Macbeth (1971)

Alternative title: Tragedy of Macbeth
Synopsis: Feature film. Haunting and unsparing in the realism, Polanski’s unique and pessimistic vision confronts both the dark comic elements and terror of the play’s violence. Jon Finch and Francesca Annis are the Macbeths.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 1971
Year of production: 1971
Notes: Budget $2.5, c60% came from the executive producer Hugh Hefner.

The Criterion Blu-Ray edition (2016, UK Region B) features extras, including: ‘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; Interview with co-screenwriter 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 theatre director Peter Coe. Also includes an essay by critic Terrence Rafferty
Subjects: Drama; Shakespeare
Keywords: Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Polanski, Roman
Related items: Macbeth / Hamlet; Polanski Meets Shakespeare; Power and Corruption

Director

Roman Polanski

Producer

Andrew Braunsberg

Cinematographer

Gilbert Taylor

Writer

William Shakespeare

Screenplay

Kenneth Tynan; Roman Polanski

Music

Third Ear Band

Costume

Anthony Mendelson

Art Direction

Fred Carter

Cast