User Reviews

This 61-minute documentary covers a lot of interesting and illuminating ground on the making of Roman Polanski's "Macbeth." Polanski defends his choice to make the violence as explicit as possible by pointing out that it's a bloody play and talks about how both Tuesday Weld and Marianne Faithful were also considered to play Lady Macbeth. Francesca Annis discusses how she refused to pose for a nude pictorial for Playboy and remembers star Jon Finch as a really macho and charismatic guy. Martin Shaw reveals that he also read for the part of Macbeth and goes into detail about how he took horse riding lessons for six weeks for his role as Banquo. Producers Victor Lownes and Andrew Braunsberg go into detail about the movie falling behind schedule and going over budget. Among the other topics that are covered are how screenwriter Ken Tynan was well versed in Shakespeare, Polanski encouraging the cast to speak the dialogue naturally, Columbia barely giving the picture a theatrical release in America, a catapult that was built for use in the film didn't work properly, and the movie's harsh reception from critics in New York City. Recommended viewing for fans of the film.