Macbeth
1971
Shakespeare's immortal play about a Scottish warrior (Jon Finch) whose wife's lust for power transforms him into inhuman monster is given it's rawest, most brutal screen treatment in this version by Roman Polanski (ROSEMARY'S BABY, CHINATOWN). Filmed in suitably bleak locales and imbued with nudity not usually seen in the works .. Read more
| Starring | Jon Finch, Francesca Annis, Martin Shaw |
|---|---|
| Director | Roman Polanski |
| Genres | Drama |
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Macbeth
Shakespeare's immortal play about a Scottish warrior (Jon Finch) whose wife's lust for power transforms him into inhuman monster is given it's rawest, most brutal screen treatment in this version by Roman Polanski (ROSEMARY'S BABY, CHINATOWN). Filmed in suitably bleak locales and imbued with nudity not usually seen in the works of Shakespeare--along with realistically gory murders--this MACBETH is singular and sensational, but is not for the young or faint of heart.
| Starring | Jon Finch, Francesca Annis, Martin Shaw |
|---|---|
| Director | Roman Polanski |
| Studio | COLUMBIA TRI-STAR HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 14 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Subtitles | Arabic |
| Released | DVD: 27 May 2002 Production year: 1971 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A controversial adaptation by Roman Polanski (with Kenneth Tynan advising), this sacrifices some of Shakespeare's bleak poetry in favour of great barbaric imagery. A bloody account of Macbeth (Jon Finch) and his intimidating wife (Francesca Annis) making their way to the top of the medieval heap via murder and treachery, it was Polanski's first film after the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, and has a savagery of mood that seems tinged with paranoia. Lady Macbeth's nude sleepwalking scene resulted in critical flak and was seen as evidence of the malign influence of production company Playboy. It's a film that deserves better than that jibe.
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The opening shot of a yellow, withering moonscape stretching away to infinity - revealed to be a desolate sea-shore... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Gritty but beautiful
Polanski's Macbeth abandons the usual conceits of film adaptations of the Bard's work and goes for a gritty and realistic depiction of medieval Scotland. Jon Finch is capable but a little too civilised as Mac, Francesca Annis is beautiful but average as his scheming wife. The biggest star is the production design and the cinematography, brilliantly capturing the rugged Scottish setting. Unlike some adaptations the film isn't afraid to give the text breathing room, to fully appreciate its dark brilliance. Too many film versions whizz through the plays as if apologising for the 'difficulty' of the language.
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Most recent members' review
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5 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Shakespeare: an enduring fad
Polanski’s MacBeth is a truly cinematic offering that draws new inspiration from Shakespeare’s text.
MacBeth is told by three witches that he is destined to become Thane of Cawdor, and eventually King of Scotland. When the first prediction comes true, he is spurred on by Lady MacBeth to give the latter prediction a helping hand in coming true.
Polanski’s vision immediately draws you into a tragic world of betrayal, love and murder. The opening scenes on a rain-drenched beach quickly set the high emotional tone of the piece. Macbeth, too, is introduced in muddy surroundings, the lush grass seeming to cry intensity at the viewer.
The violence is bloody and blunt, the cycle of murder and execution spins on and the recently bereaved Polanski seems to shout at us: violence begets violence, and destruction is futile. He makes full use of cinematic space, cutting from room to room, angle to angle, so that each scene is experienced from a range of perspectives. This is particularly effective in raising suspense during scenes of war and murder. Viewers needn’t worry about not understanding the Shakespearian language: the pictures tell all.
The film’s chief downfall is that it is difficult to become emotionally involved with characters that murder and betray for little more than a title. The film is not satisfying in the conventional way: rather it is a cinematic spectacle; emotionally stimulating but not fulfilling. It is a landmark in filmic adaptation and a vital piece of the Roman Polanski puzzle. -
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