Shakespeare's Globe on Screen: Macbeth [Joseph Millson, Samantha Spiro, Stuart Bowman] [DVD] [2014] [NTSC]

I actually went to see this production last summer at The Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, in fact it was so wonderful, I went and saw it again. Obviously, watching a play `live' is an amazing experience but having seen this DVD production, I cannot fault it as it is an absolutely a terrific consolation if you never had the chance to see this play.This play was so refreshing and magnificent to watch. The set and costumes were understated but still attractive and the acting was simply astounding. The two main protagonists are marvellous and awe-inspiring and have the audience attention right from the start.The perfectly cast Joseph Millson plays such a cool, swarthy and captivating Macbeth. His clear and concise delivery of his soliloquies were so mesmerising and he has such a powerful stage presence. I could see many females were swooning over this Macbeth. Samantha Spiro played a very waspish but despairing Lady Macbeth. This is such a dark and tragic play but there are comic elements in it which funnily enough fit in very well in between the dark themes. Millson and Spiro are such ingenious actors because they are so good in confusing the audience emotions and as a viewer you end up feeling some kind of pathos for them when you really shouldn't. Banquo was very well played by Billy Boyd. The witches were quite beguiling as well as being cunning. Also, I loved Bette Bourne as the Porter who provided some comic relief. When I watched it in the theatre, I loved the memorable finale (won't spoil it for you) after the play ended, the whole cast got the whole audience up on their feet, clapping and swaying. It was almost like you were attending a music concert.Moreover, this production had me gripped from the start. This version would also appeal to the young audience who want to understand and appreciate Shakespeare as I saw so many young students from many countries wonderstruck whilst watching it at the Theatre. I have seen many versions of Macbeth but this is the most enjoyable one I have seen so far as it has abit of comic relief but without forfeiting the traditional elements of Shakespeare (and will appeal to the purists as well), dramatic and dark themes of the play. I highly recommend this version of Macbeth to have your DVD collection of classics. I totally agree with the reviewer Lomax, `all hail Macbeth'. I wish I could give it 10 stars.

As a teacher I ban films for set texts as they are very rarely true to the text and confuse my students. This one is true to the play and well worth the worth as revision.

This production hits a lot of wrong notes. I've never seen Macbeth played for so many laughs. There is consequently not much of an atmosphere of evil. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason in how this production uses accents. Some nobles speak with Scottish accents, some don't. The same with race. Only one of the witches is black - the impressive Moyo Akande - but it would have been better if they were all black. Joseph Millson as Macbeth just doesn't capture Macbeth's complex character of ruthless ambition restrained by imaginative intelligence. Banquo is too prominent and steals too much of the limelight - he comes over almost as a pantomime clown - and you are not convinced that he and Macbeth are buddies. Lady Macbeth is quite good but the Macbeths don't convince as a couple either. Duncan is played as a doddery old fool - which he isn't.

I was looking for a way to engage my class of fourteen year old girls in the Macbeth story. I didn't want to begin with something too modern nor something so stiff it reinforces their perception of 'oh no, Sahkespeare'. This filmed production had them engaged and laughing along with the audience. They loved being able to see the role of the audience in a Globe theatre production. The actors' deliveries clearly conveyed the ideas and moods in the scenes. The appearance of the porter through the trapdoor had them asking questions about stagecraft. Thoroughly worth the money spent, and for those of us who live too far away to visit the Globe, this is surely a good deal.

Absolutely brilliant! The company excels in the speaking of the verse, following the rhythms but introducing modern intonations and tone. The use of music and dance, the power of the set and the acting of every part were superb, making the characters live. for the first time I realised that we are presented with the internal anguish of people who have committed a murder, what that does to you, how it destroys you from inside. I loved everything about it.

Quality production - great to use as a teaching tool. Wish it wasn’t as expensive though.

Absolutely the best production of the play. I use it for teaching the text - with subtitles on, of course. Stunningly good.

In keeping with other Globe on Screen DVD's this approach makes it among the best staging of this play I have seen.Perhaps there might be quibbles about minor points but I have found all these dvd's of excellent value.I can only hope the Globe productions of DVD's continue, perhaps quicker.