Version I - Zeffirelli
Hamlet was very angry and distraught, he seemed to be falling off the rocker. Hamlet sees the ghost and chases after it, up the stairs to one of the towers in the castle. He slows and walks around with his sword up as if anticipating an attack. In that moment he looks so crazed and he's talking quickly as there's suspenseful music in the background. But when meeting face to face with the ghost his anger releases, he is in disbelief because its his dead father. In their conversation Hamlet is very attentive to what the ghost has to say. With the state Hamlet is already in emotionally, the information the ghost tells him overwhelms him with emotions he is on the brink of tears and so is the ghost. But the other side of that emotion would be reflected later on by Hamlet. After the ghost leaves Hamlet goes on a rampage. He is so enraged and wishes to seek revenge for his fathers murder right then and there. He start screaming and hitting is sword on things in hopeless attempts at nothing. Majority of the scene was dark and minimalistic but in this case simplicity was best.
Version II - Branagh
The beginning was so fast pace and crazy, I could hardly understand what they were saying. Hamlet runs off and follows the ghost into the forest but as he's running, there's explosions, and the ghost is echoing loudly and is very creepy but seems to be nowhere. Hamlet stops in the middle of the forest surrounded by trees and the thick fog. This part of the scene reminded me of the
Wizard of Oz when they enter the Emerald City and go to meet The Great and Powerful Oz. I didn't really like the special affects for explosions, I thought they were unnecessary. The ghost in this one actually looked like a ghost; he was blue tinted, flushed, creepy and overall drone looking. I liked the use of flashbacks because they helped to better understand the situation the ghost is talking about and his feelings. Hamlet at the end was angry but was more upset, he cried and was just so overcome with emotion. When he promises to get revenge for his father he does become enraged and starts yelling, but that's understandable in context. Overall this version had god and bad aspects but I thought it was overacted so therefore not my favorite.
Version III - Almereyda
This version was a worlds difference because of how modern it was compared to the others, it took place in a high rise in Manhattan. The ghost was in a suit and looked like a guy who worked on wall street. Opposed to the other versions this one was bright, the lights in the room was on and you could see the entirety of the room and the people in it. The ghost foreshadows what he's going to tell Hamlet when he puts the cloth to his ear where the poison was poured. Hamlet and his father's(the ghost's) relationship felt as close as I expected it to be which the other versions didn't capture in my opinion. They were very in each other's faces the whole time and made lots of eye connection. This scene seemed more real and that what the ghost had to say was just for Hamlet, therefore more important and personal as well. When Hamlet starts crying the ghost comforts him by holding him. I noticed as well the ghost whispers what he has to say most of the time making it more sensitive. Right before the ghost leaves they share in a big embrace as if to give their final goodbyes. The portrayal of Hamlet and the ghosts relationship in this one seemed more accurate which makes this version standout to me.
