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Amazon.co.uk Review
Roman Polanski's adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth 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 a 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.co.uk Review
Roman Polanski’s adaptation of Macbeth 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 a 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-th!e-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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
77 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When we think of screen Shakespeare, as in the theatre, we generally refer to the lead role... Brannagh's 'Henry V', or Gibson's 'Hamlet'. Despite the fact that I cannot think of an actor or actress in this production, from the King to the gate-keeper, who does not succeed admirably, yet this will always be Polanski's 'Macbeth'. The style and power of the direction are the dominant impression of this piece.
Brutally medieval in portrayal and attitude, this is a grim telling of a grim tale which captivated me entirely. At once theatrical, stunningly visual and historically believable, Polanski for me has not only done full justice to the language and drama of the work but has presented the rugged, uncertain, internecene way of life of the period so starkly that the devices of the play are seen in a truly medieval light... this production has been described as vicious, brutal, visceral... well, it is, but above all I find it credible. I think, to date, that I cannot identify a better screen production of a Shakespeare work.
If anyone still believes that The Bard does not translate to the modern age, this film should be prescribed!
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Picture this: Circa 1975, A class of 32 bored, inner city school, O level English kids, dragged off to an arts cinema to see a showing of Polanski's Macbeth. We settled down for a boring couple of hours messing about and talking. Five minutes into the film, you could have heard a pin drop. We were hooked.
We went from complete disinterest, to shakespeare fans in one afternoon. I will always be grateful to that young english teacher (whatever her name was?) for igniting a lifelong interest in literature. If our Headmaster/parents had known what we were going to see, I'm sure the trip would never have happened! But the quality of acting was such, that suddenly we all knew and understood olde worlde english, something which carried on through other plays we studied. We were lucky enough to have our study of Romeo & Juliet underpinned with another of Polanski's films- exam results were good that year!
We went from complete disinterest, to shakespeare fans in one afternoon. I will always be grateful to that young english teacher (whatever her name was?) for igniting a lifelong interest in literature. If our Headmaster/parents had known what we were going to see, I'm sure the trip would never have happened! But the quality of acting was such, that suddenly we all knew and understood olde worlde english, something which carried on through other plays we studied. We were lucky enough to have our study of Romeo & Juliet underpinned with another of Polanski's films- exam results were good that year!
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Anyone who considers Shakespeare boring would be well advised to watch this film. It is not for the fainthearted and it may give you nightmares, but it is gripping as it gathers pace towards the final white-knuckle-ride climax. The Olivier-type 'Shakespeak' which the actors use is rather jarring at times but it is well compensated for by the atmosphere created by Polanski and supported by music of the ethereal Third Ear Band. Martin Shaw steals the show with his portrayl of Banquo supported, suprisingly well, by a rather youthful Keith Chegwin playing his son. Cheggers escapes the clutches of Macbeth's murderous assassins unlike his father who returns as a spectre to haunt Macbeth.
As a youth I worked as an extra in this film, one of the many trees forming Birnam Wood approaching Dunsinane Castle. This involved many of us carrying a christmas tree across the moors of North Northumberland many times in adverse weather conditions. Everyone was cold and wet most of the time with interminable hanging around between shoots usually while 'Leo' with his smoke gun kept falling off his motorbike into peat bogs (mist features heavily in this film). Contrary to the sleeve notes, many of the scenes were filmed in the stunning scenery of Northumberland, including Lindisfarne Castle and Bamburgh Castle.
A must for GCSE students in my opinion to fire the enthusiasm for this play, the name of which must not be uttered!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Macbeth DVD
This DVD was ordered for a relative who ia doing at as part of her "A" level course, she is very pleased with it.
Published 24 days ago by Mrs. M. Lamb
Interesting Version
Got this as my son is studying Macbeth for GCSE. This is a good, gripping version of the play - a bit gory in places - certainly brings the story alive!
Published 5 months ago by poppy
Magic service
My son needed a little bit of help with macbeth and I must say this just did what we needed
good DVD.
good DVD.
Published 5 months ago by Ed's View
Polanski's classic "Macbeth"
This DVD of Roman Polanski's 1971 version of "Macbeth" with Jon Finch as Macbeth, Francesca Annis as Lady Macbeth and Martin Shaw as Banquo, gave Polanski an opportunity to be as... Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
Macbeth by Roman Polanski
This is a fascinating DVD. Polanski pulls out all the stops to make this a riveting presentation.
The Scottish Play is always able to be presented in an individual way, as... Read more
The Scottish Play is always able to be presented in an individual way, as... Read more
Published 6 months ago by walter
intense and bloody MacBeth
From the opening scene where the three witches are on a beach and the the mist slowly clears to reveal a battle scene, you know you're in for a classic film. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. Robert Marsland
Partly good, partly hilariously horrendous.
So much could be done with Shakespeare's masterpiece "MacBeth" but this truly should be considered as a parody of it rather than a film version. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Daniel Joyce
Roman Polanski's MacBeth.
There is a touch of genius running through the central core of this film. This is remarkable when one considers the tragic personal life of the Director - Romand Polanski - whose... Read more
Published 12 months ago by ShiDaDao Ph.D
MacBeth DVD - it's showing its age!
This DVD was pretty much as expected, given that it is of a film nearly 40 years old and less than four quid. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Bear7
Amazing film
This film was Extremely close to the book and was easy to follow. A must see if you enjoyed the book. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Sikasso46
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