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Product Description
Television performance of Trevor Nunn's acclaimed RSC production. Following their triumph in battle, warrior generals Macbeth (Ian McKellen) and Banquo are rewarded well by King Duncan. However, a prediction by three crones turns Macbeth's mind to further glory, and encouraged by his ambitious wife (Judy Dench) he secretly murders Duncan while he sleeps. Macbeth now seizes the throne for himself, but his new-found power is soured by guilt over his bloody deeds.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Remastered, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: This 1976 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Macbeth was originally broadcast on Thames Television in 1978. The company's artistic director Trevor Dunn directs the cast on a small bare stage with mostly black costumes and minimal props. After the witches (Susan Dury, Judith Harte, Marie Kean) announce the prophecy that Macbeth (Ian McKellen) will be the next king, the elderly King Duncan (Griffith Jones) proclaims that his son, Malcolm (Roger Rees), will be heir to the throne. Lady Macbeth (Judi Dench) learns about the witches' prophecy in a letter, prompting he to ask the gods to remove her femininity so she can make her weak husband kill the king. When Duncan comes to visit Macbeth's castle, he is murdered in his sleep. Macbeth kills the guards, claiming they were the murderers. In fear of their own lives, Duncan's sons flee the country and Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland. Riddled with guilt, Macbeth goes mad and sees horrible visions while the witches announce the prophecy of his downfall. Also starring John Woodvine as Banquo, Ian McDiarmid as the porter, and Bob Peck as Macduff. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...A Performance of Macbeth (1979) ( A Performance of Macbeth by William Shakespeare ) ( Macbeth )
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
86 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
A TV version of a stage production is normally a recipe for disaster: not so here, however. Ian MacKellen and Judi Dench (not yet Sir and Dame) are riveting as the husband and wife team from hell. McKellen's descent into indifferent, hubristic madness is chilling, and Judi Dench's screech in the sleepwalking scene is - quite simply - unbelievable: if this does not send shudders down your spine, nothing will.
Given the fact that this Macbeth was recorded in 1979, the picture quality leaves a bit to be desired, but any lover of Shakespeare or great acting would be insane not to buy this DVD.
Prepare to be blown away. (And by the way: where is television of this quality today?)
Given the fact that this Macbeth was recorded in 1979, the picture quality leaves a bit to be desired, but any lover of Shakespeare or great acting would be insane not to buy this DVD.
Prepare to be blown away. (And by the way: where is television of this quality today?)
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The use of light & dark is fantastic. It's in colour but looks like black & white.
Comes across as a stage play (which it is!) and avoids the temptation to go for lavish sets, e.g., the battle scenes, just because it's a film.
I saw the original stage play and this is just as good. The best filmed Shakespeare tragedy I've seen. Absolutely superb
Comes across as a stage play (which it is!) and avoids the temptation to go for lavish sets, e.g., the battle scenes, just because it's a film.
I saw the original stage play and this is just as good. The best filmed Shakespeare tragedy I've seen. Absolutely superb
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Cutts
Format:DVD
This is not just another Macbeth. Though faithful to the text and to the poetry of the text, this is used as a springboard to the production's own powerful exploration of what really drove Shakespeare - the issue of good and evil. Neither McKellen nor Dench have quite the right face for their characters (too strong and too warm respectively) but this is unimportant. Their unparalleled intensity of delivery glues the play together from beginning to end, however unpleasant to watch. But the most remarkable achievement is the way the so-called `minor' characters steadily coalesce into a unified force for good that by the end over-rides all else in our attention. The Act IV English scene is extraordinarily strong, `king's cure' and all. The need to produce for TV, usually a noose around the neck of Shakespeare, is mightily used here: no set to speak of, darkness everywhere against which a certain amount of white and occasional flashes of red or gold make their impact, a superb use of camera angles, and music that perfectly matches and supports the tone of the production. And as well as the modern dress there is a curiously modern style of delivery that makes this not Shakespeare's exploration of his theme but our own. Trevor Nunn and his team have out-Shakespeared Shakespeare.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By alexkemp
Format:DVD
I remember watching this RSC production of Macbeth on VHS while studying for my English GCSEs in 1996. Having read the book I was in awe of how Ian McKellen and Judy Dench had brought the play to life. It is now 2006 and I have just finished watching it again on DVD and am still equally impressed. It's an excellent performance that will live in your brain for a lifetime. (p.s. Ian McKellen also delivers a mean Iago in the RSC production of Othello now availiable on DVD).
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Lovborg
Format:DVD
I have never seen a "Macbeth" to touch this - on stage or screen.
This has the darkness, the danger and the madness that so often eludes those who try to bring this piece to life. McKellen and Dench are awe-inspiring, evidencing the intelligence that makes a great Shakespeare actor able to communicate the force and meaning of every word without either condescending or over-emphasising. A joy.
