Macbeth on the Estate (TV 1997)

Director:

Penny Woolcock

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Penny Woolcock (screenplay)

Stars:

James Frain, Susan Vidler, Andrew Tiernan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Frain	...	Macbeth
Susan Vidler	...	Lady Macbeth
Andrew Tiernan	...	Banquo
David Harewood	...	Macduff
Jonathan Dow	...	Rosse (as Jo Dow)
Patsi Fox	...	Lady MacDuff
Ray Winstone	...	Duncan
Graham Bryan	...	Malcolm
Martin O'Brien	...	Seyton
Darren Whitbrook	...	Crackhead
Richard Chinn	...	Weird Child
Clare Dowling	...	Weird Child
Lee Williams	...	Weird Child
Dermot Daly	...	Donalbain
Shane McDougall	...	Fleance

Storyline

---

Plot Keywords:

shakespeare's macbeth | based on play | character name in title

---

Details

Country:

UK

Company Credits

User Reviews

Really very good adaptation.

This is one of those updates that make you look again at the play as the dialogue sounds too modern. It also shows that certain themes persist and Shakespeare knew a thing or two about human psychology. There is less sense of individual stars than of a team. All characters are important as the Macbeths weren't operating in a vacuum but within power structures. The sad thing about Macbeth is the feeling that a different wife might not have encouraged him to take the fateful step that eventually led to their downfall. She seems quite ruthless but soon starts to fall apart. It's the fairy gold story. It was easy to feel that Duncan didn't deserve his fate. The children in place of witches was a nice sinister and unexpected touch. It ought to be generally available and be watched repeatedly to show that special effects are not necessary. Very good.