The release of this historical drama based on William Shakespeare's popular play brought back memories of my English Literature teacher in secondary (high) school. The man loved his alcohol but it never interfered with his love of literature and teaching skill. He would come to class and torture us daily with the witches' line:
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
Macbeth, Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night are the plays I enjoyed studying in school but I relied on the editor's note and the attached summary to understand the plot. More than 95% of us students did not care so much for these plays because of difficulty in understanding Shakespearean English. Therefore, I commend Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand and other actors for memorising their lines and acting the part.
*[Source: YouTube](https://youtu.be/HM3hsVrBMA4)*Without giving away any spoilers, many people are familiar with Macbeth, a tragedy written by Williams Shakespeare. This film captures the better part of it by starting with a scene where Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis (played by Denzel Washington), and Banquo (played by Bertie Carvel) return from battle victorious. Then they meet three witches who prophesy that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland.
Right before Macbeth's eyes, the Thane of Cawdor is beheaded per the king's order and he is made the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth becomes confident in the witches' prediction. Why stay content with the position of Thane of Cawdor when he could as well be the king? Powerful greed and deadly desire taint Macbeth's mind as he aims for the throne with the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth (played by Frances McDormand). Will Macbeth succeed in his ambitions to rule Scotland? As is characteristic of Shakespearean tragedies, the final curtain will witness a stage littered with blood and dead bodies!
Review
Once again, I watch this brilliant play come to life via my screen rather than through my Literature teacher's dramatics in class! The Tragedy of Macbeth is a haunting portrayal of the corrupting influence of power on the power-hungry duo, Macbeth and his wife, whose ruthless pursuit of their ambition leads to their ultimate downfall. This film explores the destructive nature of power and leaves viewers with lessons on the perils of unchecked ambition.
It's no easy feat to perform any of Shakespeare's works and make them nearly as perfect as it's written. Everything has to be in a delicate balance, from the images and words to the stage setting. If the images upstage the words or vice versa, the film may fail. But a film that effectively captures the language in its archaic strangeness and makes the poetry come to life is simply perfection. Joel Coen did a fantastic job with this film. Being his solo directorial debut, it's outstanding and a classic in my opinion. And this brings me to the visuals!
Cinematography
I love The Tragedy of Macbeth’s visual simplicity! I'm not a fan of black and white films because I grew up in the era of coloured films so it can be a little uncomfortable to watch such films unless the plot is brilliant and engaging. But not with The Tragedy Of Macbeth. It's a classic that masterfully draws viewers into its dark and foreboding world with its stunning gothic-like black and white cinematography. You literally feel the chills as you watch.
Joel Coen couldn't have done it better. The use of black and white perfectly captures the mood of the play. It adds depth and complexity to the film, bringing the play to life and immersing viewers in twists and turns. The moody score also adds some tension and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
Another thing I love is the set design. It is meant to visually fascinate the audience. The intricate details create a captivating and melancholic atmosphere, reminiscent of classic film noirs. This film sets the pace as a classic example of how cinematography, score, and set design can be seamlessly integrated to create a captivating and memorable viewing experience.
The Cast
Need I say more? I'm charmed by every movie Denzel Washington appears in and this one is no exception. He and Frances McDormand are compelling as Lord and Lady Macbeth, the power-hungry duo who will stop at nothing to capture the throne of Scotland. Their performances are impressive. I admire the way Denzel starts as the doubtful and reluctant Thane with a ruthless wife who pushes him. In no time, the roles become reversed and we see Macbeth had it in him all the while. He just needed a catalyst.
Another character to look forward to in this film is Kathryn Hunter. Her performance of the three witches is haunting and riveting. She conveys an otherworldliness to her appearances and voice such that viewers will have no choice but to believe her, even if Macbeth did not at first. The scene that featured the depiction of her bubbling cauldron is a work of art.
The supporting cast is great as well, especially Bertie Carvel as Banquo and Corey Hawkins as Macduff.
Overall, I'll say this film is staged in a way that delivers a thrilling theatrical experience. I enjoyed watching it and would recommend you watch it too.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Other images are screenshots from the movie
