Macbeth / McKellen, Dench (Thames Shakespeare Collection)
by Philip Casson
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ian McKellen, John Bown, Judi Dench, Judith Harte, Susan DuryDirector: Philip Casson
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Published); Spanish (Published)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 146 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-11-16
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E Home Video
Movie Reviews of Macbeth / McKellen, Dench (Thames Shakespeare Collection)
Movie Review: this swelling act of an imperial theme...
Summary: 5 Stars
Two major things going on in the world right now (4/08) are the Bush Administration's mishandling of the Iraq War and the Presidential campaigns. Two major themes that arise while seeing this production of Macbeth are blind ambition and lust for power. By the end of Act I, scene iv, (about a half-hour or so into this film) just after Macbeth eyes the crown as it's being elevated from the King's head, and utters, "Stars hide your fires, let not light see my deep and black desires...", you know what the rest of the play will be about. And, so, there lies two choices for the viewer: endure the rest of the film as a sort of waste of time and `Shakespeare isn't all that great a writer', or, for example under the two aforementioned pretenses, give the movie a chance and see how the story is going to play out...
The power behind this minimalist production combined with the deeply precise action within the poetry of the language is so very well put together.
Looking at the events that happen shortly thereafter in the play, somewhat realizing how he had been bewitched into the temptation to "become King, hereafter", he proceeds to talk himself out of what he just refers to as "this business" (committing murder and treason); then, he gets talked back into reconsidering it and agrees to go ahead with it after all; then, ultimately, has to re-convince himself outside of the King's chamber (in an chilling scene, the famous `dagger' soliloquy). Regarding the last of these scenarios, if he had been able to actually hear himself he would've certainly been reminded how such a person as he would've absolutely not been cut out to overcome the potential obstacles within his conscience, for he was bound by virtue to King, country, and valiance as a soldier, friend, and general (as well as possibly God-fearing, although that's not 100% clear). And, from any potential natural obstacle that can arise uncontrollably from a simple plan, both an instance end up sealing his fate.
Great actors and directors are necessary to pull off Shakespeare. The scene between Macduff and Malcolm's soul-searching/testing the characteristics of a hero versus a villain, is terrific. Judi Dench is just terrifying as Lady Macbeth. The dvd's special features with Ian Mckellen are good. He discusses some of the realities toward which some of the actors' performances and the play relate, the actor's different styles, among other interesting things. And, this film has a better, more thought-provoking ending than the play, as it was written.
...Unless WMDs are mysteriously found, we the people are left to support the troops and innocent Iraqi civilians in the midst of a White House that has had as high a turnover as your local McDonald's--for at least a couple of years there--with still no justifiable reason for our military incursion. And, along the home front, we have a Democrat incomprehensibly going negative against another Democrat whose ambition just isn't nearly quite as personal, as he aims for a progressive leadership.
It would be nice in this or any time when our favorite Shakespeare play could be A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth was an antique. I have sort of what I would call a punk-ethic when it comes to understanding things that are undeniably strong and honest in their depiction toward a greater good. Such things as widely seen and read as Macbeth--"...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"--I would think should be well understood throughout most if not all of our worldwide community, by now.
Summary of Macbeth / McKellen, Dench (Thames Shakespeare Collection)
Two of England's greatest actors, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, electrify in this lean, stripped-down production of Shakespeare's darkest tragedy. In the wake of a battle, the Scottish warrior Macbeth (McKellen, Gods and Monsters, Lord of the Rings) receives a prophecy from a trio of witches: He shall be king. When fate doesn't unfold quickly enough, Macbeth and his even more ambitious wife (Dench, Shakespeare in Love, Iris) decide to give it a push. McKellen sweats anxiously and oozes a creeping lust for power, while Dench is hypnotically vicious from her first moment. For audiences used to their film careers, this grand pair will seem young as pups (this TV movie is from 1979, adapted from an acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company production)--but that only gives them an added edge of sex and vigor. Extras include the older McKellen thoughtfully commenting on the play and this classic production. --Bret FetzerMurder, prophecy, and witches! MACBETH returns, starring Academy Award?-nominee Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Academy Award?-winner Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love), on DVD for the first time anywhere. First broadcast on Britain's Thame
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