Macbeth (1971)

[Scottie]

Macbeth Blu-ray

Roman Polanski imbues his unflinchingly violent adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy of ruthless ambition and murder in medieval Scotland with grit and dramatic intensity. Jon Finch and Francesca Annis are charged with fury and sex appeal as a decorated warrior rising in the ranks and his driven wife, scheming together to take the throne by any means. Coadapted by Polanski and the great theater critic and dramaturge Kenneth Tynan, and shot against a series of stunning, stark British Isle landscapes, this version of Macbeth is among the most atmospheric and authentic of all Shakespeare films.

Disc Features
DIRECTOR-APPROVED EDITION:

New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray
New documentary about the making of the film, featuring interviews with director Roman Polanski, producer Andrew Braunsberg, assistant executive producer Victor Lownes, and stars Francesca Annis and Martin Shaw
Polanski Meets Macbeth, a 1971 documentary by Frank Simon featuring rare footage of the film’s cast and crew at work
Theatrical trailers
More!
PLUS: An essay by critic Terrence Rafferty

New cover by Sarah Habibi

http://www.criterion.com/films/28020-macbeth

[James Luckard]

I knew it! I totally called this back in March! The TESS BD had a 1979 South Bank Show episode from the time Polanski was promoting the film. It included clips from a number of films of his or that were influences on him: Tess, Knife in the Water, Cul de Sac, Olivier's Hamlet, his Macbeth.

However when it got to Chinatown, the clip that was included in the episode had been crudely edited out and replaced with a modern shot of a production still from the scene - there was a jump and then they referred to the clip we didn't see. This clearly meant Criterion didn't have the rights to include that clip. However it meant they DID have the rights to include the clips of Macbeth, along with the other four films, which are already in their catalog

And as a September release that means it will be once they start issuing them in normal plastic cases again! One less film to get a replacement case for down the road

Great news!!!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I knew it! I totally called this! They had an old 70s documentary on the TESS BD that had clips from most of Polanski's films up to that point, including MACBETH, but the clips from CHINATOWN had been removed, replaced with scans of still photos. I knew this meant they did not have the rights to CHINATOWN, which meant they DID have the rights to MACBETH.

And as a September release that means it will be once they start issuing them in normal plastic cases again! One less film to get a replacement case for down the road

Great news!!!

It was in their 2014 New Year's Drawing too

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It was in their 2014 New Year's Drawing too

True. But some people still tried to argue for other titles, even though it was fairly obvious. The clip in the doc made it 100% certain.

[RandyK]

Macbeth is my favorite Shakespeare and I like Polanski so it's a no brainer that I'll be picking this up.

[Makarov]

I would probably add this to my small criterion collection. Seeing this in high school actually made me interested in Shakespeare and Macbeth is still my favorite. Probably one the few things I actually do remember from my high school english classes. And that fight scene at the end was so good.

[Lantz]

Can't wait for this! Love Polanski's dark take on my favourite Shakespeare play, and I truly dig Jon Finch!

[ijustblumyself]

Speaking of great Shakespeare films, has anyone see the 1995 version of Othello? Way better than I was expecting it to be, Branagh is brilliant.

[lolwut]

Originally Posted by ijustblumyself

Speaking of great Shakespeare films, has anyone see the 1995 version of Othello? Way better than I was expecting it to be, Branagh is brilliant.

Yes, I've been waiting for that one for years!

[grovel]

According to Daniel Bird, "Polanski also filmed an all-singing and dancing naked hag “Happy Birthday to Hugh” birthday card for Hefner" with his cast of naked witches.

Now wouldn't that be a great asset for "More!"

[minister_x]

Looks like the extras have been clarified over on Criterion’s site:

• Toil and Trouble: Making “Macbeth,” a new documentary featuring interviews with Polanski, producer Andrew Braunsberg, assistant executive producer Victor Lownes, and actors Francesca Annis and Martin Shaw
• Polanski Meets Macbeth, a 1971 documentary by Frank Simon featuring rare footage of the film’s cast and crew at work (~20mins)
• Interview with coscreenwriter Kenneth Tynan from a 1971 episode of The Dick Cavett Show
• “Two Macbeths,” a segment from a 1972 episode of the British television series Aquarius featuring Polanski and theater director Peter Coe
• Trailers

[Paul.R.S]

Bumped by a Macbeth spree inspired by Denzel and Frances.

Did the Welles recently (interesting to hear Roman lightly criticize that picture) and will do the Kurzel next (ironically/serendipitously, I just watched his The True History Of Ned Kelly . . . I noted throughout the remarkable cinematog only to get to the end and learn it was shot by . . . Ari Wegner; even more impressive than Power IMO).

Really enjoyed this. I sometimes have issues with Shakespearean language and found it helped me to have subs going.

Speaking of Mel, not surprised to Google around and find that he watched/was inspired by this in prep for Braveheart.

Wonderful combination of period and then-new supplements.

[MovieBuff647]

Anyone watch the Spain Sony Blu-Ray from 2019? Curious how it compares to the Criterion.