Guide to Macbeth on Film

Though it's difficult to quantify, "Macbeth" might be the Shakespeare play most often turned into a film. Here's a guide to major film productions of "Macbeth," both original text and adapted.

Original Text

There are several early and not well-known films of "Macbeth. " The oldest known "Macbeth" film dates back all the way to 1908. It was, of course, a silent film. It was directed by J. Stuart Blackton and starred William V. Ranous and Louise Carver. This film was the first of a slew, as there were eight "Macbeth" films made in the silent film era. Several of them were made in non-English speaking countries, though that hardly matters in silent film. Unfortunately, most of the early "Macbeth" films are lost as no known copies exist. The last silent "Macbeth" was made in 1922 and starred Russell Thorndike and Sybil Thorndike.

The next "Macbeth" was made in 1948 by Orson Welles. In it, Welles gives a very surrealistic approach to the universe of "Macbeth." Famous though Welles was, this "Macbeth" was a critical flop when it was first released, partially because the actors spoke in Scottish accents, and also because of the significant adaptations Welles made to the script. Many critics said that through the accents, the beautiful poetry of "Macbeth" was incomprehensible. The studio reacted by withdrawing and re-dubbing and shortening the film, but the re-release also met with lousy reviews. Fans in non-English speaking countries, however, gave this "Macbeth" good reviews. In the 1980s, the original soundtrack was rediscovered and restored, and fans today consider the film a classic. It is available on DVD in Europe but not the US.

In 1971, Roman Polanski directed a "Macbeth" film starring Jon Finch and Francesca Annis. This "Macbeth" was highly criticized for being extremely bloody, though it's understandable, being it was the first film Polanski made after his pregnant wife's murder. Polanski's "Macbeth" was also criticized for its ending, which I won't ruin here. This "Macbeth" also took several departures from tradition. Though not altering the script, making Macbeth and Lady Macbeth appear relatively young was unheard of in Shakespearian cinema at the time. But as always, Polanski is a master of sound. "Macbeth" uses uncomfortable silences and unexpected noises to create the dark aura of the film's universe. The reviews were mixed. Some critics said the endless violence distracted from the poetry of "Macbeth," while others said the dark vision was compelling. It is available on DVD.

Trevor Nunn, in 1978, directed the "Macbeth" that is often considered the definitive "Macbeth" film. It stars Ian McKellen and Judi Dench. It was adapted from a Royal Shakespeare Company stage production of "Macbeth" that was wildly successful. The stage production was performed at The Other Place, a smaller theater than Shakespeare plays had traditionally been performed in. Performing "Macbeth" in a small space was a revolutionary idea, but being on of the great modern masters of the theater, Trevor Nunn used the small space brilliantly. The filmed "Macbeth" premiered on TV but is now available on DVD. It is known as a minimalist production, using no sets, few props and simplistic costumes, but this allows viewers to focus on the plot of "Macbeth." The acting of McKellen and Dench is beyond brilliant, but Nunn deserves most of the credit for this dark and eerie "Macbeth" that plays with the viewer emotionally and psychologically. It is available on DVD.

The BBC took on a massive project to produce all of Shakespeare's plays, and they did "Macbeth" in 1983. Nicol Williamson and Jane Lapotaire starred as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The production value is low as the BBC did not have a huge budget, but the goal was a "Macbeth" that was loyal to the script. Few text changes have been made. Lapotaire's Lady Macbeth has long been hailed as one of the great Lady Macbeths of the century. Nicol Williamson's performance has received mixed reviews, but for those who want an unadulterated vision of Shakespeare's full script of "Macbeth" focused on the poetry, this is the best option. It is available on DVD, but only in a box set, which includes the BBC's "Julius Caesar," "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello" and "Hamlet."

In 2006, Geoffrey Wright directed a "Macbeth" film that re-imagines "Macbeth" in the Melbourne underground. Sam Worthington and Victoria Hill star as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The script is significantly edited though the poetry is essentially the same. The DVD package advertises this "Macbeth" as "sexy" and "high octane," which holds true. There are multiple gunfights, and the three witches are three attractive schoolgirls who, in the second prophecy seen, have an orgy with Macbeth. Though this "Macbeth" appeals largely to modern desires for blood and sex in film, the acting owes a lot to traditional performances. Worthington's performance was clearly inspired by Jon Finch's. This "Macbeth" successfully and fascinatingly melds tradition and modernism. It is available on DVD.

Adaptations

In 1957, Akira Kurosawa directed "Throne of Blood," a film which translates "Macbeth" to feudal Japan. Kurosawa deeply admired the Japanese tradition of Noh theatre, and its influence can be seen in this film. "Throne of Blood" creates a dark phantasmal universe that is so captivating that many critics have considered it the best "Macbeth" film of all time, including Harold Bloom and members of the Royal Shakespeare Company. It is available on DVD.

The 1991 film "Men of Respect" is a retelling of "Macbeth" as an American mafia story. John Turturro stars as Mike Battaglia, the equivalent of Macbeth. It was directed by William C. Reilly. While Turturro's acting is decent, the overall value of this production is lousy, and hardly deserves to be compared with "Macbeth." For those who are willing to put themselves through it, it is available on DVD.

2002's "Scotland, PA" is a humorous re-imagining of "Macbeth" set in a fast food restaurant in a small American town. James LeGros and Maura Tierney star as Joe and Pat McBeth, but other name actors in the film include Christopher Walken and Andy Dick. The main purpose of this "Macbeth" update is humor, and it gets that across successfully (parts are a laugh riot), though the film is nonetheless at times dark and disturbing as any "Macbeth" will be. Over time, the critical reception for "Scotland, PA" has been nothing but positive, and it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001. It is available on DVD.

"Maqbool" is a 2004 Bollywood film that sets "Macbeth" once again in the criminal underworld. The general public's reaction to "Maqbool" was one of distaste, but the critical reception was positive and one of the actors won a Filmfare Award. "Maqbool" departs significantly from Shakespeare's script, but the cinematography is a work of art. It is available on DVD.