Michael_Elliott Macbeth (1948) *** (out of 4)Macbeth (Orson Welles) is told by three witches that he will rise to become the King of Scotland. His wife Lady Macbeth (Jeanette Nolan) talks him into killing the King to gain control.It should come as no shocked that Orson Welles' MACBETH hit theaters to a loud crash meaning that it was a a flop at the box office. The film was re-edited and re-dubbed when it debuted in America but thankfully the complete 107-minute print turned up and is now available for viewing. With that said, this certainly isn't my favorite Welles film and it's certainly not one of the best Shakespeare adaptations out there but at the same time the director did very well considering what he had to work with.You can tell that there really wasn't much of a budget but that doesn't prevent Welles for turning in a beautiful looking film. There are some terrific shots to be found here but what I enjoyed the most was the atmosphere that the director created. There's some very dark scenes and some fog that really packs a nice punch throughout the picture. It also helps that you've got a great cast turning in great performances. Of course, the star is Welles and he manages to work some true magic in the role of Macbeth.I wouldn't call the film great because there really wasn't much momentum anywhere in the picture. I'd say that the film is a bit too stagy at times and I'd argue that a tad bit more energy would have helped things. Still, if you're a fan of Welles then this is certainly a must see.

Eric Stevenson Looking back, I realize that Orson Welles received immense fame in movies like "Citizen Kane" and...that's about it. It's a pity the only other thing he did that was remembered was star in commercials about peas. "Citizen Kane" was so good every movie he made afterwards was compared to it. While that is of course his best work, I think it's important we look at all the other wonderful films he made as he truly was in a wide variety of classics. A lot of people probably haven't even heard of this version.This is a great movie because of all the wonderful costumes and set designs. Everything just has great atmosphere here. It's weird how the most recognizable elements from the story are the three witches, who appear relatively little in the play at all. I still regard "Throne Of Blood" as the best adaptation of this play and for that matter, probably any Shakespearean work. The acting is very good in this movie and they know how to create good atmosphere. It was interesting watching this and being reminded of the plot elements of the classic tale. It seems silly to put a synopsis as most people know it already. If not, this movie will refresh your memory as it is a wonderfully faithful adaptation. Orson Welles wanted to be remembered for all of his great movies. ***1/2

