Hamlet Soliloquy Film Comparison

Directed by and starring Laurence Olivier (1948) What does zooming in on Hamlet’s brain suggest about the “To be” soliloquy? The speech is delivered partly in voiceover and partly aloud. What is the effect of this? How does the setting, on the castle ramparts above the sea, contribute to the film’s interpretation of the soliloquy?

Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh (1996) Hamlet delivers his soliloquy to his reflection in the mirror. What does this suggest about the speech? The mirror is a double mirror, with Claudius and Polonius watching from the other side. What does this suggest? Branagh’s version is the only one of these three to place “To be” where it occurs in the text, in the midst of the “nunnery scene” in which Claudius and Polonius spy on him as he berates Ophelia. What difference does this make?

Directed by Michael Almereyda; starring Ethan Hawke (2000) How does the setting, a Blockbuster store, contribute to the film’s interpretation of the soliloquy? More specifically, how does Hamlet’s placement in the “Action” aisle comment on the speech? Hamlet speaks aloud to himself in a public place. What is the effect of this, especially in contrast to Olivier’s and Branagh’s treatments?

Activator – Select three sentences starters and reflect on our film analysis exercise. I learned… I realized… I noticed… I hope… I was reminded… I felt… I was surprised… It would have been better if… Next time…