I recently saw Roman Polanski's Macbeth adaptation and loved it a lot for its supernatural and fantastical power and for John Finch's and Francesca Annis's depictions of the main protagonists.
So what do you think of how this version compares to that? Which is better overall? Which has better writing and direction? Which has better cinematography? Which has better music? Who is the better Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
Eclectic Cinephile
Everything about Polanski's version is far superior to this 2015 version.
shareI've seen Polanski's version numerous times and regard it as a classic. I actually walked out of the theater for this one due to boredom and disenchantment. It has some striking--yet poorly edited--cinematography, but it feels divorced from the story and has no emotional resonance.
shareYou must be smoking crack. You felt nothing when the family was burned alive at the stake? I hate it when people lie because they're so obviously biased.
share[deleted]
This version is more natural. I like this one better. One could argue that Shakespeare should be more theatrical. I'm not sure about that. I wanted something fresh and natural. I got what I wanted. My only complaint is that this version underused Lady Macbeth a bit.
It's ok to like more than one actor. :))
This version is NOT more "natural".
Yes, there's a little more blood and grit, but it's presented in a far more operatic way
than Polanski's restrained matter-of-fact direction.
The witches especially are directed like evil spirits, not real people.
Macbeth seems possessed.
The actions by some characters don't make much sense in this film,
while in the play and Polanski's film it does.
This is a very misguided production by people who don't know or value Shakespeare.
It's all flash, no substance.
Polanski's version still rules & in fact gets better with every year.
It's a film for those who already know the story. The director and writer took creative license to do something different.I like it. You don't. It's my opinion.
You can love the Polanski version. I'm not in agreement.
It's ok to like more than one actor. :))
Polanski's version will never be bettered in my opinion. Bar some dubious and dated special effects, it's virtually flawless and I personally struggle to see Macbeth as anyone else other than Jon Finch. He was born to play the role and speak Shakespearean blank verse.
I think Kurtzel/Fassbender's version would more likely appeal to a younger audience but in my opinion much of the deeper meaning is lost in it.
I think Macbeth as a play can only really be fully appreciated with age - when you've had your "tomorrow and tomorrow" moments, and become disillusioned about the innate meaningless of life, whereas a younger person you can fooled into thinking there's a greater meaning at work, much like Macbeth was fooled by the witches. And the monologues such as "my way of life is fallen into the sear..." can only really make sense when you've reached that time of life.
So I'd say to anyone in their twenties who prefers Kurtzel's version, watch them both again in your 40s or 50s and I can almost guarantee you'll prefer the Polanski version.
Totally agree.
The rating for this version is dropping...
Watch Polanski's superior adaptation before voting.