Act 1 scene 1 of macbeth 1971 2006 and 2010 youtube. Opening up to a very pretty day, duncan approaches on horseback. Nunns 1978 macbeth movie is not cinematic in any way its theatrical, a television version of the royal shakespeare companys stage production but nevertheless a brilliant film. Macbeth has always been one of the most difficult to bring to the screen, the most successful film versions have often been the looser adaptations that take their own spin on the material. Oct 09, 2015 macbeth, starring michael fassbender and marion cotillard, joins kenneth branaghs hamlet and orson welless chimes at midnight in my top 10 films based on the stratford playwrights works.
Jun 01, 20 william reilly, 1991transposed to medieval japan by kurosawa as throne of blood, macbeth retains its tragic grandeur. A film adaptation of william shakespeares tragedy of the same name, it tells the story of the highland lord who becomes king of scotland through treachery and murder. The first apparition is the disembodied head of a warrior who seems to warn macbeth of a bloody revenge at the hands of macduff. Macbeth versions comparison essay 547 words bartleby. Given that there are so many film versions of macbeth available on amazon, id highly recommend starting with one of the other ones that do less violence to the text. The banquet scene in polanskis macbeth is a good illustration of the films generally maximalist approach. Macbeth versions comparison essay there are many differences between interpretations of william shakespeares macbeth. With jason connery, helen baxendale, graham mctavish, kenneth bryans. Similarities between macbeth and the film, a simple plan. Comparing two different film versions of william shakespeare. The play features many interesting scenes, references to the unknown, and several interesting characters.
There are many similarities and differences between the macbeth the play and macbeth the movie. The earliest known production is king john from 1899. The first series of the black adder tv, uk, 1983, written by richard curtis and rowan atkinson, is a parody of shakespeares plays, particularly macbeth, richard iii and henry v. I liked each, in its own way, but i think the later version has the edge. After watching both versions of macbeth, polanskis version seemed more realistic. Those three tragedies revolve around universal themes that can be tailored to fit modern tastes or the milieu of the directors choosing. Ive seen versions of it set in soviet russia, in the back streets of london and even one done with team americaesque marionettes. Shot entirely on a sound stage, and in blackandwhite, welles version is considered one of the best artistic renderings of the play on film. Paraphrase what is going on in the space below before we watch film clips of the same scene from many different productions. Polanski has reenacted the script in a very realistic way, and could afford to do so because of the huge budget he had to work with. Macbeths fruitless crown makes his fear in banquo run deep. Overall, i enjoyed the patrick stewart version better because i enjoy stewart.
Both were filmed in britainin fact, bamburgh castle was a location for both, according to wikipedia. This xrated film of the play features a nude sleepwalking scene by lady macbeth and plenty of onscreen violence. Both the original text and morrissettes film use macbeths follies as a tragic teaching aid, but while. Comparison of three versions of macbeth by clare cameron. Macbeth is simultaneously a grieving father, a warrior, a leader of men yet racked with doubt, a gracious host and a foul murderer and hes utterly convincing as all of these. Oct 08, 2015 macbeth stars michael fassbender, marion cotillard, david thewlis and paddy considine and is directed by justin kurzel. Several artists such as roman polanski and geoffrey wright have produced different versions of macbeth, but they have tried to retain its originality. Adaptations of shakespeares plays and other works have been featured in nearly 500 films andor videos worldwide. The second is a bloodcovered child who comforts macbeth with the news that he cannot be killed by any man of. Comparison even though all three versions portray the same story, they are all dramatically different in how they are filmed.
This essay wall contrast shakespeares original version and a movie version by roman polanski produced in 1970. The play macbeth, by william shakespeare, which we read and the movie, by rupert goolds, which we watch has several diffrences but all put out the same message. In this adaptation of shakespeares tragic tale of the rise and fall of ambitious 12thcentury scottish warrior macbeth, orson welles stars in the title role, with his old radio colleague jeanette. The film was possibly set during the elizabethan era. Has shakespeare ever been better on the big screen. I have the royal shakespeare macbeth with sir ian mckellen that is faithful, but there isnt. The guinness book of records lists 410 featurelength film and tv versions of. Orson welles 1948 film version was for a long time the bestknown adaptation which used shakespeares actual dialogue. Within this play, i will look at the costumes of the actors, the language and the setting of the play. Conclusion act 3 scene 1 in conclusion, the previous slides show the many differences between the two films of macbeth. Macbeth or the tragedy of macbeth is a 1971 historical drama film directed by roman polanski and cowritten by polanski and kenneth tynan. A ruthlessly ambitious scottish lord seizes the throne with the help of his scheming wife and a trio of witches.
Macbeth returns to the weird sisters and boldly demands to be shown a series of apparitions that tell his future. The second is a bloodcovered child who comforts macbeth with the news that he cannot be killed by any. Macbeth 2015 emotional and visually beautiful, this adaptation of one of. Macbeth is one of the exciting plays of shakespeare that deal with tragedies such as murder, violence, and witchcraft. I have decided to look at the modern version of shakespeares macbeth. That makes shakespeare the most filmed playwright of all time. The guinness book of records lists 410 featurelength film and tv versions of william shakespeare s plays, making shakespeare the most filmed author ever in any language. Difference between the movie and play versions of macbeth. In 1998, a film was made from sam raimi based on a book of the same name, called a.
