Franco Zeffirellis Honesty Adaptation Of Hamlet

In Franco Zeffirellis’ honest adaptation of Hamlet, the theme of revenge, portrayed by a grieving Hamlet, is the singular focus of this film by emphasizing on the dialogue of Prince Hamlet and the various degree of shots that give priority to the Prince and his activities. Secondary themes and side plots were seemingly excluded from the movie as to completely shift the focus to the young Prince and his intriguing behavior. Franco Zeffirellis in his cinematic adaptation of the famous play cut dialogue that he felt did not work well in his movie, or that did not play of enough importance. Camera angles and prolonged shots seemed to focus on Prince Hamlet, his face and emotions were made of importance over the characters. The theme of revenge of being prevalent in the movie and the play. In the movie Hamlet the Prince of Denmark, played by Mel Gibson, seeks out the revenge for his father

In the play Hamlet, there was a character who was almost completely left out of the movie. Prince Fortinbras was travelling through Denmark with his army and was staying a while in Elsinor. His character was a man of honor and nobility for when Hamlet was struck to his death he ordered “…four captains bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage; for he was likely, had he been put on.”(Shakespeare). Prince Fortinbras was noticeably a very honorable man in the play, while in the movie he was almost completely cut out. Zeffirelli left out Fortinbras so to boast the importance of the singular story of Hamlet. Adam Schrader, a professional Blogger, argues that “…Zeffirelli cuts a lot of important things from the play but [that is] irrelevant because [Zeffirelli] a master film maker who pulled the human spirit and hidden depths from a hyper-analyzed play” (Schrader). Zeffirelli did not want anyone to steal the spot light from Prince Hamlet, so all unnecessary themes were cut