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The Kenneth Branagh Hamlet is my favorite. I recommend this video and screenplay to any student who must study Hamlet. It features top production values and the entire story, including the drama's framing element, Fortinbras. If you accept the theory on Shakespeare's doubles, Fortinbras is the real double to Hamlet. All the other video versions omit this frame, leaving the audience with a different play. Branagh's strength in all his Shakespeare films is that he bridges the gap between the Elizabethan language and the modern audience with visuals. This makes the story accessible to an audience who is just seeing a movie, not a Shakespeare performance. He does this superbly in Hamlet. I think he goes a little over board, but people I saw the movie with who are not Shakespeare lovers disagreed with me. Branagh's films always make me fall in love with a character who may have struck a soft chord when I read the play, like Horatio, "more an antique Roman than a Dane." Nicholas Farrell is, by far, the best Horatio on film. Before Titanic, Kate Winslet played Ophelia in Branagh's Hamlet. When the whole text of the play is performed, most Ophelias are tedious. The audience is actually relieved when she meets her demise. Winslet's Ophelia will win your heart, and you will understand why her (perceived) betrayal strikes such a blow to Hamlet. Branagh's Hamlet has a sense of humor that is lost in most of the other film portrayals. His Hamlet is not mad -- he may wish he is mad, but he is not. He must reconcile his pledge to his father with his intellectual understanding of right and wrong. Branagh's view of the play includes the political intrigue that is part of his struggle and since he includes the entire text of the play, he keeps the audience aware of Fortinbras and his movements. As always, Branagh has his "international" cast. Out of all the "stars" who make short appearances, Billy Crystal stands out. He plays the part of the boss gravedigger, and he does it well. The cinematography is a work of art. There is an incredible shot when the King's men pursue Hamlet after he kills Polonious. All the work with the mirrors in the great hall is breathtaking. The great hall both "reflects" and conceals -- the cinematography captures this. Although Branagh sometimes goes a little over the top (especially his Evita pose at the end) -- he goes so far because he truly loves the material. The viewer cannot help but be captured and taken along on Prince Hamlet's wild ride.
In 1949, Laurence Olivier's Hamlet swept the Academy Awards. The Olivier Hamlet is a very dark, secretive Hamlet. It is not a complete text; it omits the Fortinbras story line. This is one of the "Freudian" Hamlets. At the time this film was made, there was a popular theory that Hamlet was the ultimate Oedipal struggle. If you take this view of the play, you can easily omit the Fortinbras frame. The Freudian theory is not plausible if the political murmuring and war-like preparations are omitted. It's still excellent entertainment. Perhaps it should be called a Freudian Hamlet. The Olivier Hamlet is brief and dark. It was shot in black and white. I recommend this to Olivier fans and viewers who are interested in classic films.
The Zeffirelli/Mel Gibson Hamlet is, of course, a more modern interpretation. One of my favorite parts in any Hamlet, stage or screen, is the appearance of the Ghost. The Ghost in this Hamlet is very understated. No fog, no thunder or lightening, and he's not wearing armor. The first appearance by the ghost is omitted, and when it is described to Hamlet the characters omit the reference to the ghost's attire. This is not incongruous within the film. Like in his Romeo and Juliet, this Zeffirelli film opens with a funeral. In Hamlet, it is the King Hamlet's funeral, followed immediately by the wedding. Alan Bates is wonderful as Claudius and since this is a Zeffirelli production, it is lush. The costumes are opulent when pageantry is appropriate and in the scenes of everyday living, the costumes are very textured--lots of wool and fur. Ian Holm is one of my favorite actors and he does his usual good work as Polonius. Some writers characterize Hamlet as a play filled with eavesdropping. In the Zeffirelli Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark is often skulking about, listening and observing in secret. This listening and observing action is important in all Hamlets, and Zeffirelli captures it well. The set in this Hamlet is a dark castle, with great stone staircases, huge pillars, and many rooms without sunlight. This is not a flat, oppressive darkness. This darkness sometimes hides the beauty of the castle and keeps secrets. But within the darkness there are spaces of muted light that reveal much to the audience. Zeffirelli's Hamlet falls into the Freudian trap. Big Time. Glenn Close, who plays Gertrude, and Hamlet (Mel Gibson) seem to have an extreme devotion bordering on the unhealthy. Gibson's Hamlet is not well and he suffers under the strain of his decision (or non-decisiveness). I do not look at Zeffirelli to provide new views of Shakespeare. But for entertainment value you must give him an A. The production value of his films is always top-notch. His interpretations are pretty standard and pretty old fashioned. Mel Gibson gives a wonderful performance. He steps away from his standard type and does a fine job.
The Hamlet that features Nicol Williamson as Hamlet also features Anthony Hopkins as Claudius, Marianne Faithful as Ophelia and Gordon Jackson (Mr. Hudson from Upstairs, Downstairs) as Horatio. This is a condensed Hamlet, following the Freudian link between Hamlet and his mother. Anthony Hopkins is appropriately sleezy as Claudius. This is a not an easy Hamlet, but it does qualify for inclusion here because it has a great affection for the source. If you are looking for a Hamlet that can bridge the gap for viewers not familiar with the play, I recommend the Branagh Hamlet.
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The Derek Jacobi Hamlet is wonderful. It is very expensive in this country, but in Britain it goes for the regular price (on the PAL format, unfortunately). This is a minimalist Hamlet. Most of the set effects are achieved with lighting and very sparse objects. The focus is directly on the play. Jacobi is magnificent, and this must rank as one of the truly fine performances captured on film. Jacobi's skill as an actor aside, this version is also interesting because Patrick Stewart plays Claudius, and he has hair! This Hamlet is part of the BBC-TV series that is available on video. These are a little too costly for me, but my library carries them. Like the rest of the series, this Hamlet includes the full text, making it a story that includes not only murder, madness and incest, but political intrigue and the drum of war as well.
All of these films are well done, and done with great affection for the source. Updated 11/29/98 |
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