A Comparison of two versions of Act V Scene I (Zeffirelli & Branagh)

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Hamlet has been reproduced as film from as early as the 1920s’s. Even though that was a five minuet, crude replication with sounds and music recorded separately: it was a five minuet crude replication of solely Act V Scene I. This is a scene of conclusion. The confrontation that has been brewing from the start finally ends in mass murder and regicide. In all interpretations this is an important part. Two examples of different interpretations are a pair in the 90’s directed by two well known men, for completely different purposes. Zeffirelli directed his interpretation in 1990 with major Hollywood stars like Mel Gibson as Hamlet. In comparison to that blockbuster, Branagh’s version was seven years later: an arts film with himself as the lead.

The 90’s Hamlet was set in a medieval castle in Scotland. This is reflected by the darkness of the settings, the layouts and decors of the rooms. There is also the sense of preparedness – this is a working fort built in solid stone as well as a beautiful home of the royal court. However in Branagh’s production there is a greater feel of luxury...

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