Justin Kurzel’s crunching adaptation of Macbeth kicks off with a big battle in the mist and just gets more brutal and unsparing from there. The Bard’s great story of ambition, superstition and moorland crones dispensing bad advice has had the big-screen treatment before – even the great Orson Welles turned his camera to it – but visually, this one has a scale hitherto unseen. The desolate Scottish landscape, as this still from the opening clash of clans hints, is a haunting backdrop to all the political shenanigans behind the throne.
This first new still from the film (above) sees Michael Fassbender's Thane of Glamis - still two 'promotions' from assuming the throne - leaning into the battle on behalf of David Thewlis' King Duncan as the royalists and rebels do battle.
Above, suitably troubled, is Paddy Considine as Banquo, Macbeth's loyal but increasingly dubious ally. Banquo witnesses the prince's post-battle meeting with the three witches, hears their prophecies for him and slowly digests their implications. The man he's faithfully followed will be driven on by a sense of personal destiny, in the spirit of some of the world's most dubious leaders, and an equally ambitious wife (Marion Cotillard, and tragedy will unfold.
Kurzel's film isn't arch or laden with modern parallels like some Shakespeare adaptations, but you don't have to be Donald Trump's PR person to spot modern parallels in this depiction of crazed ambition. Catch Macbeth in cinemas on October 2 or pick up the new issue of Empire for more from the set.
from Empire News
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