Macbeth (1971)

Drama | English | 140 minutes

Info

The invasion of Scotland during the Middle Ages is suppressed by Macbeth, the Thane (a title of nobility) of Glamis and his ally Banquo. Riding back to the castle they are approached by three witches who predict that Macbeth will be promoted to Thane of Cawdor and eventually be the future king. Back at the castle, Macbeth is awed when the witches’s prediction comes true and the grateful King Duncan promotes Macbeth, the victor in battle, to be the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth also remembers the witches’s other prediction that he will become king. He reveals this to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who persuades her weak, good-natured husband that the solution is to murder the king. Macbeth does so and becomes king. Wracked with guilt, he and Lady Macbeth become emotionally debilitated. More threatening is Macbeth’s realization that Macduff, a nobleman to the king, is aware of what he has done and seeks revenge.

Cast

Jon Finch (Macbeth) / Francesca Annis (Lady Macbeth) / Nicholas Selby (King Duncan) / Martin Shaw (Banquo) / Terence Baylor (Macduff)

Why Stream This Film?

This film is more visually breathtaking, original, and searing than the recently produced The Tragedy of Macbeth starring Denzel Washington.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 86%

Accolades

National Board of Review: Winner, Best Film; Listed in the Top Ten Best Films of the Year
Macbeth received maximum 4 stars from film critic Roger Ebert

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