Kenneth Branagh Hamlet Comparison Essay

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.

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

Tony Robbins said, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others”. Shakespeare’s writing has had many different ways of being presented because people perceive it in different ways. Whether it is a literal representation or a spin, directors like to show viewers the way they perceive the text. In the movie version of Hamlet the director, Kenneth Branagh, wanted the viewers to find Shakespeare interesting and full of action and drama. Kenneth chose the right direction to go in to keep the audience’s attention but it

One of the best known pieces of literature throughout the world, Hamlet is also granted a position of excellence as a work of art. One of the elements which makes this play one of such prestige is the manner in which the story unfolds. Throughout time, Shakespeare has been renowned for writing excellent superlative opening scenes for his plays. By reviewing Act 1, Scene 1 of Hamlet, the reader is able to establish a clear understanding of events to come. This scene effectively sets a strong mood for the events to come, gives important background information, and introduces the main characters. With the use of this information, it is simple to see how Shakespeare manages to create stories with such everlasting appeal.

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.

Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 filmic translation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a dramatic telling of the classic story which is as well acted as it is entertaining. Aside from these points, Zeffirelli's (and co-scripter Christopher Devore's) screenplay is an edited, and re-mixed version of the original which has many lines cut, as well as the entire sub plot concerning Fortenbras, completely removed. Franco Zefirelli's private interpretation of Hamlet, although divergent in some ways from Shakespeare's version, still remains a superior rendering, due to the continuity of the screenplay.

The Hamlet play by William Shakespeare, the “To Be or Not To Be” speech is a very famous soliloquy in English Literature. This piece refers to the theme of the afterlife, it also provides Hamlet’s continued reflecting contemplation between his ambiguous personalities. Throughout the speech Hamlet contemplated the thought of offing himself right then and there. This is shown by his depressed sequestered tone and his distressed actions with the dagger that successfully programs the audience to truly see what hides under Hamlet’s previous actions in the play. The Hamlet film by Olivier is most true to the original text because of the creative music choice, the actor’s actions and movements shown in the setting, and

Branagh has Polonius and Claudius spying on him from the other side of the mirror. He then has Hamlet speak into the mirror that they are hiding behind. By doing this, he has the audience in suspense because you have no idea if Hamlet knows that they are actually behind it. Branagh does not seem insane in that he would take his own life, rather he is enraged and searching for revenge. In this version we are left to wonder if Hamlet is talking to himself or to Polonius and Claudius.

Hamlet, starring Ethan Hawke and directed by Michael Almereyda, is an interesting adaptation, changing the time period of the original Hamlet, setting it in modern day New York City. Hamlet is struggling, working for Denmark Corporation. Similar to the original play, Hamlet’s father is killed by his power hungry brother, and becomes the “king”, however in this case; it is the CEO of the company. Almereyda modernizes this tale through the use of surveillance cameras and setting. Overall, the plot of the play is the same, however, positions, such as the king, are changed to company positions, such as CEO. Like most movies, ambient sound is prevalent through the entire movie, creating suspense and other tones. Though most critics praised Almereyda for his work, not all agreed that it was a great adaptation. Hamlet (2003) is an adaptation that creates a different take on the Shakespearean play,

I will be examining approaches taken by directors and actors across the history of filmed Hamlets to create Hamlet’s famous speech, focusing on

Laurence Olivier (1948) and Kenneth Branagh (1996) both created films about the Shakespearean play Hamlet, yet they are both very different. The two films were created fifty years apart and present their film using their own perspectives and interpretations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet while using the same themes Shakespeare had. Two important themes are the use of technology and treatment of women.

Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet,” was made into a film in 1996. When comparing and contrasting the two, there are many similarities. This is due to the creators using the original Shakespearean version of the script, but there are also a couple of differences. The 1996 film is very close to being an exact copy to the play in the sense that the script is the used as written.

The Closet Scene in the Shakespearian play “Hamlet” was viewed in three different films. The scene done by Mel Gibson was the best adaptation because it was filmed exactly how it was written in the play. Mel Gibson was successful by evoking a strong emotional response within the audience when Hamlet was shown being aggressive toward his mother, with the strong presence of the Oedipus complex. The setting in this version was true to the text-unlike Hawke’s version which was very modern-as they were in an older setting which the text was in, an older time, when royalty strongly ruled different counties, and they strongly believed in religion. However, in the adaptation by Ethan Hawke, the setting appeared to be in a city. This version had cut

‘Hamlet' is a tragic play phenomenally written by William Shakespeare the most famous playwright in literature history. It was written within the Elizabethan era from 1599 – 1602. ‘Hamlet’ was first performed in July 1602 and first printed in 1603. ‘Hamlet' is Shakespeare's longest play and most performed; it is considered as one of the greatest, influential works of literature. The play is derived from the legend of Amleth and is set in the kingdom of Denmark; with the classic story of a tragic hero. The play dramatises the revenge the protagonist Prince Hamlet wants to inflict on his uncle – Claudius, who murdered Hamlet’s father, to seize the throne. ‘Hamlet’ is over four-hundred years old, but the connection Shakespeare makes with modern society is timeless. ‘Hamlet’ is a tragic story entangled in a web of deceit and vengeance. Shakespeare articulates numerous themes within ‘Hamlet’ which people experience today such as; contemplating suicide, deception and revenge.