Explore the similarities and differences Essay

Shakespe bes sure Hamlet was written in text, however Kenneth Branagh created a film version of the play as did Franco Zeffirelli. for the first time there are many advantages that film productions have over plays written in text only. For example, Shakespeares Hamlet cornerstonenot portray certain visual elements that can be vital in the understanding of a play but film has that advantage and therefore can add such details as settings, characters and their costumes and body language. Even the way that a line is spoken can make a big difference in its portrayal to the audience.For example in Branaghs version of Hamlet, whilst talking about the ghost he pauses before he says the word, apparition, which gives the impression he is confused as to how he will break the spirit seen of King Hamlet. Film can use music in the background to suit the mood of the particular fit. For example in the opening scene of Hamlet by Branagh there is much imagery created even before any dialogue is u sed. There is an imposing view of the Kings castle at wickedness whilst ghostly bells toll the midnight hour and you hear the crunching footsteps of Francisco guarding the gates.Just these few devices mixed together instantly create an atmosphere that cannot be recognised so slow in Shakespeares Hamlet. Instead, Whos there? Barnado says. Starting off with a question like this immediately sets a mood of apprehension that Branagh captures when Barnado jumps on conduce of Francisco whilst shouting Whos there? Also Shakespeares broken and short dialogue creates unease and confusion adding to the dark atmosphere. For example the first six lines are short and seem anxious and nervous Whos there? / Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself./ Long live the King / Barnado? / He. / You come most cautiously upon your hour. Both Shakespeares and Branaghs Hamlet are different in the way Branaghs is in the format of film and Shakespeares is only text. however they are very kindred in the way they both(prenominal) create a dark, corrupt atmosphere Branagh with his dramatic imagery and Shakespeare with his broken, short dialogue. Also with Shakespeares Hamlet, Francisco says, Tis bitter cold, and I am sick at heart, just this single sentence adds to the atmosphere that something is seriously wrong in a very evil way.Another way in which Branagh used dramatic imagery when the ghost appears for the first time in front of the men. The ghost is the image of the King in full battle armour floating towards them with dramatic music in the background. This imagery is clearly something that cannot easily be drawn from Shakespeares text on its own. A similarity between both Shakespeares and Branaghs Hamlet is that Branaghs version stays extremely faithful to the text in the original Hamlet by Shakespeare.For example, just after Horatio sees the ghost of old Hamlet he goes on at great detail about the ghosts appearance as an omen of trouble brewing for Denmark quite a long section of dialogue. However, Branaghs film doesnt cut out a single word and keeps the dialogue identical to the original text by Shakespeare. Zeffirellis Hamlet cuts out the whole of the original ghost scene entirely substituting it with the funeral of old King Hamlet with emphasis on the Kings death rather than the ghost appearing. In this respect it loses a carve up of the atmospheric effect that Branaghs version creates.Hamlet should be portrayed in a dark, evil way to start off the play that Branaghs does successfully. However, with Zeffirellis version there is no way of knowing that an evil deed has been done or that there is any corruption, guilt or hesitancy of any kind. All you note is the negativity of the Kings funeral. Although both films opening scenes are very different in many ways they are both similar in another way. They both start with a negative theme. Branaghs version shows the dead King Hamlets ghost haunting the riotous minds of the guards and this reinfor ces the sense of evil captured that night.Zeffirellis version shows the great castle and all the knights wearing black for the Kings funeral while Hamlets cause hysterically weeps over the still body of the King. Therefore in this way they are very similar. Another big difference is the running time of both films. Branaghs films running time is 232 minutes, which is a long time compared to just 130 minutes of Zeffirellis version of Hamlet. This difference accounts for the occurrence that Zeffirelli cut out a great deal of the original Shakespearean text whereas Branagh included almost all of it in the entire film.