Your post is not exactly a question, thus I feel the best way to reply
to it is to post comments by others on the works.
"Polanski-with memories of European concentration camps and the murder
of his wife, Sharon Tate, by Manson and his "family" - emphasizes
bloodshed more than Shakespeare does: for example, the camera focuses
on the exceptionally bloody murder of Duncan whereas this act in
Shakespeare's play takes place offstage. One gathers that for Polanski
the crown itself is tainted because at the ending Donalbain, Malcolm's
brother, is shown, pace Shakespeare, riding off to consult the
Witches. Polanski sensationalizes Shakespeare's play by, among other
things, having Macbeth drink the Witches' brew; by presenting the
Witches nude in IV.i; by having Lady Macbeth appear nude in the
sleepwalking scene; and by focusing the camera on the decapitation of
Macbeth."
http://www.geocities.com/flarewuzhere/filmstage.html
Norman Berlin has reviewed the film in "Macbeth: Polanski and
Shakespeare," Film/Literature Quarterly, 1 (1973), 291-298.
David I. Grossvogel has written a review, "When the Stain Won't Wash:
Polanski's Macbeth," Diacritics: A Review of Contemporary Criticism, 2
(Summer, 1972), 46-71.
"I see Macbeth as a young, open-faced warrior, who is gradually sucked
into a whirpool of events because of his ambition. When he meets the
weird sisters and hears their prophecy, he's like the man who hopes to
win a million-a gambler for high stakes."
Roman Polanski
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/q141974.html
"Polanski adds such non-Shakespearean scenes as the execution of
Cawdor, the murder of Duncan, and the final duel between Macbeth and
his avenger Macduff -- all helping to portray, brutally and
convincingly, the cruelty of a world run by savage despots, and making
for an unforgettable film that is almost ceaselessly riveting." ~ Dan
Jardine, All Movie Guide
http://entertainment.msn.com/Movies/Movie.aspx?m=397902
"Though there have been many versions of Shakespeare's Macbeth over
the years, only one has ever treated the subject as though it was a
horror film, Roman Polanski's extraordinary retelling of the play made
in the wake of the horrific murder of his pregnant wife Sharon Tate
and several of his friends. The appalling events of Friday 8th August
1969 at 10050 Cielo Drive inform Polanski's film much more vividly
than the Bard and what we get is a stunning, brutal revision of the
story that retains the integrity of the original while allowing
Polanski a quite extraordinary public exorcism of his pain."
http://www.eofftv.com/review/macbeth_1971_review.htm
It seems to me that Polanski has focused on the more pessimistic and
violent elements of Shakespeare's work. However, those elements do
indeed exist in the original as well, just to a lesser degree.
Additional Links
The Electronic Journal of British Cinema FEMINISM AND ROMAN POLANSKI'S
MACBETH
Peter Balderstone
http://www.shu.ac.uk/services/lc/closeup/polan.htm
Macbeth Review
http://www.geocities.com/tyrannorabbit/macbeth71.html
Apollo Movie Guide's Review of Macbeth (1971)
www.apolloguide.com/ mov_fullrev.asp?CID=598&Next=554
Google Search Terms Used
Polanski Macbeth
://www.google.com/search?q=polanski+macbeth&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=20&sa=N
Thanks,
Anthony |
