Headset Play Analysis

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.

The volume was good. All of the characters did speak correctly for the setting of the play. I think this because when I was watching it I was not trying to be able to hear everything because I could already hear everything. When I was watching the play I did not really realize any sound effects, but they did have a few songs. The opening song set the mood for the entire play which was a really good thing because it got the audience into the show. I could also clearly hear the performers and the pianist. The mood of the play was established in the very beginning and the

The props and costumes the Kenneth Branagh version used are very modern and unique while the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet costumes are more old and traditional. In the Kenneth Branagh version the costumes are very elegant while the costumes worn in the Mel Gibson version is seen more as rags. For instance, Ophelia is seen wearing old rags covering her when she acts insane in Act 4 Scene 5. In the Kenneth Branagh’s film the director uses flashbacks as a way to illustrate scenes like the scene where Gertrude explains Ophelia drowning in the river. Camera techniques in the Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet were creative as the camera slowly pulls back in Act 4 Scene 4 of Hamlet’s soliloquy. However in the Kenneth Branagh version the scenery and props adapt more to the Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.

The play was very well done and was not dull even though it was catered to a large audience. The musical numbers are very entertaining, and the spectacle, both visual and emotional, is well accomplished. I would recommend this to most children and adults, due to the Christmas themes and general lightheartedness of the play.

I will be honest with you I had a lot of trouble enjoying the play, like I said the dialect gave me trouble, plus my seats were not that great. I did however like the movie quite a bit, but I realize I am a product of a different generation as well. I have been brought up around TV and movies rather than plays

Sadly when I arrived at the theater I was not even sure I would be able to focus on the show, for my mother who was meant to see this production with me yet was unable to. Due to unforeseeable circumstances that neither one of us could for see and so with all of this hanging over head I was really hoping to get a laugh from this play, which it did. This was not the first time that I had come to see a play at Boise Little Theater, but definitely this was the first time that I had done it on my own. Which was a tad

As I have seen some performances prior to this one, my expectations are kind of not that high. As the play was prepared and performed by a team of theater students, I just expected there will be basic elements a play should have. I also did expect some extraordinary performances from the main actors because I got that every time I attended the plays on campus. LMU actors and actresses / theater-majors tended to surprise me every single time I attended their plays. I know they will eventually act for a living but the fact that they could memorize pages of script, successfully get into character and act all at the same time still baffled me very much.

When the audience first meets Hamlet, he is dressed in black. He is in mourning over the death of his father. When questioned by Gertrude about his attire and his disposition, Hamlet replies 'But I have that within which passeth show—these are but the trappings and the suits of woe.'; (Act 1,

Although the movie did tell the baseline story of the play I don’t think the movie captured what Shakespeare would have liked it to. The story of the play followed the originally play but I think the overall mental image and picture has more to do with the story than the story itself. The movie didn’t capture any of the original settings, or anything in that nature. It kept the story line, but then decided to take its own twist and turn on the vision of the play. The movie version did not in vison what Shakespeare would have wanted or tried to portray in his original

This was the first play or theatre performance that I have attended. I was unsure of what to expect, but I heard great things about this play. Furthermore, the first aspect of this production that caught my attention was the design of the set. The design gave the feeling of a run down urban neighborhood by making the outer parts of the stage look like an old brick building. The building looked like one you would find in a low-income area or projects. The scenery of the play set the stage for what type of production this would be. I especially liked the way they carefully chose not to place just any kind of props on the stage. The dusty

They all clearly worked very very hard to be able to accurately portray their characters effectively. One thing that really stuck out to me was Dayandra Leos portrait of Jean. I am able to say this because I personally know Dayandra and saw her in many high school production, but she fully became Jean. At times, I even forgot who she was, I forgot that she wasn’t her character. It was amazing. This also had to be one of her best performances that i've seen her do. She was completely believable and I was stunned by her. Another performance I found to be shocking was Matt Magaldi portrayal of Gordon Gottlieb. His entire monologue in the middle of the play was just so funny and honestly very well done. I actually believed that he was a horrible guy who sold organs and only cared about himself. The fact that the audience could be so close and still be fully immersed into the world is pure talent.

This film will provide you with an enhanced understanding of the play. Although, it is misleading at times, this version of the play will keep you fully entertained for the full 111 minutes and provide you with extra knowledge of the play. Casting The majority of the cast was well selected,

Throughout the play, I enjoyed the role of music used to set a comic atmosphere and replace the dialogs during comic scenes (e.g. when they chase each other around). I also thought that they made a good use of light to indicate the moment of the day the scene was happening or to set the atmosphere of the scene (e.g. pink colour during the romantic moments). Lastly, I liked the way the play ended. Even though it was a little messy with everyone running after each other off and on stage, and this policeman coming out of nowhere, which really surprised me; I couldn’t think of a better way to end the play.

Throughout the scene, Hamlet is wearing black, because he is still in mourning of the loss of his father, and wearing a stocking cap to be different from the rest of the Denmark organization. Throughout history, people have used dark colors to show mourning. In Act 1 Scene 2 the queen tells Hamlet to, “cast thy nighted color off,” (1.2. 68). This means the Hamlet is wearing black coloring, and his mother acknowledged it.

All the character were wearing normal clothing nothing special. In the first scene where Hamlet is approaching the press conference. He pulls up in a hat and loose fitting jeans he has this hipster type of look. A complete three sixty from the medieval clothing that he was in when Shakespeare wrote the play. Through the play he is wearing normal clothing that would have been popular in the 2000. For Ophelia she was dressed casual but her hair was in braids which is something that women would have worn in later years. I liked how they incorporated that in the movie. Claudius was far dressed from the typical king clothing he did not have a crown or anything like that. The entire movie he was dressed in a fancy suit and a suitcase which is the modern version of a