Personally, I think Zeffirelli's version [the first version] was the most realistic. The costumes, the setting, the language, the characters behavior all worked well with the story to me. The only problem I had with it was the lighting. The ghost scene could've been much better if I was able to see what was actually happening. There was music but at times it was too faint. There weren't any special effects, which I thought was a good thing. Adding special effects would've made it unrealistic and tacky. (Same for flashbacks.) A prop used was a sword. It symbolized the act of killing (soon to be revenge). Overall, Zeffirelli did a great job with his movie.
I did not like the Branagh's version [the second version]. The characters were too dramatic, and the special effects were overwhelming. I did not enjoy anything about the ghost scene except for the flashbacks. The flashbacks were nice and simple. (It made understanding and visualizing the ghost's description of his death much easier.) However, the way the ghost spoke (in a whisper like tone) made it unbearable. I found myself becoming very annoyed rather than entertained. The lighting was very good in the flashbacks, but I think it was unrealistically bright in the woods during the ghost scene. Usually you need a source of light to see in the woods at night yet it was very easy to see in the movie.... I think he could've went without making it so bright. There were a lot of sound effects and [very] audible music which once again made it overwhelming. I don't recall there being any significant props used for this version. In my opinion the director was on the right path but did too much.
Almereyda's version [third version] was not that bad. I only had a problem with the language. The entire movie was modernized except for the language. In my opinion that caused the movie to not be as great as it could've been. Instead of a palace they were in a hotel/apartment. Instead of armor and old clothing, they wore suits and dressed casually. Instead of being a creepy mysterious ghost, it was a human like ghost who not only touched objects but also affectionately caressed Hamlet. Rather than having ancient artifacts and a very clean room there were TV's, polaroid pictures, maps, VCR's, sketches, and a messy desk. Yet the language was practically the same as the older versions. Music occasionally played which made the scene more sad than scary. There were no special effects or flashbacks which I think was a good thing. Adding either of them wouldn't have fit in. It probably would've taken away from the dialogue. (I say that because the tv's graphics got my attention more than anything else did. Whenever the tv was shown I became very distracted.) The ghost held onto a handkerchief throughout most of the scene. He would occasionally damp his ear which symbolized his wounded ear that caused his death. Other than the language, the director did a good job.
