MACBETH

Directed by Roman Polanski. “Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Grim, brutal, leaving little to the imagination, Polanski’s stark film captures perfectly the mood and madness of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Marked by vivid closeups, crisp dialogue, special effects, background music when appropriate, and superb editing, every scene crackles with tension, emotion, and the timelessness of characters lashed by ambition and evil forces. Not for the squeamish, this 1971 version was shot on location in the rugged Welsh countryside and stars Jon Finch as Macbeth and a young Francesca Annis as his lady. Note: rated R. Color. Advanced students. 139 minutes. RCA/Columbia.

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