ma-cortes Orson Welles plays and directs splendidly the story about the tragic king who receives a mysterious prophecy from a trio of witches . Shakespeare's classic tragedy is interpreted with celebrated lead performances , being today highly regarded in English-speaking countries . This Macbeth (1948) was magnificently acted , directed by Orson Welles with great cast as Jeanette Nolan , Dan O'Herlihy , Roddy McDowall , Robert Coote , John Dierkes , among others , all of them speaking with authentic Scot accents . This is a low-budgeted retelling with cheap sets , a three-week shooting schedule and an attempt at Scottish accent . Macbeth (Welles) , the Thane of Glamis , and his underling Banquo (Edgar Barrier) have put down a rebellion and are to be rewarded by their overlord , King Duncan (Sanford) . On their way to their castle they meet three witches who prophesy that Macbeth will soon rule , but his kingdom will be short . They are dismissed as crazies but their prophesies come to pass . Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his astute spouse , his equally murderous woman (film debut of Jeanette Nolan) , Lady Macbeth (she is often referred to as "Lady M") , intriguing Macbeth subsequently murders his king and takes the throne for himself . The young Scots nobleman lusting for power , driven onward by crazed Lady and prophecies , all of them lead him to disasters , deaths and destructions . Notorious as well as low-budgeted -about 700.000 dollars- moody adaptation of the Shakespearean classic marked by unflinching happenings , expressionist production design and fatalistic atmosphere . Great example of movie adaptation , thanks to portentous interpretations , intense as well as tragic drama and magnificent filmmaking . A highly stylized and surrealistic approach Orson Welles took to the play . Interesting movie-making within a time frame of 3 weeks , filmed according to a screenplay by Welles . Shot entirely on strange interiors , as the inexpensive bizarre sets were designed by Orson Welles and Dan O'Herlihy , that deliberately emphasize its theatricality . A magnificent recounting of Shakespeare's Macbeth in which all the fire , doom , vengeance and ambition of his text come brilliantly to life . Although Shakespeare's Macbeth has little to do with Macbeth , the King , the real Macbeth was one of Scotland's better kings . Very well made film that contains stunning fight scenes , lots of mood , grisly killings , fine acting , breathtaking battles and being compellingly set in a barbaric society . Realized in cold and thought-provoking style that it bears remarkable resemblance to the Shakespearean original . However , some aspects differ from the original source material . This gripping and fabulous movie is an incredibly detailed vision in its own right . Main cast offers awesome performance and everybody speaks with a Scottish accent . Orson Welles gives a top-drawer acting as a demonic leader receives a prophecy from a trio of women that foretell one day he will become King of Scotland , being driven to self-destruction . Extraordinary support cast , such as Edgar Barrier as Banquo , Dan O'Herlihy as Macduff , Alan Napier as Holy Father , John Dierkes and Roddy MacDowall , who was already a veteran film player , as Malcolm , though he is out of his element . Gloomy as well as evocative cinematography , though very dark and plenty of lights and shades . This grim but compelling motion picture was well directed by Orson Welles who brought the Bard to Republic Pictures and Mercury Theatre , being filmed in 23 days on a very low budget . Although the film was a critical and commercial disaster in both the USA and England, it was a huge success in many non-English speaking countries, especially France, where critics could not understand how the American and British press failed to appreciate it . Most revival , remastering , and new editions now show Orson Welles's original version which runs 105 minutes and it has the cast playing in Scot language . ¨Macbeth¨ (1948) results to be , in fact , the classic rendition , being a followed by worthy continuations based upon Shakespearean classic play , these are the followings : Macbeth (1976) with Eric Porter , Janet Suzman ; Macbeth (1990) with Michael Jayston , Leigh Hunt , being produced as part of HBO's Thames collection ; Macbeth (1971) by Roman Polanski with John Finch , Francesca Annis , Martin Shaw , being first movie made by ¨Playboy Enterprises¨ , commissioned and underwritten by its President , publisher Hugh Hephner , it was torn apart by critics and originally rated X ; this storytelling is not for everyone and it packs some images that make it objectionable for kiddies or squeamish adults . Furthermore , a Japanese adaptation : Throne of Blood (1957) by Akira Kurosawa with Toshiro Mifune , Yamada , Shimura , this is Kurosawa's masterful rendition that transports the story to medieval Japan and the world of the samurai . And recent version (2015) with Michael Fassbender , Marion Cotillard , Sean Harris , Paddy Considine , David Thewlis , among others .

Leofwine_draca Directed by and starring Orson Welles, this is a hugely atmospheric version of the Shakespeare tragedy which plays up the Gothic horror of the play for all its worth. There are nice little stylistic touches of originality, like the creepy voodoo-style doll used by the witches in the opening scene which crops up later on.So far, this is my third favourite version of the story, following on from Polanski's harrowing and excellent TRAGEDY OF MACBETH and Kurosawa's compelling and very different THRONE OF BLOOD. MACBETH shares some similarities with the latter, namely in the atmospheric scene-building and scenes of characters riding through foggy and desolate landscapes.Sadly, the dialogue scenes are the one that lack here. The dialogue is authentic Shakespeare all right, and Welles is certainly a great actor, but I found something lacking. Welles just wasn't moving or involving in the same way Mifune and Finch were involving as the lead. Jeanette Nolan is a scene-chewing Lady Macbeth but lacks a certain something, and seeing the faces of Dan O'Herlihy and in particular Roddy McDowall in support is just, well, odd.This movie is not without merit, and as an exercise in scene-building and set design it's rather excellent. Some moments, like the gripping climax, are brilliant, but other scenes just feel stodgy and don't progress the plot, so it's good in places and weak in others. Nice effort, though.