This production is notable for its crisp cinematography, voice-over soliloquies, distracting Scottish accents, and brutal pruning of Shakespeare's text. The elimination of entire scenes made way for new scenes not often in the play, including horses galloping across the countryside, the execution of Cawdor, an elaborate procession to Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth dispensing drugged wine to Duncan's guards, Birnam Wood creeping along to Dunsinane, and Lady Macbeth running around screaming like a loon.
Welles also added a new character called "Holy Father" in order to make the play seem a more direct struggle between good and evil. Unfortunately, the character has the hairstyle of Heidi and the screen presence of a large wooden door.
Nevertheless, Orson Welles makes a charismatic and commanding Macbeth, and Jeanette Nolan (in her screen debut) is lovely and quietly scheming as his lady.
The witches (one male and two female) are costumed traditionally as hags with long gray hair.
Welles as always used black and white film to good effect, producing an eerie and expressionistic film.
Welles also added a new character called "Holy Father" in order to make the play seem a more direct struggle between good and evil. Unfortunately, the character has the hairstyle of Heidi and the screen presence of a large wooden door.
Nevertheless, Orson Welles makes a charismatic and commanding Macbeth, and Jeanette Nolan (in her screen debut) is lovely and quietly scheming as his lady.
The witches (one male and two female) are costumed traditionally as hags with long gray hair.
Welles as always used black and white film to good effect, producing an eerie and expressionistic film.