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Branagh Hamlet Comparison

1083 Words5 Pages

It’s amazing how different directors can interpret the same exact scene in their production of Hamlet. The four scenes of Shakespeare’s Hamlet are unique in their own way with each director breathing life into their production of a classic Shakespeare play. The differences in each production whether subtle or extreme can make or break the film adaptation. The actors, costuming, music and set design also play a pivotal role in comprehending a production such as Hamlet. There are those who appreciate a more pared down simplistic version of Shakespeare’s work or, like myself, yearn for a complete visual masterpiece that not only seduces the eyes but also speaks to the mind as well as the heart. I’ll break each Hamlet film version separately …show more content…

This is my favorite Hamlet production for many reasons. Branagh’s take on Hamlet appeals to me the most. He stays true to the character by not over-acting as some Shakespearean actors tend to do and he doesn’t give to the character anything other than how Shakespeare envisioned Hamlet to be. This version shows an actual romantic moment between Ophelia and Hamlet that actually has passion behind it. This helps the audience to see that there was an intimate connection between the young couple and that it wasn’t merely something we made up in our hopelessly romantic minds. Branagh’s portrayal of Hamlet emits real emotions and raw pain that the other actors seem to be lacking somewhat. The real tears in Hamlet’s eyes as he tells Ophelia, “I did love you once” (III, i), gave me chills and had my heart breaking for her. Kate Winslet’s portrayal of Ophelia is so spot on. She oozes a child-like vulnerability that the audience can connect with a few pity for her later on as she falls into insanity. I loved how the audience gets a mildly voyeuristic view of Act three, scene one with a two-way mirror approach. In his heated state, Hamlet drags Ophelia across the room and slams her against the mirror as Claudius and Polonius hopelessly look on. Ophelia’s cheek is pressed firmly to the mirror as Hamlet utters, “Those that are married already, all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are” (III, ii). The Bard himself would give this adaptation two thumbs

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My version of Hamlet would combine elements from Branagh and Cumberbatch’s interpretations with some original ideas. The setting would be similar to Branagh’s version, and it would consist mainly of tracking shots. Hamlet would walk through a maze in his garden where Polonius is also wandering. The camera zooms out and shows and aerial view of the maze. It zooms back in on Polonius as he reaches Hamlet and the scene unfolds.

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Hamlet Film Study Media Essay The famous play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare has been recreated by many different film directors based on their standpoint of the play. By analyzing the acting, lighting, direction, and the costume in act 3 scene 1, act 3, scene 4, and act 5, scene 2, both Branagh and Zefferelli's version of Hamlet have effective media components that develop both of their films in different ways. The acting in act 3, scene 4 in Branagh’s film is done exquisitely, Kenneth brought out the character of Hamlet to its full potential, The lighting in this scene of Zeffirelli's film was also very well done. The direction in act 3, scene 1 is played out perfectly and in a very intelligent manner. Lastly the Costume selection was chosen

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Franco Zeffirelli and Kenneth Branagh both have a very similar yet also contrasting approach with their adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The two films share similarities as well as differs with the inclusion and omission of the Freudian theory, which can affect the audience’s interpretation and understanding of the themes and plot of Hamlet. For example, Zeffirelli and Branagh share similarities in including Freud’s theory of id, ego, and superego. This can be seen in the climactic scene when Hamlet talks to his mother in the bedroom. In both adaptations, Hamlet’s id takes over as the conversation progresses and Hamlet progressively becomes more aggressive.

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In the Branagh adaptation, more emphasis is placed on feelings of betrayal due to Hamlet and Ophelia’s secret relationship. Most of the scene is focused on Ophelia’s father conversing with King Claudius, rather than focusing on Hamlet’s plotting. This takes the attention away from Hamlet focusing on avenging his father, instead making the conflict between Laertes and Hamlet for significant. In opposition, the Zeffirelli version fails to even include the important conversation between Claudius, Gertrude and Ophelia’s father. Instead, the emphasis was placed on Hamlet discussing with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about how he could go about killing Claudius.

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Branagh amplifies the scene by doing a lengthy medium shot that turns into a close up of Hamlet, doing a soliloquy, while the audience knows who lurks behind the mirror. The scene was really clever because it builds suspense when the audience knows something that one of the characters does not. Even though it may seem like it at first, the scene actually is not shown from Hamlets point of view in the film. The camera is ever-so-slightly positioned off of Hamlets shoulder, alluding to the fact Claudius and Polonius are watching his every move. After a timely shot of Hamlet doing his soliloquy, the atmosphere of the scene shifts from a slow, dark, drawn out speech, to a conversation with Ophelia.

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He is a good actor because he understood the character of Hamlet and you need to know how to be able to understand the character so you can play the part. Definitely wouldn’t recommend this movie to someone from my generation, because my generation is corrupt and would watch five minutes of the movie, then turn it off. But I would probably recommend it to one of my parents or grandparents because they would have more of an understanding to the

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