After watching the 3
different renditions of the ghost scene in Act 1, there were several
characteristics that stood out from each one. In the Zeffirelli version, there
was a sense of minimalism. Zeffirelli stripped the script down to its bare
essentials, meaning most of the detail was removed leaving the basic content
needed to understand the overall plot. This version was also not
very dramatic, we see 2 main camera angles of Zeffirelli as Hamlet, as well as
the ghost; neither shot has much movement. Zeffirelli included no special
effects, music, or complex scenery. Zeffirelli focused mainly on the characters
emotions; for example, the ghost’s despair, and hamlet’s motivation.
The Almereyda version was my least preferred
rendition of this scene. I didn’t enjoy how the ghost and hamlet were portrayed
in a very casual form. Sam Shepard (Ghost)
is seen outside of Ethan Hawke’s (Hamlet) window, who nonchalantly walks in and
behaves much in the same way a human would. It completely broke the conception
of talking to a ghost. This version follows the script more closely than
Zeffirelli’s and is accompanied by sad music, which did not merge well with the
original tone of this scene.
The last and personally more preferred
version of the ghost scene is Branagh’s rendition. The dialogue was extremely fast paced, which
at first I did not like, however after a few lines it implied a sense of impulsiveness
from hamlet’s character. This version also follows the script more closely than
the others. Branagh heavily infused this rendition with special effects and
video effects, the earth boils and ripples, the area is foggy, the ghost is
ominous and deathly. All of this combined leads to a much more convincing
supernatural event. Branagh also decided to show flashbacks to the king’s
murder, which was a nice touch to aid in the understanding of what Shakespeare’s
language meant. All of these things combined with intense music and strong,
believable dialogue sets this version apart from the rest and makes it the best
in my opinion.