NPR: Laurence Olivier, whose interpretations of Shakespeare's signature roles were often considered definitive, adapted several of those roles for film. He wrote and directed widely praised versions of Hamlet, Henry V and Richard III.
Olivier hoped to bring a fourth Shakespeare play to the big screen: Macbeth. The great actor and director wrote the screenplay, but couldn't raise the money to make the film. The screenplay was soon forgotten and thought lost — until recently. Jennifer Barnes, a university lecturer from the U.K., found Olivier's adaptations at the British Library.
4 comments:
It does not surprise me that in the screen of Macbeth would be a grey and blood red landscape Macbeth is often shown in this way. Though cutting such a famous soliloquy is extremely surprising. to me this is an important piece of text that could lead towards Macbeth's madness or the witches power to mess with Macbeth. Although I believe you can cut the script I don't think somebody should cut this monologue.
I agree that it seems strange to cut the dagger soliloquy, as I do believe that it's one of the most famous, or at least iconic, soliloquy. I do like the idea of further implicating Lady Macbeth in Duncan's murder. Is there any particular reason why Macbeth is considered cursed? I know I've heard several interesting reasons why, but does anyone know how that idea started, and why it is Macbeth that's cursed rather than another of Shakespeare's plays?
I don't know why "Macbeth" gets such a bad rap. Sure the incantations actually conjure evil spirits to the stage, alright fine 80% of theatres that produce it close within a year, and yes, everyone who ever played Macbeth or Lady Macbeth dies, but why should that stop us? It's a damn good show. Strange that the only film adaptation of it I actually like is "Throne of Blood," but this one could be good too. Olivier takes on a pretty tough job by trying to film the play directly. I guess I never really see the point of that. Why not instead, as Kurosawa does, take the elements of the story and make something new with them. Of course I know this wasn't his style, but I'm not sure why we care how he might have adapted Macbeth for the screen except from a historical or dramaturgical perspective. I don't think the current movie market really has room for Shakespeare anyway. Unless you can cast Beyonce as Lady Macbeth. I might see that.
I would be interested to see if any film company picks this up and makes it. Was it Olivier's acting that really made the adaptation? The directing? In other words would finding this cut warrant the creation of another movie version of Macbeth, or would the curse take down movie production as well?
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