Hamlet Zeffirelli vs Branagh
Both Kenneth Branagh and Franco Zeffirelli’s interpretations of Shakespear’s Hamlet are wonderful films. ... Branagh’s version uses all of the text from the original script and is completely unabridged whilst Zeffirelli’s version relies more on shorter, visual scenes. Zeffirelli’s Hamlet includes a scene on the boat which is to take Hamlet to England which depicts Hamlet altering his death- warrant. ... In the Branagh version Hamlet tells Horatio about his actions. Zefferelli’s version shows Ophelia drown while Gertrude is explaining her death to her brother Laertes unlike in Branagh’s film which explains her death through the dialogue. ... The medieval setting of the Zeffereli film is more true to the original setting of the play than the Victorian setting used by Branagh. Both films have exquisite scenery and costume however the attempt to use painted backdrops during some scenes in Branagh’s film, to create an epic feel to the movie, fall flat.