Analysis of 'Hamlet' - 1996 Trailer

‘Hamlet’ (1996)

• Drama/tragedy
• Beginning of trailer opens with the production company logo (Columbia) with a drum beat in the background and then cuts to Kate Winslet screaming. The effect of this creates tension and makes the audience want to see the film to find out what happens – they are immediately drawn into the plot.
• There is then a montage of dramatic events – such as someone opening a coffin and someone being threatened with a sword – all of which occurs in the film, all of which flash on screen in time with the drum beat.
• The music then stops and Hamlet says the famous line ‘To be or not to be’, which even if the audience did not know that it was from ‘Hamlet’, most would know that it is a Shakespearian quote.
• There is then a voice over a montage of images in the film – such as soldiers running to war and a formal ball. These two things contrast greatly, possibly to highlight the images being shown to the audience. The first thing that the voice over says ‘Castle Rock entertainment proudly presents Hamlet’ suggesting that this is the selling point of the film.
• There is a ‘star run’ in the trailer showing the different actors in the film, with a voice over saying who they are. This is a way in which the company will gain an audience – by giving the film star quality.
• The title of the film is given at the end of the film in text, although the audience already knows the name of the film from the voice over.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116477/