Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation and version of William Shakespeare's Hamlet is better than David Tennant's Hamlet because of the way the directors were able to establish the setting and because the way that the characters were able to interpret and act out the scene. The setting that was used in this version of the play was able to show the formality of the era and setting. The setting established the importance of the king and the queen by placing them at the highest point in the room. The setting also gives the character a visual performance of where the characters would be in the scene. This interpretation by the acting company is a clear resemblance of the era that the play has established and how the setting would've been like in the
time of the play. The actors showed a clear interpretation of the characters and what they were feeling and trying to prove. Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation of Hamlet shows how Hamlet was eagerly waiting to see his uncle's reaction to the play. Derek Jacobi's version of King Claudius was well interpreted because it was a clear for the spectator that King Claudius felt threatened and was disturbed by the play. The way the characters interacted with each other also showed the state of the relationships for example the way Kate Winslet interpreted Ophelia and her reactions to Hamlet's actions showed that she was uncomfortable. The way that the setting was established also worked to show how the audience in the play reacted to the play and how just as Hamlet they were waiting for a reaction from the King. The play within the play was produced to purposefully allow the tension to rise until the part where the King rises and stops the play. This set the scene because it allowed for characters like Hamlet to obtain the spotlight and talk not only to the King but to the audience by standing on the stage where the play was being acted on. The use of flashbacks in the King's mind also created the connection between the play within the play and the purpose of the play and also made it clear for the viewer that the King felt threatened and that his reaction to the play proved Hamlet’s purpose and that this scene was going to set up the rest of the play. The setting and the interpretation of the actors made this one of the best visual performances of Hamlet. The way Kenneth Branagh was able to use the setting to make his characters message more clear and the way that King Claudius made his reaction to the play clear allowed the spectator the understand the scene without fully understanding the lines.
The two versions of Hamlet, that I compared for Act III, Scene i are Hamlet starring Mel Gibson released in 1990 and Hamlet staring Kennith Branagh released in 1996. Theses two were interpreted differently even though they followed the play written by William Shakespeare somewhere between 1599 and 1602. Both of these recreations were set in Denmark in a royal palace. However, scenery was different and so was costume design.
During class we have reviewed many versions of the play Hamlet. The two movie versions that I chose to compare on the play Hamlet are the David Tennant version and the Kenneth Branagh version. I chose these two versions because these were the two that most interested me. I believe that some scenes from each movie were better than the other, but overall I liked these two versions just as equally. The three main scenes that stood out to me that I will be comparing are ‘Ophelia’s Mad Scene’, the ‘Hamlet Kills Polonius’ scene, and Hamlet’s ‘To be or not to be’ scene.
In conclusion, The Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet was the most successful because it was very similar to the original play of Hamlet written by Shakespeare. The film version of Hamlet featuring Kenneth Branagh is a more successful production of Shakespeare’s play of Act IV according to its setting, editing choices and character portrayal. The two film versions of Act IV of Hamlet have many differences and similarities. Therefore the adaptation of Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet brings the audience closer to the play.
Firstly I would set this play in the 21st century so that a modern audience could relate to it. Algernon, one of the main characters in the play, would live in a luxury apartment in the centre of London, over looking the River Thames. His apartment would have a minimalist theme to it and would be influenced by aesthetic; for example he would have a piece of abstract art on the wall for no reason other than that he thinks it looks nice.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a story about a king that was murdered by his brother and the prince has been asked by his father?s ghost to avenge his murder. The original story line has been altered a few times since it has been written. The original Hamlet the play and the altered Hamlet the movie are shown differently in many different ways. Hamlet the movie with Mel Gibson shows different things than the play, but there are three major differences between the two. The three major differences are in the way both of the productions start out, differences in the scene that the players put on a play, and differences in the way the productions end.
Almost everything is different when comparing the ghost scenes of Kenneth Branagh and Mel Gibson takes’ on Hamlet. Two similarities are Hamlet’s clothing and the characters’ names remain the same. While both films are good in their own lights, there is clearly a more appealing film for a shakespeare amature much like myself. The Mel Gibson version of Hamlet appeals to me the most as of now because of the setting, acting, and understanding.
“I like the movie but it was not as good as the book” is a saying that is said by most people. In most cases, a movie changes drastically from the book it is based on. Hamlet is one of those cases. Although it does not change completely, there are some big differences and similarities within the book and movie. Reading the play and then watching the movie makes it easier to pick out the differences and similarities. Being able to compare and contrast the movie and play of Hamlet might make it easier to decide which one is better or which one gives a better story. The movie and play of Hamlet are different because of the chronological order, parts being left out and parts being added. They are the same in ways through dialogue, characters,
Although each movie has its own identity, there are some specific elements of the mise-en-scene that are apparent throughout every film. Some movies are better able to represent there elements such as the wardrobe, imagery, camera work and casting. After going through the main parts of each Hamlet film in my opinion the Hamlet by Kenneth Branagh was the most successful and the least successful was Almereyda’s version with Ethan Hawke. It didn’t seem like it would appeal to most Hamlet viewers. The element of the mise-en-scene stack up for Branagh’s Hamlet and makes it the best one. Hamlet has come a long way since first being written and these movies have only pushed it in a forward direction for many generations to enjoy.
Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing While Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing have the same author, they both have similarities and differences in themes. Some people live their life looking for love and never finding it, it is often said that you will find love when you least expect it. Both plays have common beliefs of love, marriage, however, death is viewed very differently. Love in Hamlet is often depressing, even though love is wanted by all. What is the point in loving somebody if they are going to die anyway?
Claudius Vs. Hamlet Is Claudius a worthy adversary for Hamlet? Some would argue that Claudius was not even close to being worthy enough to be Hamlet's opponent, but if you look at all of the evidence in the play, you might think otherwise. First of all, Claudius was obviously worthy if Hamlet was the one who chose to seek revenge. There are also so many minor details that add up when comparing Claudius with Hamlet.
The classic play of Hamlet, by Kenneth Branagh (1996) and Franco Zeffirelli (1990), bring forth two different analyses and versions of Shakespeare’s script. Though, they are similar in the storyline and the themes, conflicts, both editions represent intense and dramatic dissimilarities with creative ways of portraying many ideas. The most obvious differences were the setting including time period, how characters were portrayed in terms of both personality and social class and costumes. Franco Zeffirelli created a Shakespeare Hamlet edition that would be appealing to younger viewers. Zefferelli’s cinematography is rather physical than intellectual and rational. Zeffirelli’s version was different than common plays, the setting took place in
1)Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy, “Hamlet,” critiques the society of Denmark using powerful mononlogues and dramatic action. On the other hand, Wilde’s comic drama pokes fun at the high morality of Victorian Society. One serious theme that I noticed in “The Importance of being Ernest” was the consistent act of deception throughout the entire play. However this lack of honesty was not lonesome for insightful comedy and a visible foreshadowing of upcoming events accompanied it. Meaning that the play was cleverly written with humor and provided us with an obvious chain of facts that would lead up to us unraveling the end of the play. This play critiques the need to lie or exaggerate the truth, in order to “fit in” the norm of English society during the 1890’s. The unique characters in this play portray a nonchalant attitude along with subtle gestures in a tribute to not being (earnest); they were not being honest. Specifically, they all had unique characteristics that made it easier for them to not being honest. Once it starts, it continues and that is evident within the characters of this play. That is why there is always an “Importance of Being Earnest”. One could read Hamlet simply, simplistically even, as a revenge tragedy. Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, is killed by his brother, Claudius, who, overriding the rights of succession, appropriates both the crown and the wife of Hamlet’s father. The ghost of the father reveals everything to his s...
Different adaptations of William Shakespeare’s works have taken various forms. Through the creative license that artists, directors, and actors take, diverse incarnations of his classic works continue to arise. Gregory Doran’s Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet bring William Shakespeare’s work by the same title to the screen. These two film adaptations take different approaches in presenting the turmoil of Hamlet. From the diverging takes on atmosphere to the characterization of the characters themselves, the many possible readings of Hamlet create the ability for the modification of the presentation and the meaning of the play itself. Doran presents David Tenant as Hamlet in a dark, eerie, and minimal setting; his direction highlighting the
In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the main character, Hamlet, is often perceived by the other characters in the play as being mentally unbalanced because he acts in ways that drive them to think he is mad. Hamlet may very well be psychotic; however, there are times when he “feigns insanity” in order to unearth the truth surrounding his father's death. This plan seems to be going well until Hamlet's mental state slowly begins to deteriorate. What began as an act of insanity or antic disposition transitions from an act to a tragic reality. After studying Hamlet's actions, one will notice that as the play progresses, his feigned insanity becomes less and less intentional and devolves into true mental illness.
Michael Almereyda’s movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet brings about a new perspective through its performance. The movie adaptation, Hamlet (2000), retells the original play in a modernized setting, bringing out various different elements of characters, which highlights a new reading of these characters as individuals, and a newfangled reading of the play as well. Throughout the movie, Ophelia and Gertrude, the woman-leads, are advanced in a progressive manner compared to the original play. In particular, Gertrude from Hamlet (2000) is noticeably altered from Hamlet, the play. This new interpretation of Gertrude and the play created by the movie adaptation advances the position of Gertrude as a woman, as well as motifs of incest, misogyny,