The Big Picture The works of William Shakespeare have been the touchstone for dramatic productions for centuries, influencing authors, actors, and filmmakers ever since the reign of Elizabeth I. While the genius of Shakespeare is on display in his talent for witty dialogue, comedic turns, and tragic irony, perhaps the most adapted and influential of his plays is Macbeth, often superstitiously referred to as “The Scottish Play.
The Tragedy of Macbeth A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power. Through Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington, the language of Shakespeare is given its proper due, and nothing could be less necessary at that point than adding in extra lines or changing what was already there. Even the more incidental “cut scenes” of less important characters meeting and exchanging news on the road, which are so often cut from other productions, are left in.
One of the more curious adaptation decisions is in the staging and costuming. While it follows the overall theme of simplicity, it is fascinatingly creative with that self-imposed restriction. For example, while the film is clearly not adapted to a modern setting, it is difficult to say exactly when it is supposed to be taking place.