Compare And Contrast Hamlet Movies

The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast two movies made about Hamlet. I will present and discuss different aspects of the version directed by Kenneth Branagh to that of Franco Zefirelli. During this paper you will be presented with my opinions in reference to determining which version of Hamlet best reflects the original text by Shakespeare. I will end this paper with my belief and explanation of which movie is true to the original play.

     First off, the biggest difference is the time periods of each movie. The older movie was set in Early Renaissance times. The newer movie is set in the early ninety’s. Another difference is the use of special effects. In the

differences exist between the original play and the film. Apart from the specific techniques of lighting and

Hamlet is an acknowledging Shakespearean play that was later filmed in 1990 by Franco Zeffirelli and in 1996 by Kenneth Branagh. Both these directors interpret the play differently adding unique twists and turns of their own to help focus on one thing than the other. In their contrasting films, these two directors depict the character of Ophelia very differently. Through Zeffirelli’s film, Ophelia, played by Helena Bonham Carter is portrayed as a dreamy, naive, childish character, however in Branagh 's version; Kate Winslet portrays Ophelia as a more mature, sensible and strong willed character. These different portrayals of Ophelia can be further analyzed through cinematography, set and costume designs and through the actor themselves.

The difference between the setting shows how modern the Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet is compared

In Summary, with these three examples it is shown that the play and the movie contrast quite a bit. Most of the story line and the dialogue were very similar to the original story in the movie but some things were changed, possibly to shorten the story to be able to make

Many directors choose to make many different decisions when producing their version of Hamlet. Every actor portrays the character Hamlet in several ways making each version almost a new story. Mel Gibson's 1990 version and the 2009 David Tennant films are very different in style, scene omissions and several other aspects.

When comparing two different Hamlet movies I found that one scene in particular was obviously more different than the others. I compared Columbia pictures 1996 version with Kenneth Branagh playing the role of Hamlet versus BBC’s 2009 Hamlet in which David Tennant played the honorable role of Hamlet. When comparing both movies I found a lot of similarities but there was one major difference when I compared the “To be or not to be” scene. The scenes vary in multiple ways whether it is lighting, focus, camera movements, and even the actors that play Hamlet.

The first difference is the setting compared to the play and the movie. In the original play the setting takes place in Elsinore, Denmark in the royal palace in the late Middle Ages around the 14th and 15th century. The play starts off with the guards in the castle and Horatio who is one of the guards is the first to see the ghost.But as shown in the movie the setting starts off in New York City in the 2000’s. The director did this to make it different to the book and to other Hamlet movies. It made it more modern and interesting the director might have done this to make the audience understand the movie a little better.

In comparing the David Tennant version of Hamlet to other movie adaptations, it is clear that each one has it’s own unique way of presenting the story. The Mel Gibson version of hamlet takes place in a more traditional and medieval time. In adapting the play, this take on

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has countlessly been formatted into film depictions of the play. Each film seemed to be on one end of the spectrum of either being closely interpreted or completely remodeled a different idea of what Hamlet is. The film version of Hamlet released in 2000 seems to follow closely to the play in some aspects, yet at the same time having its own unique identity Despite there being many differences with the play Hamlet and the film adaptation of Hamlet (2000) by Michael Almereyda there are three categories that really stand out, those are the character portrayal, interrelationship between the characters, and some of the essential themes differ as well. Although there are many differences, one aspect that remains the same is the dialogue of the characters which stays true to the Shakespearean dialect.

With respect to age, the 1931 version used an older cast than the 1993 version. The older cast seems to portray a more conservative society. The younger cast portrays a questioning, more liberal society (maybe the society being formed as Generation X grows older?).

For instance, in both movies there were scenes in a city, battle field, and farm house. This is a dramatic aspect that was the same in both films. I liked the sets more in the remake because they were more detailed and, since technology is better now the special effects were more realistic. These are some contrasts and resemblances in the films dramatic

In both versions of the film, there were many characteristics and events that were extremely similar. Both took place in New York City. It had the same scene when George Wilson killed Gatsby. It also had when Gatsby, Tom, Daisy and Jordan going to the gas station. Also had when Myrtle Wilson Got hit by Daisy in the yellow car. Then when daisy hit Myrtle it showed Gatsby washing and cleaning the car. Gatsby having parties every week. Then also had Tom always cheating on daisy. Gatsby and Tom had the same cars. Nick always lived next to Gatsby.

The modern times of today allow for an open interpretation of most anything, but one thing that remains fairly constant is the understanding of history. When Shakespeare produced and published his play Hamlet, he gave an insight to the historical characteristics of the time period with the language he used and the descriptors of the characters. For example, Ophelia plays a large role in the play by being the love interest of Hamlet and the daughter of the man he killed. Shakespeare depicts her as a obedient family minded young girl which directly correlates to the mindframe of women during this time period. Women were meant to provide children and deal with all inner home related situations. Ophelia exposses herself as the obedinet daughter when she tells her father “’Tis in my memory locked, And you yourself shall keep the key of it” (Act 1 Scene 3). In this day and age most