Search - Tragedy of Macbeth on DVD

This is horrible

nan15428 | Pittsburgh, PA | 04/13/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I teach this play in High School and was looking for an alternative to the Welles and Polanski versions to help my students understand the play. This is not it. This one is horrible. Badly acted and directed and very difficult to follow. If anyone is looking for a video version of this play that is easy to understand and useful for teachers, there is a pretty new version of the play on DVD available on this site directed by J. Bretton Truett and E.J. Kerwin ( B0000639O1 ) that is outstanding for educators. They perform most of the play and include a great deal of video analysis as well. The performances are very good and they use a modern setting which is very effective. There is also a wonderful feature that lets you get right to the text from the video and back again."

It's a tragedy, all right.

nan15428 | 06/22/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Poor Jeremy Brett must be turning in his grave every time this film is run. This is an unintentionally hilarious version of the play that should scare the high schoolers for whom it was made 'off' the Bard forever...The problem is the director, the acting, and the costumes. The only good thing about this version of MACBETH is the script, which is still Shakespeare's... If you are fond of this actor, do yourself a favor and watch another SHERLOCK HOLMES episode, or MY FAIR LADY, instead."

APPALLING DVD despite great actors

kinseyc | Montreal, Quebec Canada | 04/23/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I love Jeremy Brett and Piper Laurie. Their combined talents offer what few enjoyable moments there are to be found in this Macbeth, but they unfortunately can't salvage this atrocious production. Seeing it is enough to turn someone off Shakespeare. (Should that happen, Al Pacino's delightful LOOKING FOR RICHARD is the perfect antidote to restore passion for the Bard). But I digress. I want to issue a warning to all who might assume the DVD version of this Macbeth would be superior to the VHS. In this instance, tape was simply transferred unto disk with no remastering or enhancements, and there are no extra features. The visual and audio quality is appalling. I regret buying this DVD when I already owned the VHS (..like I said, I love Jeremy Brett...) The only advantage is being able to skip the boring parts to get to the monologues. But that isn't saying much."

Tragic Production of a Great Tragedy

Douglas Alfors | Menomonie, WI United States | 01/03/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, I have to agree with just about everyone else who has reviewed here this film production of "Macbeth." I found the video in my local library and was eagerly anticipating another fine performance by two of my favorite actors: Brett and Piper Laurie, especially Brett. I've seen and thoroughly enjoyed every one of the BBC Sherlock Holmes productions numerous times, and just recently was impressed with Brett's interpretation of Bassanio in the '73 TV production of "The Merchant of Venice." So, imagine my great disappointment when I was amazed by how awful this "Macbeth" really is. I would prefer to not fault the actors, but can only think that the director and producer were responsible. Not to mention the costumer and the "set" designer. I would strongly advise anyone who loves Shakespeare, Brett or Laurie, or all of the above, to avoid a most unpleasant experience."