Wordiezett So much average

CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

jacobjohntaylor1 I have seen some great version of Macbeth. The from 1948 with Orson Welles is a great movie. This has a actors standing in a black back round describing what they have done. This is very boring way to do. It has good actor and a good story. But they did it in a way so that is seems boring. See Thorn of Blood that is a Japanese version of Macbeth. Do not waste time. And do not waste money. Do not see this boring movie. Macbeth from 1971 with Jon Finch is a great movie. See that movie do not bother with this boring remake. The 2006 version of Macbeth Sam Worthington is great. But this is just boring. I need more lines and I am running out of things to say.

David Wampach I am an English/Drama teacher, I just showed this to my seniors. I admit there are few good versions of Macbeth on film. However, this made my skin crawl. After spending five weeks in class reading the play, my students actually enjoyed it and understood it. With Ian McKellan and Judi Dench, I was certain this would be top quality, but sadly I was wrong. The costumes were nonsensical. The actors moved between hideous over-acting and don't-care-just-pay-me-already-under-acting. I almost wondered if they were on some form of hallucinogenic drug while performing. I have never been more disappointed by something I thought spark further interest for the students. As someone who has directed Shakespeare, I understand the limited use of props and background, however the whole thing looks a bad early MTV music video. I expected Gary Neumann to come out and sing "Cars." Say what you want about the bizarre Roman Polanski version, at least that one is inspired by some form of creativity.

klfbooks This TV version of Macbeth is absolutely fabulous. I was skeptical at first - thought the play couldn't be done well to a camera, but I was dead wrong. Review the story (you can google it online) before watching, to make sure you have all the characters straight, and then you'll be ready to sit back (or I should say SIT UP!) and enjoy this chilling story of what happens when ambition becomes lust. The witch scenes are as creepy as I've ever seen them done, almost Satanic. The "Out out, damned spot" scene is frightening, pitiful, spooky...Judy Dench is the BEST!! And the most outstanding scene of all is the dining scene, when Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost - I've never seen it done this way, and it was awesome, disturbing, scary, and satisfying. Gotta love the Scottish play!!Added bonus, if you get the DVD, is a long interview with Ian McKellen - a Shakespeare education in a nutshell from one of the great British actors of our time. That alone is worth the price. This would be great in a classroom.

sharifg-1 The performance by Ian McKellen proves that he is one of the best Shakesperean actors ever (and I've seen all the famous ones on the stage). Macbeth is not a complex character, just a fine man sucked into a downward spiral by his ambitious wife, but Shakespeare gives him really magnificent poetry to speak (Tomorrow, etc.), and McKellen says it all breathtakingly. Actually, some of Macbeth's lines are very difficult to understand, and McKellen is capable of the ultimate actor's magic of making the lines seem quite understandable as he speaks them (they go back to being difficult when you contemplate them on the page). His representation of the descent into madness is extremely effective, even though he goes quite far in this. Exactly how psychotic Macbeth becomes is one important question in interpreting this character, and McKellen (and Trevor Nunn, who directed) decide to go all the way. The other actors are all adequate, no problem. Judi Dench is not entirely convincing as the evil-from-the-outset Lady Macbeth, really a caricature and not a fully developed person in the play (Shakespeare's fault, not Judi's). Dame Judi is just not an evil person, and can't make us believe she is. However, at the most crucial point, the sleepwalking scene in the last act which precedes her suicide, she rises to the occasion. Her wail in unforgettable. This was originally a stage production, done in the round with few props, fine for this play, which is about words (and faces), not about setting. It's great that someone had the idea of filming the stage production, and doing it so well that it's possible to watch it. For many years this tape has only been available to educational institutions for $250, so it's great that everyone can see such a stunning performance now. And its great that Ian McKellen has become better known through X-Men and Lord of the Rings (though it takes Shakespeare to display his true talents).