Hamlet Movie Comparison

Movie 1 - Laurence Olivier
mother has power over Hamlet
Hamlet is depressed
Claudius is mocking Hamlet's depression, scolds and embarrasses Hamlet, being arrogant
Claudius is talking off of the screen to the audience, roaming around to the court - no eye contact with his son
Hamlet does not look at Claudius, mother touching his shoulders
Claudius is playing to the whole audience
Next scene (Wittenburg) - rapid pace and talking to Hamlet in a very demanding tone; Hamlet is lower than Claudius, mother looking towards Hamlet.
Mother flirtatious with Hamlet, kisses him
Claudius drags the queen away when they leave
Queen is more Hamlet's mother than Claudius' wife

Movie 2 - BBC Derek Jacobi
King and Queen are seated, Hamlet is turning his back to them
King and Queen form a united front, much different vision
Queen is more Claudius' husband than Hamlet's mother
Hamlet is more confident and stands up for himself
Mother is much more aggressive, so is Hamlet
Anger in Hamlet's face, protects himself
Turns away when they start talking to him - mocks and laughs at them
Claudius is not putting on a show, not attacking Hamlet as much (Hamlet is more attacking him)
TRIANGLE - Hamlet, Gertrude, Claudius - > Hamlet sitting down, parents standing
Gertrude hanging on Claudius drives Hamlet crazy
Very sarcastic reply by Hamlet to his mom; father pretending it was not

Movie 3 - Mel Gibson
No court here
Hamlet is not as confident as in movie 2
Much more casual conversation, family meeting not a public performance
Trying to fool Hamlet
Mother-Son Scene - tenderness between mother and son
Mother hanging on to Hamlet like a young girl

Movie 4 - Kenneth Branagh
Light violin - create a somber tone
Claudius lowered himself to Hamlet
Mom and dad pleading to Hamlet
Claudius sounds very reasonable when he is speaking
Huge public space
Private conversation in front of many people
Red - evil, white - pure, innocent. Black - somber
When Claudius and Gertrude are together, Hamlet is upset and looks down
Gertrude went from holding Hamlet's hand to Claudius' hand
Claudius is 2-faced between private and public conversations