MacBeth
Director: Roman Polanski
with Jon Finch as MacBeth
Shot in 1972, Roman Polanski chooses blood as the major thematic element. I do
not recommend this for children. In fact, I recommend it only to viewers who like
Polanski's work. He made this after his wife was murdered by the Manson family, and
the effect of this personal tragedy crept into this film. Jon Finch is a credible
MacBeth -- this is not a classic interpretation by any stretch of the imagination.
Orson Welles made a MacBeth in 21
days -- and it shows. The sets look horrible, but if you can suspend your disbelief
and get past the shoddiness of the production, Welles gives an interesting
performance. His MacBeth is not weak- willed as MacBeth is sometimes
portrayed. Welles' MacBeth is not merely led around by Lady MacBeth (Jeanette Nolan)
-- this MacBeth has his own ambition to be King. Roddy MacDowall is in this,
too. I find watching Orson Welles a pleasure. It is too bad that he always had
such trouble financing his work -- he deserved better.
The BBC-TV MacBeth is an excellent
film. In this series, the emphasis is on the play -- not fancy film effect.
Nichol Williamson gives a fine performance. Lady MacBeth is a character whose
madness soliloquies can be tedious if not done well . . . hers are superb.
Highly recommended.
Throne of Blood is a Japanese version of MacBeth, written and
directed by Akira Kurosawa, the prolific Japanese
director. I recommend this version to you if you are adventurous and like foreign
films. Instead of the witches, there is an old man who can see the future who lives
in the woods. The scene when the army approaches the at the end is wonderful, and
will remind you of the Orson Welles MacBeth. MacBeth's death is also worth
seeing. I like this movie and highly recommend it. It is in black & white
and was filmed in 1957.
Are you a fan of the Jeremy Brett made for TV Sherlock
Holmes series? It currently shows on the cable station A&E and is available on
video. Well, Jeremy Brett also made a MacBeth!! It features him and Piper
Laurie as Lady MacBeth. This is a recent discovery and I have to find out more about
it but I feel confident recommending anything featuring Jeremy Brett.
Last updated 12/10/98
