Customer Reviews

Macbeth

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It must certainly be a daunting task to adapt a Shakespearean play. In this 1971 production, Roman Polanski chooses to show very explicitly many events that occur off-stage in the theatre, for instance Macbeth's stabbing of the king and in the end his own beheading.

Was the intention simply to be more cinematographic or, given the movie was produced by Playboy, to shock the audience and stir up publicity?

In any case, 40 years later, these elements fall a bit flat as viewers are now regularly exposed to much more violence and nudity. Compared to say `Titus', a more recent adaptation of a work by Shakespeare, this `Macbeth' appears almost mild.

I'm not sure I agree with the statements that this is Polanski's personal adaptation of Macbeth. While the incidents in his life at that time undoubtedly had an affect on his rendering of Macbeth, I contend that Macbeth was always a gloomy story, and perhaps it was the that element of the story that drew Polanski rather than Polanski creating a gloomy story out of Macbeth.

That having been said, this is a fantastic film. It is extremely dark, at times shockingly brutal, but true to the play. The costumes are great, and the dirty, dusty castle setting is accurate for the era. There are very few lines that have been disregarded, and the dialogue does not embellish or add to Shakespeare's classic. Nobody has, before or since, had the gonads to really emphasize the darker elements of Shakespeare while staying true to the play. "Titus" tried, but inserted too much modern-day silliness to be considered a serious endeavour. This is as true to the play as it can get, and doesn't apologize for it. If you can get past the violence and the sometimes cheesy 70s background music, you will love it. In addition, its gloomy atmosphere and violence might actually have the added benefit nowadays of interesting kids in The Bard.

Wow! The liberties Polanski has taken with the Bard's classic have really floored me. This is truly a revelation. Our English teacher showed us this after we had completed our studies on the play, and I wasn't expecting a film half as good as this one. The movie has made waves for it's gore, violence, bleakness ( hey, it's a tragedy!), and Lady Macbeth's nude sleepwalking scene, but it's all done by a man who is totally in tune with what Shakespeare was trying to get accross. Although some scenes/lines have been dropped from this adaptation (such as Lady Macbeth telling Macbeth she would bash her baby's brains out if she had given her word to do so, or the rather humorous relay between Macduff and Malcom), and some things have been slightly altered (such as when Macbeth laments that his wife should bring forth men-children only, is now an Aside), but it all fits together so well that it is barely noticable (although I did slightly miss them). Every scene from the play has been brought to beautiful life. Moments like the exchange between Banquo and Macbeth, while Lady Macbeth is drugging Duncan's gaurds, are highly inventive and imaginative. As well, I have never been so entertained by the porter in any adaptation of Macbeth before! I could go on and on, yet I am limited to only 1000 words in this review, which is not enough by any stretch of the imagination to review this fine film. Do yourself a favour and see this movie, those of you who know Macbeth will fall in love with this vivid re-telling of Shakespeares tragedy, and make new fans out of the un-initiated. Oh, I almost forgot, the last scene is one of the most unexpected and suprizing endings I have ever seen, and further solidifies Polanski's brilliance here. Truly one for the ages. A classic.

This is a terrific cinematic adaption of one of Shakespeare's greatest plays. The film is also known as "The Tragedy of Macbeth", or sometimes "Roman Polanski's Macbeth". Set in early medieval Scotland ( although filmed, I understand, in Wales ), this is a well-known tale of the ruthless ambition of a young noble, Macbeth, who is goaded into acts of evil by his scheming, manipulative wife. Macbeth literally murders his way to the throne of Scotland. Of course, we know what happens to those who "live by the sword" !

British actor, Jon Finch, has the title role, and he expertly peels away the various levels of his character's personality--his Macbeth is no cardboard villain. His performance is more than matched by Francesca Annis as Lady Macbeth, whose twisted mind and blood-soaked hands drive her to madness. Performances by other members of this primarily British cast are all fine, with Martin Shaw particularly effective as Banquo.

The other "star" here, of course, is Polanski. The story of Macbeth, and the times in which it occurred, were brutal, primitive, stark--wars were constant--men settled disputes with swords, daggers, axes and maces--death was not heroic or pretty--women and children could be victims as well. Polanski portrays this environment with as much matter-of-fact authenticity as possible. There are certainly some gory scenes, even by current cinema standards, and the final battle between Macbeth and his sworn enemy Macduff is far from some of the choreographed sword fights in Hollywood movies. The spare landscape and ancient castles add to the atmosphere--for interior scenes, light is used very sparingly, to add to the mood and sense of foreboding.
The scenes with the three witches are creepy and effective.

I do have one question. The credits indicate that the script was written by Polanski and noted drama critic, Kenneth Tynan. Doesn't William Shakespeare deserve a little credit here ? Those soliloquies sound awfully familiar !

The DVD exhibits a decent, occasionally hazy, colour wide-screen picture. I was concerned at first when I noticed a vertical line on the right of the picture, but it disappeared, and the rest of the print seemed fine.

There have been numerous versions of this classic play, and I'm sure there will be more. How long before Kenneth Branagh decides that we need a new version on film ? In the mean time, Polanski's "Macbeth" gives us a totally engrossing, if bleak, cinematic experience.

Unlike other reviewers, I think this version is completely true to Shakespeare's original vision. Polanski certainly put his stamp on this movie. However, not unduly so. It is a dark rendition of a dark play. The nudity may have seemed quite avant garde to North Americans in 1971. However, 37 years later in 2008 it does not seem at all shocking and simply reflects Lady Macbeth's deteriorating mental condition.

An excellent rendition. All in all one of the best movies of any Shakespearean play.

Being a Scotsman, I love Macbeth.
I know that Roman Polanski's film has been considered very violent.
It is - but, life & society was very violent in those days. And has it really changed that
much over the years ?
It is a great film, & worth having in your collection.

If reading the play wasn't enough, this movie kept me asking for more. Roman Polanski brilliantly executed what I had envisioned while reading the script for the play. The dark of the night at Macbeth's, to the special effects which were quite good for their time. I especially enjoyed the scene with the dagger, it was exactly as I had imagined it.

I can't recommend this enough. I teach Shakespeare to 6th and 8th graders, and this movie absolutely engrosses kids of this age. Polanski makes every nuance of the play clear, and the acting is superb. We read a little of the play, work with it, then I show just that part of the DVD. (I have to leave out very few scenes because I teach in a public school, so no nudity allowed.) I wish Polanski would tackle other of Shakespeare's plays.

this movie was done extremely well. john finch did excellent as macbeth. the gore was well used. i was surprised that the movie kept my interest...but it really did

so umm, this movie was.... Interesting, the acting was unique, and the fighting, well thats beond words! the witches were kinda nasty but something that u would expect because of the Play Boy production. i love how the dagger was floating it was amazing, it blew my mind. Thanks For Your Time!