Theatrical productions have been transformed onto film for decades. Some directors remain faithful to the original manuscript, while others take liberties altering elements of the play to create a new reality of an otherwise classic production. However, the thoughts and strategies utilized behind each director’s decision as to how they will portray the selected works of Shakespeare to a modern-day audience are as unique to the individual director as it is to the production itself. How each chooses to depict the themes of complex family relationships and revenge is accomplished through the: selection of the actors, use or alteration of dialogue, costume selection, props, settings, and even transformation of the time period which can provide
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“Titus Andronicus” and “Hamlet”, are both revenge tragedy stories that revolve around strong families with complicated relationships that contain individuals seeking revenge for wrong doings. Both nontraditional film versions were produced within a couple years of each other; Titus, directed by Julie Taymor in 1999 and Hamlet, directed by Michael Almereyda in 2000. Comparing these films, allows for reflection upon the different adaptations that each director took from their interpretations of William Shakespeare 's dramatic …show more content…
Shakespeare’s use of marriage, death and remarriage as in Hamlet’s case, weaves a web ripe for tragedy to strike. Both “Hamlet” and “Titus Andronicus” reveal complex family relationships between father and son, father and daughter, husband and wife, mother and sons, extended family and between siblings. These relationships are further complicated by their station in life. The characters represented in both films are not simple farmers, instead they are central figures of government such as a member of the royal family or a Roman General in “Titus Andronicus” or the head of a large corporation, C.E.O. as in “Hamlet”. The complexity of their positions tends to mix with ambition which contributes to drastic decision making. This often sets the stage for revenge since their actions show a lack of consideration of any potential
“Titus Andronicus” and “Hamlet”, are both revenge tragedy stories that revolve around strong families with complicated relationships that contain individuals seeking revenge for wrong doings. Both nontraditional film versions were produced within a couple years of each other; Titus, directed by Julie Taymor in 1999 and Hamlet, directed by Michael Almereyda in 2000. Comparing these films, allows for reflection upon the different adaptations that each director took from their interpretations of William Shakespeare 's dramatic …show more content…
Shakespeare’s use of marriage, death and remarriage as in Hamlet’s case, weaves a web ripe for tragedy to strike. Both “Hamlet” and “Titus Andronicus” reveal complex family relationships between father and son, father and daughter, husband and wife, mother and sons, extended family and between siblings. These relationships are further complicated by their station in life. The characters represented in both films are not simple farmers, instead they are central figures of government such as a member of the royal family or a Roman General in “Titus Andronicus” or the head of a large corporation, C.E.O. as in “Hamlet”. The complexity of their positions tends to mix with ambition which contributes to drastic decision making. This often sets the stage for revenge since their actions show a lack of consideration of any potential