Reflect on the film we watched in class directed by Roman Polanski!
JOURNAL ENTRY 4/5/19:
1. Read the two existing reviews above and compare/contrast. What things do you agree or disagree with, after having seen the film?
Both of the two existing reviews talk about how Roman Polanski created a film unlike no other one out there. Out of all Macbeth films, this was the most gruesome. The first review touched on the Charles Manson case, but the second article explained how it influenced the scenes Polanski directed. In addition, the first review talks about how Polanski portrayed Macbeth as a more innocent character than other films because he showed the indecisiveness going on in Macbeth's mind (whether or not to kill Duncan). The second review touched a lot more on how the brutality made most viewers overlook the sophistication of the film. I agree that this film is unlike a lot of other films out there (more gory than the Avengers movies). I did not know about the Manson case before reading these reviews, but it seems likely for Polanski to get inspiration for his films from events happening in the real world. Finally, I disagree with the review saying Macbeth was portrayed more innocently, because ultimately, Macbeth's ambition was able to influence the murder of well-admired people.
2. What kinds of things could the medium of cinema provide that a stage production could not? What are the disadvantages of a film version? Comment on use of costumes, sound/music, lighting, character appearance, and locations / sets.
One thing that the medium of cinema could provide that a stage production could not is having the soliloquies be more like thoughts than of dialogue. In cinema, editors are able to add voice recordings over video clips, allowing the soliloquies be perceived as what the character is thinking. In a stage production, the soliloquies would need to be recited aloud and it would be more difficult to determine whether or not it was a thought. Another thing that the medium of cinema provides is a changing setting, realistic brutality, and less time between scenes. This is important because it helps the play flow better and feel as if you are there. The disadvantages of a film version is that you are not actually there witnessing real people perform/act out the play. Instead, you are watching from a screen. Although the sound and music may fit more in a film, you feel alive and can experience all of the characters' emotions first hand at a stage production.
3. What artistic liberties did Polanski take, as you compare the written play with his version?
One artistic liberty Polanski took in his version was adding scenes to make it more suspenseful and have the viewer on the edge of their seat. For example, at the end of the film, Polanski added a scene where Malcom, the newly crowned King, went to the same witches who foreshadowed Macbeth's reign and death. This left the audience to wonder what would happen next and what the witches told Malcom. In the written play, it ends with Macbeth's head on a stick and Malcom becoming the new King. Another artistic liberty Polanski took was showing fight and death scenes as violent and gruesome as possible. This was an artistic choice chosen by him, and although some people opposed this decision, others enjoyed it. The last artistic liberty Polanski took that I can remember is the character selection. For the witches, he chose two old women and one younger woman, all of which looked gross. Polanski even created a full room of naked witches for the famous "double double toil and trouble" scene.
4. What do you think went well with the film? What would you have changed if you had been the director? Would you defend Polanski's decisions to make this so gory?
I think that the soliloquies and the visuals were executed very well in the film. It was interesting to sort of see into the minds of each of the characters during their soliloquies. Instead of speaking aloud, it was a voice over, to help create the illusion of their thoughts. I also liked how even though the language spoken was not as understandable as modern english, the graphics made up for it and helped me understand what was happening. Shakespearean language is difficult for me to understand, but the film had so many rememberable parts, that as I read the book, I could visualize each scene. Although I have not seen other Macbeth films, I do think that the brutality displayed throughout the film, including the murder of Duncan and the final fight, was a bit too much. I understand that Roman Polanski wanted to bring a new perspective in the film and was inspired by a real murder, it was too gruesome. It probably was not as big of a problem for others, but I had trouble looking at the screen because of the graphics. If I had been the director, the only parts I would change would be the nudity portions and gory scenes because although this film is for older audiences, it makes it more family friendly. Having said this, I would not defend Polanski's decision to make the film so gory because some of the younger and innocent audiences may be disgusted or scared after watching those scenes.
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