Macbeth Movie Act 1-3 Response

1. What was it like to SEE the acts after READING the acts--how was the experience different?

After reading acts 1-3 in Shakespeare's story Macbeth, I had a picture in my mind where the scene's were being taken place, what the characters looked like, and how they talked. After watching the movie, all of my previous play settings in my mind have been drastically altered. I have to say I was a little disappointed in the movie because after hiring all the phenomenal actors I was expecting to see a setting in the 1050's in castle or an open field. Instead the play was produced like a play and took place on a dark stage with minimal props. This experience was very different from what I had imagined because I was expecting the plays background to change rather than stay the same the whole time. The actors who portrayed the characters did a very fine job. Their accents and their facial expressions really lead me to believe that this was what people in the 1050's spoke like. The actors also used great body language in the movie. In the reading it was sometimes difficult for me to comprehend what the mood was in the play, but with the help of the actors body language I was able to easily tell if their character was in anguish, contentment, or sorrow.

2. Which character were you most intrigued by or surprised by in the movie version? Why?

I was most intrigued by the weird sisters in the movie version. I was intrigued because I was shocked how dark and unpredictable they were. I new that they were rather shadowed, but after seeing the witches being played by professional actresses my opinion on them completely changes. When I first saw the witches I thought the were rather calm, but after their opening soliloquy my opinion quickly changed. The witches were a great opening for the movie because they almost describe how dark the coming acts will be.

3. Which scene was most memorable for you--briefly describe it and explain why you think it was so powerful.

The scene that was most memorable for me was the scene when Banquo was stabbed to death. The reason Macbeth ordered a murder upon Banquo was because he learned that Banquo would father kings. Banquo's son, Fleance, was the only heir of Banquo. If Macbeth were to kill Fleance and not Banquo, then Banquo would assume it was Macbeth because the only other person who knew his fortune was Macbeth. This meant that Macbeth had to order the murder of Fleance and Banquo so that the threat of Fleance would be destroyed and the assumption of Banquo would be destroyed as well. This scene was so powerful because Banquo was Macbeth's best friend and to order the death of your life long friend stirs up much emotion.

4. If you were the director, what would you have done differently with the setting of the play?

As I have already stated I would actually have a set where the actors would act in order to make the play seem more lifelike. I understand that the dark stage would better symbolize Shakespeare's play aspect, but I think to keep the audience more engaged in they should involve modern day technology to paint a nice background. Other than that I think the director did a wonderful job with acts 1-3 so far.

5. If you could re-cast the play in a modern setting, who would you choose to play each of the following characters and why (consider famous actors and actresses):

Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
Duncan


For Macbeth I would cast Will Farrell. I know how ridiculous this sounds, but I think if we involved some comedy in the already dark Shakespearean play it could be a tremendous success.

For Lady Macbeth I would cast Emily Watson. Due to the fact that Shakespeare wrote this play in 1600's English, I think an actress with a British accent is what the play needs. Emily Watson can be rather dark in movies and combined with a British accent could amount to a tremendous actress for this movie.

For Banquo I would cast John C. Riley. This pick is already because of the preexisting friendship between him and Will Farrell. This could also could hit home more when Will Farrell orders the murder of his best friend.

For Duncan I would cast Morgan Freeman. Due to the fact that he is old and has a voice that sounds like he has seen much in his life, I think that his traits brought to King Duncan could really portrait the wisdom and generosity that King Duncan has given.