This has the darkness, the danger and the madness that so often eludes those who try to bring this piece to life. McKellen and Dench are awe-inspiring, evidencing the intelligence that makes a great Shakespeare actor able to communicate the force and meaning of every word without either condescending or over-emphasising. A joy.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By K. Thomas
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What can I say? I have always maintained that what we see and derive from reading Shakespeare depends upon what is in us - our own nature, intellect and mood. To see Shakespeare dramatised upon a stage is no different except that there is a more full opportunity for audience participation in its presentation; something that Shakespeare was very good at providing for - although its outcome is always dependent upon the calibre of the director . . .
Macbeth is a deep and profound story in and of itself and finds root in the essence of the struggle between good and evil. We find this same struggle portrayed for us in the Bible by the Apostle Paul in the seventh chapter of his letter to the believers in Rome, (Romans 7). Unlike Paul, however, who reveals the solution to this struggle in Romans chapter eight, there is no redemption in Macbeth . . .
Or is there?
This particular dramatisation is very good indeed (You only need to see who play the prominent roles to raise expectations) and if you do not possess a copy - do buy it. Then, having girded up your loins, find someone to share a good bottle of wine with and settle in for the emotional ride that Macbeth always produces . . .
Macbeth is a deep and profound story in and of itself and finds root in the essence of the struggle between good and evil. We find this same struggle portrayed for us in the Bible by the Apostle Paul in the seventh chapter of his letter to the believers in Rome, (Romans 7). Unlike Paul, however, who reveals the solution to this struggle in Romans chapter eight, there is no redemption in Macbeth . . .
Or is there?
This particular dramatisation is very good indeed (You only need to see who play the prominent roles to raise expectations) and if you do not possess a copy - do buy it. Then, having girded up your loins, find someone to share a good bottle of wine with and settle in for the emotional ride that Macbeth always produces . . .
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Bluebell
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
I watch this production of Macbeth every few years as it is simply the best I've seen, and I've seen quite a few. Before this version I wouldn't have thought Ian McKellan an obvious choice for Macbeth. However, he is utterly superb bringing Shakespeare's words to vivid life. The staging is austere, with clever use of light and darkness. Though largely bare of any props, the sheer strength of the play and the power of the acting all works beautifully. There are many familiar faces in the cast and as an ensemble they create a memorable experience.
Trevor Nunn, the director, has created a number of wonderful versions of Shakespeare plays, notably Othello (1990) [DVD] in which Ian McKellan is a marvelously sinister Iago and Imogen Stubbs (Nunn's wife) a heart-rending Desdemona.
Trevor Nunn, the director, has created a number of wonderful versions of Shakespeare plays, notably Othello (1990) [DVD] in which Ian McKellan is a marvelously sinister Iago and Imogen Stubbs (Nunn's wife) a heart-rending Desdemona.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unforgettable
WONDERFULL. The best work ever seen. Both biggest actors in the world.
It is a lesson of acting. Mc Kellen is a God and Judi Dench a Goodess
It is a lesson of acting. Mc Kellen is a God and Judi Dench a Goodess
Published 13 days ago by Ruben Ballester
2.0 out of 5 stars
Gave up after 45 minutes
Bought this to help son's GCSE learning with high hopes considering the cast list. But we found the sound and visual quality poor and coupled with the Shakespeare language and... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mrs E A
3.0 out of 5 stars
Macbeth
Condition great. As it turned out it wasn't suitable for the children I bought it for. The actors were dressed in modernish clothes and they performed to a dark background not much... Read more
Published 3 months ago by cath
4.0 out of 5 stars
William Shakespears Macbeth (1978)(Dvd)
I bought this for my son as he is studying it for his leaving cert. Excellent quality. he would recommend it.
Published 4 months ago by Paula O'Callaghan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great DVD
Bought this for my Mum who's a huge Ian McKellen and Shakespeare fan and has been for years - she loved it :)
Published 4 months ago by Miss Kerry Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
great.
this item was bought for my neighbours daughter to help her wih her studies for her exams. she was very happy.
Published 5 months ago by april
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD
Oh yes . The quality of the DVD is perfect. Sounds, colour and the image are very clear. It is enjoyable.
Published 5 months ago by Odilian Greene
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD
Will be helpful in supporting our daughter with her GCSE's next year, able to watch it as and when she wants to
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. A. Cull
1.0 out of 5 stars
Now I know why I missed this as a kid
Fast delivery and well packaged, but what a lot of c--p. I fell asleep while watching this. I hope I dont have to teach this in class.
Published 6 months ago by Roger
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Macbeth Ever
Okay - it's a film of a stage production (one I loved so much - and I have seen many, at least 20, sad person that I am - I saw twice) but what performances. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ex-King Zog
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