Branagh Hamlet Comparative Analysis

Hamlet is arguably one of William Shakespeare's best literature pieces and almost 500 years later it's still being read and used everywhere around the world. Hamlet has been critically analyzed by prominent figures in literature and this dynamic play has taken on a larger role providing both dramatic and philosophical inspiration in our current society. Hamlet is still universally admitted as a great play and has provided motivation for remakes throughout the different eras since it first debuted. In 1996, Kenneth Branagh delivered his interpretation of Hamlet in his stunning 4-hour film that was raved about endlessly. Thirteen years later Gregory Doran followed suit with his modern day interpretation of Hamlet. Both films were outstanding
In this particular scene, Branagh decided to use the cinematic technique of flash present. This is where the film cuts back and forth between two scenes that are happening simultaneously. Branagh decided to show the attack on the castle by Fortinbras and the events happening inside the castle at the same time. In the original text sounds of an attack was heard inside in the castle and were even acknowledged by Hamlet as he was dying when he comments “What warlike noise is this?” (5.2.343). Branagh's decision to use the flash-present to illustrate Fortinbras’ attack on the castle was strategic to satisfy his target audience. By using this technique he was able to adhere to the original text while still having artistic control. This would appease to his old-school Shakespearean fans who respond better to the original play rather than unconventional adaptations. Doran decided to completely cut out the scene of Fortinbras overtaking the castle, by doing so it made the movie shorter which would make it more bearable for his restless younger audience to sit
Branagh's film clocked in at about 4 hours due to his choice of using all of Shakespeare's original dialogue while Doran chose to cut out lines and scene he considered not important as well as add dialogue which were not in the original text. The directors choice of the dialogues they used was based on their target audience. Hamlet used all of Shakespeare's original text to appeal to the devoted Shakespeare fans while Stewart is trying to appeal to a younger audience so cutting out dialogue made the play shorter which allows the restless audience members to sit through all of