Version 1 had the most anticipation and suspense. It was created especially by introducing the ghost as a voice in the darkness. As it got more into the story and the suspense continued building the ghost then became visible. The ghost spoke with a lot of despair, suffering and anger. The camera angles were purposely looking straight onto the characters. When the host or Hamlet spoke, they spoke into the camera, creating the illusion that we were the ones they were talking to. In this version, out of all of them, Hamlet was the most angriest and bothered by the news. This version also was the only one to show the uncle and queen, presently, and not in a clip or flashback. I liked how Zeffirelli did that because it conveyed more of Hamlets disgust for the two and added to the drama.
Version 2 had the most special effects out of all versions. In this one there was a lot of fog and cuts to images of fire, thunder, etc. In introducing the ghost Branagh stayed along the lines of keeping the ghost in darkness like the other directors did, by having only its silhouette show. The scene in which Hamlet first sees the ghost, captures how fixated he was on the apparition. Once the ghost did make its full appearance, it was clearly more ghastly and more edited than both versions. It had contacts, makeup, and a unsettling whisper for a voice. If I was the director I wouldn't have tried so hard with all the effects and makeup, it made it look cheap. Just as the first version did, this one used camera angles to make emphasis on perspectives. The camera points up to the ghost, making it look s though it was towering over Hamlet. This showed how much control and power it held over Hamlet. When speaking to his father, Hamlet is presented minuscule by the angle. During their conversation, the use of flashbacks of Hamlets dad being murdered and of the Uncle with the queen were very prominent as well. Music dictated the mood of the scenes when special effects and acting were not being used, sometimes it was used on top of the two things. Lastly, this version did not capture the anger of Hamlet.
Version 3 setting was very different than the last two. It was modernized with Shakespearean lines. The ghost in this version was not dramatic or ghastly looking. It was hard to tell at first that t was even the ghost at all. I thought it was just another character in a suit. Details were a big art of this version. Hamlets apartment was very dirty and unkempt, possibly symbolizing how he has been feeling and dealing with the death of his father. On the television, there was fire and natural catastrophes playing, possibly symbolizing the state of purgatory the fathers in, and how he is feeling by the betrayal of his brother. There was no climax or scene buildup to the ghost appearing at all. Lastly, the ghost was very touchy and desperate to share its tragedy to its son.
