Hamlet: To Be or Not To Be

Hamlet 1948

When watching this scene of Hamlets soliloquy for to be or not to be, I pictured Hamlet more deep in thought and annoyed. Although in the version by Lawrence Olivier, Hamlet seems to be more confused than annoyed. The scene starts out with Hamlet sitting at the top of the castle, with a good view of the ocean. The sky is gloomy which adds a nice effect for the confusion that hamlet feels. Although all of this is great I believe it does not show the importance this scene deserves. When Hamlet pulls out his dagger I feel it should have been noticed. For instance Olivier could have add music in the specific part to add effect. Not only in that part alone but much more throughout the film. The scene does not have enough emotion to it. The lighting of the scene was prefect so you can see every emotion thats flowing through him. I also like the representations of the waves down blow. I felt as thought that was a nice example of what Hamlet was feeling inside.

Hamlet 1990

The 1990 Zeffirelli version of the film, they portrayed the scene as much darker. It starts out as what I guess is the cemetery of the castle. Its dark and doesn't show much lighting. Which is the exact representation of what Hamlet feels. When he say " to die, to sleep" he looks at the corpses around him, to show what his fate might be. As he continues he g
ets angry and realizes the importance of life. Although they did not have the dagger in this version, I feel as though there should have been more music and light and something more to show that he was on the verge of committing suicide.

Hamlet 1996

When you first see the scene of 1996 Branagh version of Hamlet soliloquy,its very light and well decorated. He walks up to mirror as though he were taking to himself. When he walks up to the mirror I feel ad though hes stating in a matter of fact kind of what. He does not seem concerned about the that he may die. The actor seemed to play Hamlet as if he accepts death..I did like the music effect, and how it was used to build up the scene and made you believe something more was coming. Then when he pulls out the dagger and goes to stab his reflection, the music adds sense of fear. Although he had great effects I feel he didn't capture the emotion that hes feeling,

The last version of hamlet directed my Almereyda was the worst. It starts in a Blockbuster, and hes walking down the action movie line. Although the line are not spoken, you can see the grief in his face and the loss of hope. In the background they have The Raven playing. They did have good music which add to the sadness Hamlet felt. As good lighting so you can see the emotions on his face as hes

Hamlet 2000

saying this.

All three are merely interpretations of the directors ideas and what they saw when reading Hamlet.