Branagh's 'Cinematic Interpretation Of Hamlet'

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Recommended: Madness within the hamlet

Research & discuss 3 different cinematic interpretations of Hamlet and how each alters the audience’s perception of a particular character.

Thesis: Branagh’s presentation of Hamlet’s madness is seen as explosively spontaneous compared to Olivier’s and Almereyda’s portrayal of Hamlet’s more controlled vengeance.

TOPIC 1 FROM THESIS: Branagh / Explosive Madness
1. Mise en scene is much brighter, with use of lots of whites and golds, to convey a sense of purity and opulence, however there is use of snow which conveys a dormant leadership (Act 1, Scene i) and always present when there is the ghost or the approaching army. Hamlet is usually above other characters physically, climbs stairs or ladder to do so.
2. The Mousetrap has fall colors in the backdrop, darkness, anger, decay. (Act III, Scene ii) Darkness when contemplating murder of Claudius when repenting (Act III, Scene iii), gravediggers also in darkness. Rare instances of darkness used for emphasis, usually when Hamlet is deep in thought. …show more content…

He has angry outbursts, particularly seen in villain/vengeance scene in library. (Act II, Scene ii) He’s much louder and uses his voice to draw attention to himself, projecting himself to others in the scene. Very physical when angry, such as his outburst at Ophelia.
4. Employs auteur theory of filmmaking, in which Branagh writes, directs, and stars in this production of Hamlet, as a result, artistic liberties, lighting, placement, portrayal and stage directions all convey the notions of Kenneth Branagh. Can be characterized with bright animated screenplay, very clear elements of madness, darkness, evil, and an aversion to foliage (Denmark rotting). All summarized with the final resolution of the play, lighting, character placement, props, and the details of the set. (Act V, Scene

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