This Hallmark Hall of Fame production of Macbeth is poorly lit; the actors appear either over-exposed by a bright spotlight or lost in shadow, and in both cases, facial expressions are difficult to read.
The soundtrack also has its flaws, with the actors throwing away some lines in too-soft whispers. The style of performance is overly theatrical, a caricature of Shakespearean acting.
The costumes and hairstyles are Hollywood-medieval, and the fight scenes, filmed with what sounds like wooden swords, are unrealistic, to say the least.
The witches are played as old hags in black robes.
The Macbeths are not a young couple, and Lady Macbeth could easily have doubled as one of the witches, particularly in the "unsex me now" scene, which is complete with music that is meant to be (but is not) unnerving.
The only outstanding aspect of the film is Pat O'Malley's performance as the Porter in the knocking-at-the-gate scene.
The soundtrack also has its flaws, with the actors throwing away some lines in too-soft whispers. The style of performance is overly theatrical, a caricature of Shakespearean acting.
The costumes and hairstyles are Hollywood-medieval, and the fight scenes, filmed with what sounds like wooden swords, are unrealistic, to say the least.
The witches are played as old hags in black robes.
The Macbeths are not a young couple, and Lady Macbeth could easily have doubled as one of the witches, particularly in the "unsex me now" scene, which is complete with music that is meant to be (but is not) unnerving.
The only outstanding aspect of the film is Pat O'Malley's performance as the Porter in the knocking-at-the-gate scene.