Macbeth

A raw and bleak hypnotic film that will forever remain out of the mainstream. Audience-averse and psychedelic, the film lyrically tells the story of Shakepeare's warrior exclusively through breathtaking cinematography, lighting and period music. Forget about a wartime historical spectacle or crowd scenes, the Kurzel brothers have gone all out. There are only a few action scenes, and most of them are shrouded in a mysterious misty shroud, or thanks to the aforementioned lighting work that creates countless breathtaking shots. The individuality of this film is impossible to deny. What is debatable, however, is to what extent this is an appropriate form of presentation of Shakespeare's legend, as in many aspects of the plot and in terms of the flow of the story, it is questionable to say the least and difficult to digest. (11/08/2015)

I can't help but think that if I had seen this film first, it probably wouldn't compel me to watch Shakespearean tragedies in the theater. It has everything this play should have, but at the same time, it's so incredibly unpleasant to watch that I didn't enjoy looking at it, despite the presence of my favorite actors. (02/21/2016)

Shakespearean film adaptations used to fall into two groups – academically respectful and faithful to the source material (Branagh) or hysterically out of touch (Romeo+Juliet, O). But so far no one has come up with such an autonomous audiovisual treatment that envelops the entire plot in its own enclosed world of heather, fog, and smoke. Macbeth is filled with formalist shortcuts, the language of the original play is spoken by the characters, thus gaining impenetrability, and the insistent stylization culminates in a surreal conclusion that is essentially the greatest creative license over the play. It is here that Kurzel's ability to not only create images, but more importantly to think within them, can be seen. Sean Harris, in turn, steals the show. The nominations should have been flying here. I was in raptures for the entire running time. PS: I think, ironically, the greatest enjoyment of the film will be had by those who know little or nothing about Macbeth. PPS: great soundtrack! (02/23/2016)

The best adaptation of Shakespeare for a really long time. Visually captivating, gloomy Scottish hills and verses interlaced with madness and fears. Fassbender as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as his wife give their very best. Ambition, power, women. The age-old danger of temptation of a good man. If he succumbs, he will be damned. (02/02/2016)

The archaism of spoken language as a counterpoint to the language of film. Both Shakespeare and Kurzel tell their own stories, but they fit together like few others. If I hadn’t known "Macbeth" from school, the protagonists would have talked a hole into my head. However, you can take Arkapaw's images anywhere, print them on a large format and hang them in galleries. (12/07/2016)