Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Welles was passionate about Shakespearean tragedies. Shot in 23 days with little money and limited resources, he once again demonstrates that in addition to being a filmmaker, he is also a creator. There is respect for all the monologues in Shakespeare's work, but he tells them in a variety of ways, so as not to be confined to a possible theatrical apathy.
Every now and then, a film director manages to make us feel very powerful emotions and sensations simply through a skillful use of images, and it is on these rare occasions that the viewer experiences all the pleasure that the seventh art can conjure. In my case, these sensations are produced by a handful of creators, among whom Orson Welles stands out, notably. The films of this genius always possess a particular atmosphere, tailored to what he wants to convey in a story, and this makes them unique and unrepeatable.
I won't say anything about the plot of Macbeth; suffice it to say that it is a Shakespearean play, and as such, it brilliantly depicts such human emotions as ambition, envy, and revenge, in addition to creating sublime tormented villains. Welles effectively adapts the story, but his mark is reflected in its visual conception.
The atmosphere he employs is similar to that of a fairy tale or nightmare; night predominates over day, which, when it appears, is covered in clouds, with an unreal, ghostly light. The trees and rocks are bare and twisted, and the palace resembles a hellish cave, plagued by light and shadow, skillfully projected against the actors' faces. The composition of each shot, the continuous use of alternating angles, and the superb staging contribute to effectively conveying the play's theme.
As for the performances, Welles reserved the lead role, doing a remarkable job conveying Macbeth's clouded ambition and tormented conscience. Jeanette Nolan shines at her best, portraying a fabulous and hellish Lady Macbeth, on the verge of madness. The rest of the cast performs very well, with notable performances by Ross and the witches, whose scenes, although brief, are superb.
