Macbeth (1971)

Roman Polanski's adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy remains one of the most infamous for a number of reasons: the copious amounts of bloody gore, its expert use of location settings (filmed in North Wales), and Lady Macbeth's nude sleepwalking scene. Despite its notoriety, though, this does remain one of the more compelling film adaptations of the Scottish tragedy, if one of the more pessimistic takes on the story of Macbeth and his overreaching ambition. If you think the play is normally a bit of a downer, you haven't seen Polanski's bleak version of it, made in reaction to the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by the Manson "family." Jon Finch (Hitchcock's Frenzy) is an forceful Macbeth, bringing out the Scot's warrior instincts, and Francesca Annis is a memorable Lady Macbeth, but the main thrust of the film belongs to Polanski's and noted British playwright and critic Kenneth Tynan's take on the play: extremely violent, nihilistic, and visceral; this is down-in-the-dirt, no-holds-barred Shakespeare, not fussy costume drama. Pay close attention to the end, a silent coda that puts a chilling twist on all the action that has come beforehand and foreshadows more tragedy to come. --Mark Englehart Amazon.com essential video

 Horrible disappointment!
I purchased this with the intention of showing it to my senior English class,but when I previewed it, I decided that I would NEVER put my students through the torture of watching this ridiculous version of Shakespeare's Macbeth. From the beginning it was boring, but I thought I would give it a chance. About the time I got to the part where Macbeth goes a second time to see the witches and they were old, saggy and naked - I was done! What a waste of money! May 7, 2008

 Loved it...
As an English teacher, this a great version to complement the reading of the play. However, you must exercise caution as there is lots of blood and gore with this version. There is also a nude scene that is generally unappropriate for school viewing (I cover the lens of my projector so that the students just hear the dialogue of Lady Macbeth). If you are able to handle the extra, this a great addition. March 10, 2008

 Macbeth DVD Review
This is an excellent interpretation of Shakespeare's play. The producer managed to liven-up the action and the play appeared much more lifelike. It is an excellent version to show to your students in any English Literature class. The ending, where Macbeth was beheaded and his head stuck upon the stake on the castle walls, was graphic and for the first time, the boys in the class watched a Shakespearean play to the end. The action scenes were fast paced and interesting and the witches were well made up. I like the fact that Macbeth and his wife were depicted as young ambitionus characters because it appeared much more relevant in their pursuit of power. It is an excellent depiction of the play and I would recommend it to any Literature teacher. February 15, 2008

 Gain by Fraud
King Duncan, king of Scottland learns from a sergant that Macbeth and Banquo have defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland. King Duncan sends the messager to congradulate Macbeth. Macbeth is called the Thane of Glamis, an anglo saxon, a military champion; Macbeth was not the rank of a noble; and when three weird sisters tell Macbeth, he will become king the insatible evil desire for power overcomes him and yields to the temptation to gain power by fraud; Macbeth believes in fate and self justification in a plot devised by his wife to kill King Duncan. The weird sisters tell Banquo that his descendants will become a lineage of Kings. Supposely King James I was a descendant of Banquo.

Macbeth writes Lady Macbeth concerning the three weird sisters prophecy. Lady Macbeth is in ecstasy that her husband will become king. Lady Macbeth personifies the harlot willing to trade out virtue for sexual compromise to achieve gain. Lady Macbeth charms, provokes, and masterfully convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan and on the sound of the bell at midnight Macbeth uses two daggers to kill a drunken Duncan. MacDuff arrives and wishes to see King Duncan, only to discover the king has been slain. Macbeth kills two servants having placed the daggers on their bodies. MacDuff is suspious of Macbeth, but leaves for England. Macbeth become the King of Scottland. Macbeth kills McDuffs family. Macbeth consoles the three weird sisters and then has servants kill Banquo; Fleance his son escapes. Malcom, MacDuff, and Fleance form an army and attack Macbeth's castle. Lady Macbeth commits suicide driven to madness, haunted by the violence of her part in the murders. Macbeth is severely weak but manages to fight admirably. Macbeth believes he can not be killed by men born of women and in a moment of exhaustion expose himself to a deadly blow from MacDuff; feigning weakeness, Macbeth strikes back at MacDuff and as he moves in for the kill, MacDuff spears Macbeth in the midsection; MacDuff reveals that he was born early taken by C-section. Malcom is elevated to rank of King.

Conclusions: Europeans did not like the historical role the anglo saxons played in gaining power over the French. Macbeth becomes the personification of the anglo saxon: barbaric, strange Gods, blood thirsty, the warrior that pillages, rapes, and plunders the innocent. Macbeth is villianized as the evil monster that must be killed. Macbeth's death represents the liberation from Anglo Saxon influence.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's visions of the dead and blood represent a parable of unquenchable thirst. They both seek to drink from the water but as they lean down the water decreases in height; their tonques burn with thirst. Gain taken by fraud never quenches the immortal soul. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth never enjoyed their power and money; even when surrounded with friends the visions of their crimes tormented them; what good is power and money, if you can't enjoy it?

February 5, 2008

 Great
Macbeth Excellent version! Well received by students! I highly recommend it to supplement the reading of the play. January 14, 2008

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