Macbeth

1979·Movie
2h 25min
74
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Macbeth fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension7
  • Violence6
  • Scare5

Heart

Deeply moving and cathartic

  • Pathos9
  • Catharsis8
  • Melancholy7

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit

  • Wit & Wordplay8
  • Dark Humor4
  • Situational Comedy0

World

History, the mind, and politics

Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • Rewatchability8
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting10
  • Dialogue Quality10
  • Character Depth10

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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About

Macbeth is a 1978 videotaped version of Trevor Nunn's Royal Shakespeare Company production of the play by William Shakespeare. Produced by Thames Television, it features Ian McKellen as Macbeth and Judi Dench as Lady Macbeth. The TV version was directed by Philip Casson. The original stage production was performed at The Other Place, the RSC's small studio theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. It had been performed in the round before small audiences, with a bare stage and simple costuming. The recording preserves this style: the actors perform on a circular set and with a mostly black background changes of setting are indicated only by lighting changes.
Shakespearean TragedyStage Play AdaptationIntense Psychological DramaPowerful Lead PerformancesMinimalist TheatricalityHistorical DramaMoral CorruptionLinguistic BrillianceClassic LiteratureHuman Ambition

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Macbeth

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Macbeth legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Macbeth in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Macbeth worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7.6 and Metacritic 83). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Macbeth rated?

ViolenceDisturbing imagery

Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Macbeth?

2 h 25 min

Macbeth runs 2 h 25 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Macbeth?

Critics83
Audiences71

Not quite. Critics rate Macbeth higher (83) than audiences (71). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Macbeth in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.

What tropes does Macbeth use?

Offscreen Moment of AwesomeSacred HospitalityArc NumberThere Is No Kill Like OverkillSelf-Fulfilling ProphecyPyrrhic VictoryHistorical Villain UpgradeThe InsomniacOmniscient Council of VaguenessBig BadForeshadowingIt Gets Easierand 165 more

TV Tropes lists 177 storytelling tropes for Macbeth, including Offscreen Moment of Awesome, Sacred Hospitality, Arc Number.

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