"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.