Macbeth
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Movie Reviews of Macbeth
Movie Review: A work of collaborative genius; but the darkest of adaptations
Summary: 5 Stars
With the advent of DVDs, I've made it a minor hobby to compare various versions of Shakespeare's plays - especially Othello, Lear and Hamlet. I did not see Polanski's Macbeth until recently but have been aware of it for decades.
In my view this is the single most powerful film adaptation of any Shakespeare play. Though much too intense for children or even most teens, Polanski's artful direction captures the insanity, mysticism, jealousy, hate, and horror of the playwright's most brutal work perfectly. The settings are gloomy but realistic and the acting is uniformly excellent.
If Polanski never made another film, he would still be remembered for vividly capturing the complex intensity of this play. Even jaded modern audiences are emotionally exhausted at the film's end- which is not easy to do in this age of ubiquitous violence and sex.
This is no holds barred Shakespeare; definitely not for the faint of heart.
Movie Review: Shakespeare a-la Polanski
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been waiting for this DVD release for a while. This is one of the best Shakespeare adaptations I have seen to date, even though it certainly is not suitable for all audiences. The gloomy, down-to-earth, in-the-mud brutal reality of Medieval Scotland permeates the entire movie. Yet despite that, or perhaps owing to this very fact, the movie perfectly captures Macbeth and his wife's descent into madness and death. After watching the movie you might feel like you need to take a shower, yet you will feel you have witnessed a powerful presentation. It will also give you a bit of an insight into Polanski's personal tragedy, from which I think he never really recovered (look at his subsequent movies).Coming back to Shakespeare, though Macbeth is a dark tragedy, the Bard did add one 'comic relief' gatekeeper scene into the play, to cheer up the audience amid all this brutality and madness - pay attention to Polanski's version of this scene.
Movie Review: One of the best Shakespeare adaptations ever...
Summary: 5 Stars
I use to loath Shakespeare until I saw this film. In fact, I consider this film my favorite of Polanski's work. It is very dark, extremely violent, bloody, and memorable. I cannot think of another Polanski film that I remember as vividly, and Polanski has made many great, great films.
Many remark on the violence in the film by saying it's over the top, but it isn't really. It's a pretty gruesome but realistic depiction of warfare and the machinations of kings and politicos. I find the film visually awesome, musically fine (a band called The Third Ear Band provide the music), the performances are excellent, and the overall attitude of the film is provocative without resorting to cheap shock value. Seeing this film in a widescreen DVD (Polanski's framing is wonderful) is really heartening. This is one of the finest adaptations of Shakespeare ever, and it's a shame that Polanski hasn't made anymore since.
Movie Review: The definitive Macbeth
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an outstanding production starring Jon Finch as the murderous Macbeth, a young Francesca Annis as his coldly ambitious wife, and Martin Shaw as Banquo, Macbeth's loyal friend. When this movie was released there was a fair amount of controversy due to what was seen as excessive violence and nudity. However the violence and nudity is not gratuitous and does add to the mood of this darkest of plays. The cinematography is atmospheric and portrays a brooding menace that perfectly fits the story about a man determined to be King and who will not stop at murder to gain the crown.
Although the play is not filmed in its entirety, some scenes are missing, only the purists will complain. There is still enough of the play for anyone who likes Shakespeare and it is a great introduction to 'The Scottish Play' for anyone who hasn't read it. Roman Polanski's Macbeth is bloody and violent, but then so is the Bards play.
Movie Review: Colossal adaptation !
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first issue in what we should call the second age of Polanski . In this case his deep inspiration carried him to play this powerful work of William Shakespeare. Many people consider ths film too violent and bloody , but we are talking about Macbeth , and precisely this violence is part of the story. The visual language needs it, to express the raise and the decay of Macbeth. The greed and ambition feed his soul and will carry him to commit the required murders to reach his goals. This is a machivelian statement .
The art direction is eloquent . The cast is first rate , the atmosphere is by far convincing .
Polansnki developed one of the most fortunate versions in the screen , but keep in mind the previous releases of Welles and Kurosawa (Throne of blood) , however , this movie is fundamental in your collection.
The hands are filled of blood!