Macbeth / McKellen, Dench (Thames Shakespeare Collection)

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Starring: Ian McKellen
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Philip Casson
Studio: A&E Home Video
Release Date: 2004-11-16
Running Time: 146 minutes
Murder, prophecy, and witches! MACBETH returns, starring Academy Award®-nominee Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Academy Award®-winner Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love), on DVD for the first time anywhere. First broadcast on Britain's Thame

Missing CC
Since my hearing is pretty bad - even with hearing aids - I depend on sub-titles and/or close captioning. This DVD was described as having CC but it didn't so I could not understand the dialog.

sub-tiltles wud have helped
I realize any Shakespeare aficionado needs no subtitles, as he/she knows it all by heart. I for one get tired of reading my book to go along with the character's dialogue, but I suppose i too shall one day soon find myself mouthing the Bard's immortal words without thinking.
The acting is GREAT.

Needs closed captioning
Unless the viewer has the play memorized, closed captioning would often be needed to catch what is being said "dramatically" in this DVD. So frustrating. This particular performance of Macbeth focuses on Shakespeare's words by drastically minimizing the action, scenery and costuming, so for the words to be undiscernable is a big flaw. I always prefer to use closed captioning because my son is hard-of-hearing, but everyone would benefit from it with this DVD.

this swelling act of an imperial theme...
Two major things going on in the world right now (4/08) are the Bush Administration's mishandling of the Iraq War and the Presidential campaigns. Two major themes that arise while seeing this production of Macbeth are blind ambition and lust for power. By the end of Act I, scene iv, (about a half-hour or so into this film) just after Macbeth eyes the crown as it's being elevated from the King's head, and utters, "Stars hide your fires, let not light see my deep and black desires...", you know what the rest of the play will be about. And, so, there lies two choices for the viewer: endure the rest of the film as a sort of waste of time and `Shakespeare isn't all that great a writer', or, for example under the two aforementioned pretenses, give the movie a chance and see how the story is going to play out...

The power behind this minimalist production combined with the deeply precise action within the poetry of the language is so very well put together.

Looking at the events that happen shortly thereafter in the play, somewhat realizing how he had been bewitched into the temptation to "become King, hereafter", he proceeds to talk himself out of what he just refers to as "this business" (committing murder and treason); then, he gets talked back into reconsidering it and agrees to go ahead with it after all; then, ultimately, has to re-convince himself outside of the King's chamber (in an chilling scene, the famous `dagger' soliloquy). Regarding the last of these scenarios, if he had been able to actually hear himself he would've certainly been reminded how such a person as he would've absolutely not been cut out to overcome the potential obstacles within his conscience, for he was bound by virtue to King, country, and valiance as a soldier, friend, and general (as well as possibly God-fearing, although that's not 100% clear). And, from any potential natural obstacle that can arise uncontrollably from a simple plan, both an instance end up sealing his fate.

Great actors and directors are necessary to pull off Shakespeare. The scene between Macduff and Malcolm's soul-searching/testing the characteristics of a hero versus a villain, is terrific. Judi Dench is just terrifying as Lady Macbeth. The dvd's special features with Ian Mckellen are good. He discusses some of the realities toward which some of the actors' performances and the play relate, the actor's different styles, among other interesting things. And, this film has a better, more thought-provoking ending than the play, as it was written.

...Unless WMDs are mysteriously found, we the people are left to support the troops and innocent Iraqi civilians in the midst of a White House that has had as high a turnover as your local McDonald's--for at least a couple of years there--with still no justifiable reason for our military incursion. And, along the home front, we have a Democrat incomprehensibly going negative against another Democrat whose ambition just isn't nearly quite as personal, as he aims for a progressive leadership.

It would be nice in this or any time when our favorite Shakespeare play could be A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth was an antique. I have sort of what I would call a punk-ethic when it comes to understanding things that are undeniably strong and honest in their depiction toward a greater good. Such things as widely seen and read as Macbeth--"...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"--I would think should be well understood throughout most if not all of our worldwide community, by now.

Far Better than Orson Welles Version
My daughter made 1st witch in her 6th grade school play. In my youth I did Hamlet and Richard III, so I KNOW the difficulty and skill to do Shakespeare correctly. This is done WELL. Short of Lord Olivier's performances, which are rare at best, there is no better production company of those that really do define the best trained Shakespearean actors available.
And while my daughter is not Lady Macbeth...yet...lol....Judy Dench is outstanding.