MacBeth by Shakespeare
The similarites and differences of films
Different Perspectives
Shakespeare had written allot of plays during the 1900s. One play that students read across the country is Macbeth. Film directors have made various versions of Shakespeare's play. Two directors particularly is Rupert Goold and Roman Polanski. They had many similarities and differences on how Shakespeare intended the audience to view his play. This includes the witches appearance, the way they acted, and the way moments felt in the play.
These two gentlemen both directed their own movies of Macbeth
The Witches Apperance
Polanski
In Polanskis version of Macbeth, the witches have hunchbacks and are very old. They seem to want to hide their eyes from the audience and seem somewhat shy but evil. They are wearing very beat up and worn clothing. This is important because it shows that Polanski interpreted them as being the stereotypical Witch and unwanted.
Goold
Goolds point of view of how the witches needed to look was more modern.They seemed more younger than the "Average Witch" and didn't have creepy voices. They also seemed to have more confidence in front of the camera. He had them as nurses, like they were suppose to help people.
The Scenery
Shakespeares witches were outside in his play.
Polanski
In the beginning of the movie, Polanski had the Witches be on a beach. They show the water and sunset/sunrise in the backround, and as well as the sand.
Goold
Goold had the introduction scene be in the hallways that introduce the witches. This seems a little suspenseful, also because its a tight room.
The Witches Attitude
In Shakespeares play, the Witches were very snippy like.
Polanski
When he made his film, the witches seemed very evil right from the start. They were burying a hand in the sand and pouring blood over it. This gave the sense that they were vicious right away.
Goold
When Goold had made his film, he made the witches seem like they were being nurses and helping people- only to see that they were saying the future and warning them.
What film was most accurate to the book?
Macbeth directed by Polanski seemed to be more accurate to the play that Shakespeare had written. The reason why is because the witches came off as more secretive about the whole thing- including the way they acted. When they dug up the hand, nobody was around them before and after, whereas the witches in Goolds play were just "helping" the man in the bed in front of a crowd. Not only this but also because they were outside. Goolds pg/castle. Lastly, the witches were straight up ugly.
Which film did you like best?
The film I liked the most was the one directed by Goold. The reason why s because it seemed more modern but yet you got the main idea. The other reason why is because they came off as more suspenseful. You wouldn't think they were there to hurt people and give the negative feel if you seen them as nurses.