Never underestimate Joel Coen. In a year when nine of the top-grossing films are part of a franchise, his new film is Shakespeare. Entirely filmed on soundstages, with abstract, Expressionistic set…
In a year when nine of the top-grossing films are part of a franchise, his new film is Shakespeare. Entirely filmed on soundstages, with abstract, Expressionistic sets. It’s in black and white. The stars are over 60.” is one of the year’s best, and one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare on film.
That’s possible, but another theory is credible: Ever since Shakespeare wrote it early in the 1600s, “Macbeth” has been a crowdpleaser. And when theatrical managers would tour their plays around the country, if their shows weren’t selling well, they would add “Macbeth,” which guaranteed good box office. So whenever actors heard “Macbeth,” it meant their company was likely having financial troubles.
Filmmakers recognized the surefire material from the early days, including an 1898 short and a nine-minute version in 1908. In a 1971 review of Polanski’s adaptation,said it was the 16th known film version. In 2022, IMDb listed more than 100 productions, including Ian McKellen & Judi Dench ; and Patrick Stewart in the title role, directed by Rupert Goold .Variety
And, for the record, “Macbeth” reflects Shakespeare’s backstage politics. James I of Scotland ascended to the English throne in 1603 and became the patron of Shakespeare’s theater company, transforming them from the Lord Chamberlain’s Men into the King’s Men.