I managed to get a copy of this VERY hard to obtain BBC adaption of "MacBeth on the Estate". God, this film should be available to EVERYONE. It is extremely timely and believable. It is totally convincing in the unique setting that director Penny Willcot (sp?) picked. In a world of drugs and Drug King-pins, MacBeth fits wonderfully. I just can't believe more people haven't seen this. This is the best modern-day adaption of Shakespeare I've ever seen. All the acting is perfect. The stand-outs are Susan Vidler (what a seductive and pained Lady MacBeth she does make), James Frain (a MacBeth full of male pride, envy, ambition, and an all consuming lust for his manipulative wife. He goes from reluctant assassin of his King to horrifying mass murderer with terribly convincing emotion), and David Harewood (a deeply moving McDuff). I have watched my tape of this over and over, and it moves me to tears every time. It is Shakespeare at it's best. It is Shakespeare for the masses. So *new*...so different...so fantastically glorious. If you can track it down, watch it! You'll adore it. William Shakespeare could never have foreseen a MacBeth like this...but his wonderfully tragic anti-hero makes a perfectly unrepentant--yet still tormented--Drug Lord.
Review of Macbeth on the Estate
