Comparing Hamlet And Branagh's Film

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.

Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation of Hamlet emphasized different importance's of the play. His version differs from that of Zeffirelli’s because; he makes use of the entire text from Shakespeare’s original work. Branagh also does not hold the time period authentic. Although his version of the play was not altered as much as Zeffirelli’s, he is still able to hold the attention of modern critics and viewers. However, by transfiguring the play into a Victorian background, Branagh’s film completely alters the mindset and feel of a true Shakespearean play.

     Gertrude as well is exploited by men throughout the play. Gertrude is seen as a prize to Claudius, a way for him to succeed to the thrown without having Hamlet take over. Although it is not doubted that he loves her, but he first uses her to get the kingship without question. Claudius has been wooing Gertrude even before the death of the king, which a reason for the “most wicked speed” in which they were married. (Act 1, scene 2. line 156) Gertrude is also used by Polonius, but more so she allows him to spy on her having a discussion with Hamlet. Polonius tells the Queen that Hamlet is coming to her private chambers and that she should have a discussion with him on his lately “unrestrained” acts. She replies to Polonius that she will “warrant” him, and “fear [her] not” for she is on his side. (Act 3 Scene 4 Lines 1-7) Gertrude however is not an unintelligent woman, so a reader would wonder why she would allow herself to be exploited by Claudius. Carolyn G. Heliburn agrees with Gertrude’s intelligence saying that her speeches are “not the mark of a dull and shallow woman.”

Hamlet, a tragedy by William Shakespeare shows a lot of adaptations to movies. Hamlet by Mel Gibson (1990) and Kenneth Branagh (1996) interpret and portray the play by Shakespeare in different ways. The two film versions of Act IV of Hamlet have many differences and similarities. Kenneth Branagh’s version of Hamlet is seen covering most of the original text of Shakespeare’s play of Hamlet unlike the Mel Gibson version which omits many scenes and dialogues. The film version of Hamlet featuring Kenneth Branagh is a more successful production of Shakespeare’s play of Act IV according to its setting, editing choices and character portrayal.

Kenneth Branagh made it seem like Hamlet was following his father’s orders even though in the play he wasn’t. This made the audience feel better about Hamlet because he was actually taking action. Although Kenneth’s version of Hamlet’s character took action it is not as tragic as Hamlet’s character in the play because by Hamlet not taking action it shows how sensitive and hurt he was.

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.

Over the course of the past fifty years there have been many cinematic productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, some of which remain true to the text while others take greater liberties with the original format. Director Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 production of Hamlet was true to Shakespeare’s work in that the film’s dialogue was delivered word or word as it is presented in the text. In contrast, Franco Zeffirelli conducted his 1990 production of Hamlet in a much more liberal direction in which lines, scenes and characters were omitted from the film. I argue that from the perspective of an individual with moderate knowledge in Shakespearian literature, that the best film versions of Hamlet are those that take the most liberties from the text. I

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet there are many unanswered questions such as if Hamlet is really mad or if it is just an act. There are many film adaptations which use their movie elements in order to hint towards the answer of these questions. In Gregory Doran’s film interpretation Hamlet starring David Tennant, David Tennant truly shows the raw emotions of Hamlet. He shows how Hamlet feels through his movements and facial expressions. These little things allow the viewer to see the true meaning and intention behind Hamlet’s words.

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.

To begin, many parts of Kenneth Branagh’s depiction of Hamlet are effective, as they use cinematic elements to illustrate the depth of the play. First, Branagh’s version uses music throughout the scenes to emphasize emotions and conflict. During scene one, at the battlements of Elsinore Castle, the director incorporates trumpets and bells to signify the royal aspect of the setting, but then transitions into softer, more haunting music, creating an ominous atmosphere. Furthermore, the music is especially effective during transitions between scenes. When Hamlet discovers Horatio and Marcellus have seen the ghost, it produces suspense, as he predicts “foul deeds will rise” (1.2.256). This emphasizes the disorder caused by King Hamlet’s ghost roaming Elsinore, and

She is the type of woman who never thinks too deeply into a situation, which is where her and Hamlet are complete opposites. Hamlet put on a play to get a reaction out of his mother, but instead she responded casually. She didn’t put the pieces together as to how the story line related to her, but she did mention that all widows would like to remarry soon and suggested that Player Queen was an unrealistic character. By doing this, Gertrude shows the audience and her son that she doesn’t possess the thought process to make the connection between her life and the Player Queen’s life. Although she shows genuine concern of people’s feelings, she doesn’t react in a way that would help.

Hamlet, one of the most intricate and influential plays by Shakespeare, debatably of all time. It has inspired not only appreciative readers and writing critiques but continuous generations of people. The inspiration led to the fabrication of many great movies, which wasn’t achievable until the 20th century. Before cinema was the prevalent method of sharing appreciation and spilling emotion for a specific subject, art portrayed what would fly through our minds such as the many interpretations of Ophelia’s death. With the imagery put into motion we can try and pick apart how certain people might view the play being portrayed and choose what best suits our expectation of this tragedy. Other things that only film has been able to present to

In Hamlet, Queen Gertrude is a major role in the development of Hamlet’s character. She is the immoral mother figure who argues against her son throughout the book. Despite this, she does not display authority roles and decisions, unlike her modern day counterparts. Queen Gertrude exhibited a lack of authority, despite being a Queen, and is comparable to that of the modern woman, who display more independent and leadership roles.

Shakespeare’s fictional character of Gertrude is one who deeply loves and cares for the men in her life. In Hamlet, she fulfills the roles of wife and mother to the play’s strongest male characters, in addition to being the Queen of Denmark. The virtuous character of Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet suffers immensely throughout the play due to her most critical flaw: her devotion to the men in her life. This is true for four reasons. First, this character is portrayed through the common opinion formed of her by male characters throughout the work. Second, her patriarchy views her in regards to her relationship choices with male characters. Third, Gertrude is not given the opportunity to put her well-being above that of the men. Finally, the men in her life use her to their own advantage.

In “A Heart Cleft in Twain”, Rebecca Smith argues that the character of Gertrude is in fact not the aggressive and determined character that many film and stage adaptations portray her to be. The text as a stand alone portrays her as one who lives to please the men in her life. Smith also argues that she does not go through any changes or development throughout the play, and that she has “not moved in the play towards independence” (206). Although I agree with the notion that Gertrude strives to please Hamlet and Claudius, I believe her loyalties to the two of them change throughout the play, which is her most dramatic development. I would also like to argue that several stage and film adaptations portray her in the way Smith imagines Gertrude