Out the the three ghost scenes, I would say that Zeffirelli's version was the most effective. the other two scenes were well, but lacked in some areas. For example, in Branagh's version, the ghost was talking in a way where the audience, or atleast myself, could not comprehend what he was saying. Also, the imense amount of flashbacks and loud dramatic music were unnecessary. It was overly exxagerated.
My least favorite out of the bunch was Almereyda's. The way the director tried to modernize the story took away from the oraginality. Also, I did not like the way he tried to modernize the play but yet again tried to use the old language used in the original Hamlet. The two do not match. It's either you change both, or change nothing. It was a total mess.
Zeffirelli's version was good because the actors were clear to hear and it is more realistic to believe than the other two. If I had to direct the ghost scene for myself I would have music that goes along with the scene and take away the medieval theme, but something close to Zeffirelli's. I wouldn't make it over dramatic, but dramatic enough to make it seem interesting.
I completely agree of what Aisya is saying in this post. I believe that Zefrellis version is the best. I do not agree that the flashbacks in Branaghs version were a bad idea. I believe that it was creative. Almereydas version was pretty bad, I did not like how he tried modernizing it. There is just some things you can't do and that is one of them.
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