Customer Reviews
Not for actors! - By: E. J. Berge, 15 Mar 2006 
Having remembered this version of Macbeth from school, I thought I'd have another look at it to help me in my studies of Shakespeare (as a university drama student). However, it seems my memory had played tricks on me. To be fair, I only watched the 1st half hour of the film before giving up on it, so it may have picked up later, but I gave up on it because of the appallling acting. Every thing is so over the top that it grates. Although Jane Lapotaire does an interesting interpretation of the 'come, you spirits' speech, she may as well have a sign saying 'I Am Acting' written above her. Nicol Williamson can't even claim that. And of course, being an obvious low budget film, the costume, camera work & scenery are nothing to rave about. All in alll, I can find nothing that I could recommend about this film, especiallly not to drama students.
Excellent performance - By: Dorie, 24 Mar 2005 
I own several on screen versions of Macbeth, including the RSC version with Ian McKellen & Judi Dench, the 2001 RSC version directed by Gregory Doran, & the Roman Polanski cinematic version, so I believe I can safely say that the BBC Macbeth is the one I was most impressed with. Both Nicol Williamson & Jane Lapotaire give impressive performances. Williamson manages to realisticallly portray Macbeth as a terrified man, & Lapotaire is perfect as Lady Macbeth. This film explores the psychological dimension of the play to a much greater extent than other filmed versions, which emphasize the political. Here, the director delves into the protagonist's mind, & the result is tremendous.
There are many memorable moments in this film, such as Nicol Williamson wringing his hands behind his back as he knows his deed is about to be discovered, Jane Lapotaire with bloody hands pushing her husband towards the bedroom, or the terror in Lady Macduff's eyes as her child is slaughtered.
I also liked the lighting effects at the opening of the play, especiallly the use of colours for the sky.
I highly recommend this Macbeth to alll those who truly appreciate Shakespeare.
Good play, but... - By: , 28 Nov 2004 I have been a great fan of Shakespeare's plays for some time now, in particular Hamlet & Macbeth, so I decided to rent this out from the video library & give it a try. Jane Lapotaire's performance is OK, & there are some good supporting performances, but Nicol Williamson is so bad! His melodramatic performance of the 'Is this a dagger?' soliloquy was hilariously bad, & I was mortified to watch him slaughtering the 'To-morrow, & to-morrow, & to-morrow' speech with his slow, roaring delivery - "To .... mo .... rrrrow; aaaaaaaaaaaaaand to .... mo .... rrrrow" etc. There's got to be a better filmed version of this play out there. Don't get this.
