Macbeth Reviews

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.

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.

Great for school study review

My son was studying this in English class so we rented the movie. From what he tells me it stays close to the original play script.. he felt it was an excellent chance to get some insight to the play.

The filming and sets were excellent.

Well worth renting, even if just for school study review.. It is a little 'dark'! But then, so it the play!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Excellent

Firstly i am not impressed with the front cover of this DVD, a pretty desperate attempt to cash in on Martin Shaws continued popularity.

The film itself is a rewarding version of the 'Scottish' play..I enjoyed its stark, umcompromising portayal of medieval Scotland.I thought Finch was excellent as Macbeth, Francesca Annis was a little OTT as his scheming wife.

The other roles were ably filled by RSC actors,Shaw was OK as Banquo and as for Cheggers.....

This is a timeless film due to it being a period piece and well worth renting even if you struggle with the dialogue...subtitles maybe?, theres plenty to enjoy about this film even if you don't know what they're saying. The cinematography,sets and costumes are excellent and deserve high praise indeed.

the scottish play

best version i have seen of mcbeth polanski does an excellent job of directing one of shakespeares finest plays.worth a look.

heavy going but well worth a look

I watched it a few weeks ago and thought it was a bit of a serious film that you would have to be in the right mood to watch. The violence is a bit strong for a 15 film. it is very good qualty for a 1971 film.

Great cinema; bad poetry

Usually read as Polanski's response to the horrific murder of his wife at the hands of 'the Manson family', his 'Macbeth' is a suitably epic, darkly-hued and violent response to the play. The bleak landscapes, sweeping off into the endless distance, the grim deaths (most notably the slaughter of MacDuff's family - heavily reminiscent of the photographs of Tate's house after the murders) and the fascination with the supernatural all bespeak a man deeply ill at ease with himself and the world.

But in amongst the horror, there ought to be some Shakespeare, and the verse is almost entirely lost, largely due to the incompetence of the cast when it comes to speaking it. Jon Finch gradually grows into the role of the Thane of Cawdor, but Francesca Annis is dismal as his wife (the immoral centre of the play), and both of them are far too young for the parts. We can't care about them, because nothing in the film suggests the director does.

Terence Bayler is much better as MacDuff and Martin Shaw gives a hearty reading of Banquo. Television trivia fans ought to know that Keith Chegwin (really) plays Fleance (and is quite good).

Another poster here has noted how closely Polanski sticks to Shakespeare; his one addition is instructive as to his approach, however. At the very end, as a coda, we see Donalbain going to find the witches - the cycle of violence, it is suggested, will go on.

Dark and sinister

I rented trhis for my father who thinks this is the most gritty, probably most accurate representation of what Shakespear wanted to present.

One of the best

One of the best film versions of Shakespeare. Remains true to text (as far as I can remember).

Only the unneeded fight scene, which is, in fairness, pretty short) mars. It’s funny to see Keith Chegwin in his first and last piece of quality and also one of those guys from 70's hit show 'The Professionals'.

The Best Film Adaptation of Macbeth

I have watched quite a few and varied mix of versions of Macbeth, and this certainly has to be the best. The set, props, and costumes are very faithful to the era.

The problem for me was the acting, it really wasn't that brilliant. I know it must be hard conveying shock and greif over someones death when you have 10 lines of very intricate language to get through at the same time, but the acting was still lacking.

The Gore; I personally didn't find it too gory, but more so than other adaptations of it. The fake blood used was the blatantly fake ketchup looking stuff. Which sadly removed a lot of the impact of the scenes.

The language; Yes its very difficult to follow, unless you've recently read the play.

Overall a good film, and by far the best film adaptation of Macbeth.