Macbeth

When Dr. Edwin said that we were to watch the movie version of Macbeth during our class, I was thinking of the movie version we had watched in the Student Access Centre (SAC) in IPTI. I thought it would be the same movie, but instead it was a totally different version of Macbeth play. The first version that we watched earlier in the teachers institute was more to stage-like performance, whereas the second version that we watched in DKAP B3-08 was more to a real outdoor setting. The first movie version was more to shadowy and dark setting; and showed only the speaking characters at once, whereas the second version that we watched was in ‘daily-living’ setting where any characters could appear at the time a character speaks or uttering soliloquy. Although both movie versions were made in about the same era, the first version appeared to be clearer and better in production although it was more like stage performance. And the most memorable thing is that the first version was easier to understand than the one we watched in DKAP B3-08. The second version, although made in a real living setting and dynamic-moving character, the characters seemed like they failed to show accurate expression according to the scripts, utterances and soliloquy. Only Lady Macbeth seemed to quite impressive of the way she feared the ghost and sleepwalking. The main character, Macbeth himself looked quite static in movement and I would say, “this man is not a good actor”. The fighting and war seemed fake as well. I mean, what were the other warriors doing merely standing like trees watching Macduff and Macbeth fighting to their death? The fighting and war (in my opinion) was supposed to be very deadly, full of hatred, revenge and intention to slash the opponent’s head! The soliloquy and aside were not directed well too, as the soliloquy and aside were in slow paces while the characters who were acting them did not quite follow the flow of expression. The three witches, however, were quite fine in the way they were performed and portrayed, but it was out off because they were supposed to disappear in the air, not walking on the beach. Moreover, the language in the movie was quite difficult to understand as it was entirely linguistically reversed, what more if uttered. It is more convenient to read the scripts from the book itself; better in presentation of intentions and actions. I would say, reading the play is better compared watching the play. No offense, but for me, it truly is ;p