Branagh"s Version:
Branaugh does a good job of portraying Hamlet in the ghost scene in Act 1 of the play. The setting takes place in the dark woods. This already adds a sense of fear to the scene. Hamlet is frightened by his father's ghost. The scene starts off with the ghost's voice. After a few seconds he appears. While the ghost voice is talking, Branagh uses props such as bubbling waters and smoke. These are only seen for a couple of seconds. The whole time, there is music playing in the background but it is not loud.Throughout the scene, the ghost has alot of flashback to when he was alive and one of the flashbacks he has is how his brother killed him by pouring liquid from a vile into his ear. Towards the end of the scene, there is an emphasis on Hamlet and the ghost's eyes as they exchange looks. The scene ends with their eyes.
Zeffirelli's Version:
Zeffirelli's version of the ghost scene is not very long but enough to understand the jist of it. The setting takes place outside in the dark. Mel Gibson is Hamlet. The wind is blowing very strongly in the background but there is no music. As Hamlet, hears the voice if the ghost, he holds out his sword. The ghost does not really come to him directly but rather leans on a wall the whole time he is speaking to Hamlet. The ghost is not really as scary as the ghost in Branaugh's version of the scene.
Overall, both directors did a good job of portraying Hamlet in the ghost scene. As for Zeffirelli, he could have done a better job at making the ghost appear more frightening. The ghost could have had a bit more emotion and movement rather than just speaking to Hamlet from a distance. Other than that, everything else was fine. The setting in both version agrees with the scene that was taking place. It was not contrary to the scene. Also both director did a good job at using props. The version that I prefer is Branaugh's version. The music in the background builds up more suspense and so do the ghost's light blue eyes.
*I could not find Ameyrelda's version of the ghost scene on youtube*
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
"TO BE OR NOT TO BE"
Olivier's Hamlet:
Olivier's version of Hamlet is clearly a much older version of the play. The setting takes place on a cliff in the middle of the waters. The camera is strictly focused on Hamlet (the actor).Throughout the scene, there is music playing. As Hamlet talks louder and becomes more dramatic, the music gets louder as well. The author uses the music to add more suspence and excitement to the scene. As the music is playing in the background, Hamlet is holding a knife. He brings the knife closer and closer as if he is going to kill himself. Instead he throws the knife in the waters beneath him and the music stops there.
Zefferelli's Hamlet:
Zefferelli's version of Hamlet is a bit more modern than Olivier's version. His version takes place in a dungeon type room. The room is mostly dark and the whole time as Hamlet is speaking he is walking. Perhaps there is meaning to Hamlet's footsteps throughout the scene. In this version of the play, there is no music in the background, simply just Hamlet talking. Also the author does not use much props. The only prop that he uses is the small statue of a dead person. This adds more meaning to the speech. It is ironic that Hamlet is speaking about death and there just so happens to be a statue of a dead person near him.
Branaugh's Hamlet:
In this version of the play, Hamlet is in a mansion room talking to himself in a mirror. There is music playing but it is very soft in the background. Also, Hamlet is not as dramatic as in other versions of the play. He whispers the whole time. Hamlet is also dressed up rather lavishly. As he gets more into the speech, he starts to become dramatic but not much. He pulls out a knife from his pocket and as he gets louder he holds the knife to his face as if he is about to kill himself.
Almeyrada's Hamlet.
His version of the play is perhaps the most modern of all four. Hamlet is walking down the aisles of what seems to be a movie rental store. As he walks downs the aisles, he walks down the action movie aisle. The television is on and playing different scenes of natural disasters such as fires and things burning up. In this version. Hamlet has no weapon and he is dressed more casual.
Hamlet is can be interpreted in so many different ways. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why there are so many different versions of the play. The version of the play that I liked the most was Almeyrada's version which is the most modern. I liked it the most because not only did I understand it better, but Hamlet's emotion is expressed so much more vehemently and the director uses good props. The props that the director used add more drama to the scene. You get a better feel that Hamlet is suicidal and you understand more where he is coming from especially when he mentions the natural disasters. Almeyrada's version of Hamlet was the easiest for me to understand.
Olivier's version of Hamlet is clearly a much older version of the play. The setting takes place on a cliff in the middle of the waters. The camera is strictly focused on Hamlet (the actor).Throughout the scene, there is music playing. As Hamlet talks louder and becomes more dramatic, the music gets louder as well. The author uses the music to add more suspence and excitement to the scene. As the music is playing in the background, Hamlet is holding a knife. He brings the knife closer and closer as if he is going to kill himself. Instead he throws the knife in the waters beneath him and the music stops there.
Zefferelli's Hamlet:
Zefferelli's version of Hamlet is a bit more modern than Olivier's version. His version takes place in a dungeon type room. The room is mostly dark and the whole time as Hamlet is speaking he is walking. Perhaps there is meaning to Hamlet's footsteps throughout the scene. In this version of the play, there is no music in the background, simply just Hamlet talking. Also the author does not use much props. The only prop that he uses is the small statue of a dead person. This adds more meaning to the speech. It is ironic that Hamlet is speaking about death and there just so happens to be a statue of a dead person near him.
Branaugh's Hamlet:
In this version of the play, Hamlet is in a mansion room talking to himself in a mirror. There is music playing but it is very soft in the background. Also, Hamlet is not as dramatic as in other versions of the play. He whispers the whole time. Hamlet is also dressed up rather lavishly. As he gets more into the speech, he starts to become dramatic but not much. He pulls out a knife from his pocket and as he gets louder he holds the knife to his face as if he is about to kill himself.
Almeyrada's Hamlet.
His version of the play is perhaps the most modern of all four. Hamlet is walking down the aisles of what seems to be a movie rental store. As he walks downs the aisles, he walks down the action movie aisle. The television is on and playing different scenes of natural disasters such as fires and things burning up. In this version. Hamlet has no weapon and he is dressed more casual.
Hamlet is can be interpreted in so many different ways. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why there are so many different versions of the play. The version of the play that I liked the most was Almeyrada's version which is the most modern. I liked it the most because not only did I understand it better, but Hamlet's emotion is expressed so much more vehemently and the director uses good props. The props that the director used add more drama to the scene. You get a better feel that Hamlet is suicidal and you understand more where he is coming from especially when he mentions the natural disasters. Almeyrada's version of Hamlet was the easiest for me to understand.
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