Macbeth

Roman Polanski, UK, 1971, 140 minutes

In August 1969 Polanski's eight and a half months pregnant wife Sharon Tate and three of his friends were senselessly slaughtered in his L. A. home by the Charles Manson "family". Two years later Macbeth, undoubtedly Polanski's most violent and bloody film, was made.

This is a noticeably unromantic adaptation of the "Scottish Play". The psychological deterioration of the title character is very much emphasized and concentrated upon. Great attention is also paid to period detail and this fits in well with the whole realist feel of the picture. The gruesomeness of murder is clear for all to see - no punches are pulled.

Despite sharp direction and great dialogue, Macbeth is not a total artistic success. Unfortunately, the acting of the two leads is particularly uninspired. Jon Finch makes an adequate Macbeth but Francesca Annis is frankly out of her depth as Lady Macbeth. Thankfully, Polanski's exciting treatment of the text saves the day. He makes the whole thing come alive and leaves the viewer with many memorable images.

Review by Stephen Townsend
Taken from EUFS Programme 1992-93