Comparing Two Different Film Versions of William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Comparing Two Different Film Versions of William Shakespeare's Macbeth

The Polanski version of Macbeth was very good. Polanski has re-enacted

the script in a very realistic way, and could afford to do so because

of the huge budget he had to work with.

The film was possibly set during the Elizabethan era. Because of the

huge budget, Polanski could afford to make everything perfect in his

film to resemble what life was really like at that time under the rein

of Queen Victoria. He could have the castle, the clothes and all the

props to make a really good interpretation of what life was like at

time in history.

For a start Polanski introduced a younger Lady Macbeth, Macbeth and

other cast members also changed. Polanski introduced his own style and

it worked well. He preferred to use the younger Macbeth and Lady

Macbeth rather then the middle aged, which was usually portrayed in

other scripts. But this move to a younger cast was a good one. Jon

Finch (Macbeth) is properly ambitious and brutish as the traitorous

lord. And Francesca Annis is a lovely Lady Macbeth.

The film is quite gruesome and brutal in some parts. It is a film with

the violence a strong point in it. It is full of kinetic disturbing

images of death and dying, decapitations and brutal swordplay abound.

But is still works well with Shakespeare's original script, which is

also thrilling and violent. It gives a more realistic feel to the film

with its gory and bloody detail.

The colour is lavish, and is used very well, in the large dining hall

and the use of the many guests and servants rich costumes. There is a

lot of detail with the props ad the costumes. The props are very

effective and pragmatic and also plentiful because of the huge budget

that was used. The castle, the courtyard and the furniture and other

authentic props all create a mood and atmosphere, which help build up

the realistic feeling.

There is also a good use of music, which sets the atmosphere.