Hamlet And Hamlet Comparison

This essay discusses two productions of Hamlet Act 1 Scene 4-5 from the ghost’s entry to Hamlet’s reaction: the 2009 version directed by Gregory Doran starring David Tennant and the 1990 version by Glenn Close starring Mel Gibson. The 2009 version scene has a contemporary feel with its use of modern dressing and settings. The 1990 version stays more traditional in its style, but lefts out many (more) lines of words and rather focuses on conveying the emotions of the characters. The two main characters, ghost and Hamlet, take on very different personalities and behaviors between the two productions. Tennant’s Hamlet is emotional and determined in his mind, while Gibson’s is more of a warrior, passionate and ready to act. One ghost commanding,
He isn’t as dramatic as Tennant’s Hamlet, but displays genuine emotions nevertheless. Then mid-speech he rushes down the stairs to a platform. It’s great that in this version Hamlet and the audience see Claudius and Gertrude directly from above. The view triggers and accompanies Hamlet’s reactions: He curses at them with anger and disgust on his face, which is in contrast to the smile on Tennant’s. He also carves and strikes at the stones with his sword, as opposed to “carving” his own hand. He is furious and about to kill Claudius with his sword like what he does to the stones. Gibson’s interpretation of Hamlet is quite different from Tennant’s and perhaps also the general consensus: his is more of a soldier, direct and ready to act. The two Hamlet films pose very different renditions of the scene. In general, I’ve found the simple, natural, yet convincing acting and the unique interpretations in the 1990 version rather refreshing, but the modern, science-fiction like atmosphere and the psychological intensity of the 2009 version are also fascinating and well made. If one may say that the 2009 version shines in its style, then the 1990 version certainly captivates in its