William shakespeare is one of the most adapted writers in history, with an estimated nine hundred films based on his plays. Macbeth, the thane of glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become king of scotland. A ruthlessly ambitious scottish laird seizes the throne with the help of his scheming wife and a trio of witches. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself. This is one aspect which you would think wouldnt change when recreating a movie. The great us novelist john updike credited this film with inspiring his. William reilly, 1991transposed to medieval japan by kurosawa as throne of blood, macbeth retains its tragic grandeur. The director of this film has decided not to go with the normal stereotypical macbeth as in the old style looks like. Which macbeth movie is better, the 1971 or the 2015. The actors sit in a large circle and come forward for their performances. Macbeth michael fassbender, duke of scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become king of scotland. Joe macbeth uk, 1955 is a film noir resetting of the story as a gang war in chicago ken hughes.
The similarities and differences between macbeth the movie. But another dimension of the enduring appeal of the big three hamlet, macbeth and romeo and juliet is the ease with which theyre translated into contemporary contexts. To be honest, i cant actually recommend any of them. The main diffrences in between the play and the movie is the portrayal and functions of the witches, the changes of the setting and some key scenes, and the diffrences of the functions of the main characters and also the minor.
This black and white film features some minor changes to the original play along with significant edits. In this adaptation of shakespeares tragic tale of the rise and fall of ambitious 12thcentury scottish warrior macbeth, orson welles stars in the title. Act 1 scene 1 of macbeth three witches scene from 3 different versions. Polanskis film version of macbeth is a very effective interpretation of the play. Macbeth is the story of a fearless warrior and inspiring leader brought low by ambition and desire. Both the original text and morrissettes film use macbeth s follies as a tragic teaching aid, but while. Every detail that polanski includes is significant but also has an implication behind it. Nov 09, 2011 act 1 scene 1 of macbeth three witches scene from 3 different versions. Comparing two different film versions of william shakespeares macbeth the polanski version of macbeth was very good. To those who watch only the movie will only see what the director wants you to see and you will not be able to indulge in the fascinating writing of. But stewart is extraordinary, and kate fleetwood as. Macbeth, starring michael fassbender and marion cotillard, joins kenneth branaghs hamlet and orson welless chimes at midnight in my top 10 films based on the stratford playwrights works.
Both are set in the middle ages and macbeth is a warrior chieftain bucking for higher rank. Based on the william shakespeare play of the same name, the film follows macbeth fassbender as three witches tell him he will one day become king of scotland. The 10 best modern takes on shakespeare in pictures. In my opinion, i would say macbeth is his mostly widely adapted. Shakespeares play macbeth has been done many times on stage, and many times on the silver screen.
Romans movie gave watchers a sneak peak of a combination of scene 5 and scene 7. In case its been a while since high school english class, or since youve watched previous film adaptations of macbeth by roman polanski or orson welles. Each film was portrayed differently, which made each film more enjoyable to watch. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife lady macbeth marion cotillard, macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.
By referring closely to every detail of polanskis film version of act1 scene 1 we could interpret what this scene is like, but not only that, we can interpret. The 10 best faithful shakespeare adaptations on film. Here are the best, and most noteworthy, versions of macbeth that can help you study and better understand the play macbeth. Differences between the play and movie free essays. List of william shakespeare screen adaptations wikipedia. Jan 16, 2018 i liked each, in its own way, but i think the later version has the edge. Macbeth is a shakespearean tragedy that teaches readers about ambition and greed which resulted in tragedy. The witches change from young to old, and back to young. In 11 thcentury scotland, the great warrior macbeth, thane of glamis, receives a prophecy from three witches that he will be king someday. With jon finch, francesca annis, martin shaw, terence bayler.
Nunns 1978 macbeth movie is not cinematic in any way its theatrical, a television version of the royal shakespeare companys stage production but nevertheless a brilliant film the actors sit in a large circle and come forward for their performances. The main diffrences in between the play and the movie is the portrayal and functions of the witches, the changes of the setting and some key scenes, and the diffrences of the functions of the main characters and. All the mist, the moors, and the autumnal feel add to the atmosphere. Restaged in new york, it becomes a vigorous gangster film. However, film versions of macbeth have a sometimes troubled history. Which macbeth movie is better, the 1971 or the 2015 version. With michael fassbender, marion cotillard, jack madigan, frank madigan. Over the course of the dinner, finchs macbeth sees not one ghost but several. Two recent film versions of hamlet, david melville in 2010 and bruce ramsay in 2011, both cut the play to a running time of under 90 minutes. Welles increased the purpose and presence of the three witches in the movie to play up the conflict between early christianity and pagan beliefs in scotland. Lady macbeth is absolutely the complex and sinister villain youd expect from the role.
A comparison of the differences between shakespeares. A surreal macbeth, starring the young orson welles in the lead role. A thrilling interpretation of the dramatic realities of the times and a reimagining of what. Along with very medieval scenery, emotions correspond with the weather. The guinness book of records lists 410 featurelength film and tv versions of william shakespeare s plays, making shakespeare the most filmed author ever in any language as of july 2018, the internet movie database lists shakespeare as having writing credit on 1,371 films, including those under production but not yet released. Comparison of three versions of macbeth by clare cameron on prezi. The best one or at least, the one that id recommend to a modern audience who wants to see the play is the one that patrick stewart did a few years back. Are these the 10 best shakespeare screen adaptations. Macbeth versions comparison film analysis 1463 words.