Macbeth in film

Shakespeare’s plays have long been a favorite for adaptation, on both stage and screen. Whether it’s the musical West Side Story updating Romeo and Juliet’s fair Verona to New York City, or the drama of Hamlet serving as the inspiration for Disney’s The Lion King, audiences are accustomed to seeing Shakespearian plays on the big screen. Lyric is opening the 2021/22 Season with Verdi’s Macbeth — another homage to the original play — and there are plenty of movies inspired by the King of Scotland himself. Here is a list of films that can reacquaint any Shakespeare fan to the story of Macbeth to help prepare for Lyric’s upcoming production of The Scottish Opera!

1. Macbeth (1948 film) — produced, directed, and starring Orson Welles in the titular role, this theatrical adaptation made slight changes to the original play to enhance the storytelling through cinema, but overall, it closely followed the line of the original story of Macbeth. A key difference includes Welles giving the witches more screen time to increase the significance of their roles in Macbeth’s life. The role of Lady Macbeth is taken on by Jeanette Nolan, and Dan O’Herlihy acted as Macduff. This is a good introductory film to the story, and it only took three weeks to film!

2. Throne of Blood (1957 Japanese film) – This film adaptation of the Shakespearian play is a Japanese historical drama. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, the setting changes from Medieval Scotland to Feudal Japan and was shot around Mount Fuji. Thanks to the overall theme and direction of this Japanese-language film, it’s regarded as one of the best Macbeth adaptations.

3. Macbeth (1979 staged film) — This filmed version of Macbeth is a videotaped performance of Trevor Nunn’s Royal Shakespeare Company staged production. Sir Ian McKellen captivates the audience as Macbeth and Dame Judi Dench’s performance as Lady Macbeth is bewitching. This film differs from others because of its lack of emphasis on scenery and costume in its intimate stage setting.

4. Men of Respect (1990) — This crime drama film is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, but instead of vying for the position of King of Scotland, the main character, Mike Battaglia, will stop at nothing to assume control of the D’Amico crime family. Directed by William C. Reilly, this mob-cultured Macbeth also stars Rod Steiger, Stanley Tucci, Dennis Farina, and Peter Boyle.

5. Scotland, PA (2001) — Directed by Billy Morrissette, this dark comedy takes the original story of Macbeth and places it in the small town of Scotland, Pennsylvania in a fast-food restaurant named “Duncan’s Café.” Christopher Walken stars as Lieutenant McDuff, alongside James Le Gros as Joe ‘Mac’ Mcbeth, and Maura Tierney as the film’s interpretation of Lady Macbeth, Pat McBeth. The dark comedic twist on the traditional story is a fun way to relearn the story in a more modern setting.

6. Macbeth (2015 film) — Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2015, this retelling of Macbeth stays true to the play, and heightens the implications of the psychological and physical effects that come with Macbeth’s political ambition. Starring Michael Fassbender as the titular character and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, this modern interpretation provides audiences with a classic Shakesperian story shot with amazing cinematography. 

7. The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) — This black-and-white film, directed by Joel Coen, will be released in September 2021 as a new interpretation of the original story. This film stars Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth, Denzel Washington as Macbeth, and Corey Hawkins as Macduff.

Verdi’s Macbeth is onstage at Lyric Opera September 17-October 9. Secure your seats today!