leaves, footsteps, and wind in remote locations. Many textures of the Shakespeare townhouse were recorded in Burns own loft, chosen for its windy, resonant qualities. Cold wind at night can act as a stand-in for grief, Burn explained, highlighting how environmental sounds amplify the storys emotional depth.

Beyond traditional sound effects, Burn incorporated subtle Easter eggs. A recurring forest bird, for example, whistles in iambic pentameter, paying homage to Shakespearean rhythm, though only after careful approval from Zhao to ensure natural integration. Many additional bird sounds were ultimately removed to maintain balance, underscoring the precision behind every sonic choice.

From start to finish, Hamnet is defined by an attentive, emotionally charged soundscape that immerses viewers in nature and in the intimate worlds of its characters, proving that sound design can be as pivotal as visuals in storytelling.