This is the last of my reviews concerning cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare that I saw during my college years. It concerns one of the most notorious film versions of all, Roman Polanski’s & Kenneth Tynan’s adaptation of MACBETH. It was Polanski’s first film after the murder of Sharon Tate and it was heavily criticized at the time for its excessive violence although it’s all right there in the text.
The film was co-financed by Hugh Hefner which led to two very controversial scenes, naked witches and a nude sleepwalking scene for Lady Macbeth. Now that the shock effect has worn off (Julie Taymor’s TITUS is far more explicit), what we are left with is a quality adaptation that really brings out the supernatural elements of the play. Yes, this Macbeth is ambitious, but in this version his choices are the result of dark forces working against him rather than active choices on his part.
Jon Finch and Francesca Annis head a cast of solid but lesser known British supporting players who bring the various characters to life. John Stride’s duplicitous Ross is especially memorable. When I first saw the film I thought the two Macbeths were perfectly cast from a physical point of view but that both were somewhat underwhelming. I still think that today but then this version is all about atmosphere.
It’s Hammer Horror meets Shakespeare and I don’t have a problem with that. Gilbert Taylor’s stunning cinematography (captured on this DVD in the proper aspect ratio) of various locations in Wales, the haunting music by the The Third Ear Band (released as a soundtrack album), and the omnipresent feeling of death and despair make this MACBETH a remarkaable if not especially pleasant experience. Incidentally, I don’t know if Sony knows the difference, but that’s Banquo on the DVD cover not Macbeth.
The Capsule Critic 