The first version of Hamlet showed a great deal of emotions. Mel Gibson played a commendable Hamlet. He showed his emotions well. During the conversation with his father we can see all the anger, and sadness that is building up. We can feel the intensity between the two characters. The Ghost's tone was sorrowful. The darkness during the conversation made it more suspenseful. Overall, Zeffirelli kept his version liberal and accurate.
Branagh's choice of music and how fast he wanted the actors to speak in the beginning of the scene added a feeling of anxiety. When Branagh ran through the forest, the special effects that were added, took away from the scene. It was cliche in my opinion. However, aside from the bad effects the Ghost was well played. The difference between Branagh's ghost and Zeffirelli's is the tone. Branagh's version of the Ghost sounded more spiteful. He strikes more fear than his counter part. The he way he looked was more evil. Also, Branagh's Hamlet was less sympathetic than Gibson. Unlike Gibson he wasn't as convincing.
Michael Almereyda's version offered a different view on Hamlet. Compared to the other versions, Hawke is much younger. The Ghost was much more hands on. He was able to touch him while the other versions vanish as Hamlet tries to hold him. The lighting made it less intense. The subtle music in the background intensified towards the end giving off a feeling of sadness. The hug and the Ghost's final words "Remember me" was more sympathetic than the other ones.
I agree on most of your commentary for all three of the Hamlet versions we watched in class. I felt the intensity as well in the first version between the Ghost and young Hamlet. The darkness did provide the suspense enough for the entire scene and the director kept it accurate like you said. The second version however feels underrated as you describe it, although you have more to say about it. I felt the Ghost was right to be surrounded with a whole lot of special effects and a mysterious background along with a terrifying voice. To me that is how a Ghost should appear, more of an intense frightful being than a subtle sympathetic ghost like the first and second versions. "Remember me" was more sympathetic in the last version of the scene.
ReplyDelete