RETRO-ACTIVE: THE BEST FROM THE CINEMA RETRO ARCHIVES

“BLOOD AND PRESTIGE”

By Raymond Benson

(Portions of this review are reprinted from the article “Playboy Goes to Hollywood,” by the same author, which appeared in Cinema Retro, Volume 2, Issue #5, 2006.)

The Criterion Collection has seen fit to release on Blu-ray and DVD (separate packaging) Roman Polanski’s striking film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, originally released in 1971. Not very well received at first, the picture’s reputation has grown over the years such that it is now arguably considered the definitive version of the “Scottish play” on celluloid (although Akira Kurosawa’s 1957 Throne of Blood is certainly a contender). Gritty, realistic, and violent, Polanski’s vision is dark and troubling—as the story is meant to be.

It’s possible that some of the negative press it received in 1971 was due to the fact that it was the first major motion picture produced by Playboy Productions, with Hugh M. Hefner serving as executive producer, while Playboy executive Victor Lownes II served as assistant executive producer (Andrew Braunsberg, a close friend of Polanski’s, was credited as producer). The film came about as a result of the friendship between Polanski and Lownes. The director had been recovering from the tremendous amount of grief he had suffered after the murder of his wife Sharon Tate at the hands of the Manson family in 1969—he needed something that would help purge himself of the ugly and violent images in his head and heart. Shakespeare’s controversial and bloody play seemed to be the right vehicle. (Some say the play is unlucky—there are still theatre people who refuse to refer to it by name.)

Indeed, making the film was something of a catharsis for Polanski—there were a few occasions in which he unwittingly referred to the lead actress as “Sharon.” Adapted by renowned playwright and critic Kenneth Tynan, Polanski’s Macbeth became a poster child for the handful of ultra-violent pictures to be released in 1971—the same year as A Clockwork Orange, Dirty Harry, and Straw Dogs. The blood flows freely in Macbeth—a decapitation is even presented most realistically—but to focus solely on the film’s violence does not do it justice. The film is a remarkably faithful adaptation of the play.

“Corporate was initially against the idea,” Hugh Hefner said in a 2006 interview for Cinema Retro. “It was not a very commercial undertaking, and I knew it wouldn’t make any money. Victor made a strong case to do it and I agreed with him. It was more of a prestige thing for Playboy. Playboy and Shakespeare? Who would have thought?”

The film was made in Scotland, of course, and featured mostly unknown but highly talented stage actors—Jon Finch as Macbeth, Francesca Annis as Lady Macbeth, Nicholas Selby as Duncan, Stephen Chase as Malcolm, Martin Shaw as Banquo, and Terence Bayler as Macduff. At one point during production, Polanski ran over schedule and over budget, causing the insurance backers to drop the guarantee. Hefner had to fly to London, take stock of the situation, and personally guarantee the completion of the film with Playboy Productions’ money.

Back home in the States, Hefner viewed the dailies at the Playboy Mansion. Hefner remembered, “For my birthday that year, the cast—on film—suddenly stopped the action of a scene and began singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me.”

The film did receive a number of very positive reviews and a few awards, too—it won Best Picture from the National Board of Review and won a BAFTA for Costume Design. “Of course, as I predicted, it didn’t make any money,” Hefner said. “In fact, it lost money. But we didn’t really care. It was a good picture and I’m proud of it. I believe since its release the film has gone into the black.”

Criterion’s new 4K digital restoration, approved by Polanski, with 3.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is assuredly the best possible presentation of this remarkable film. The dreary Scottish landscapes are gorgeous in their own way, and you can feel the mud and slop in every scene. Extras include a new documentary featuring interviews with Polanski, Braunsberg, Lownes, and actors Annis and Shaw; a 1971 documentary featuring rare footage of the cast and crew at work; an interview with Kenneth Tynan from a 1971 episode of The Dick Cavett Show; and a segment from the 1972 British TV series Aquarius featuring Polanski and theatre director Peter Coe. Critic Terrence Rafferty’s essay in the booklet rounds out this exceptional package from The Criterion Collection.

Grab it! Just don’t ever pronounce the name of the play aloud!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER FROM AMAZON