Which Macbeth on DVD for GCSE student?

[MidnightAtTheOasis]

As per title really. Which production, in your opinion, offers the best combination of impact, entertainment, fidelity to the text and price?

Not answering your question, but I used to volunteer in a secondary school library that had DVDs as well as books. Head of English used to say that she preferred students to watch as many different versions as possible, as it would help students think about different interpretations.

I'd get together with other parents pool your money and get a lending library going, so they see more than one

I've seen several versions over the years, there is a DVD available of the RSC's 2018 production with Christopher Ecclestone and Niamh Cusack. Kenneth Brannagh did a version of Macbeth that was live screened, it received rave reviews but I don't know if it is on DVD.

I enjoyed the version with Michael Fassbender, some of the other versions I have seen don't seem to be available on DVD but I agree with Leeds2 seeing different versions is a good idea. Also, see if you can see any live productions, there are usually some excellent amateur productions one I saw a few years ago lives on in my memory for being so atmospheric.

We saw the Ecclestone version last year at the Barbican; it was excellent in its own quirky way, but it would be useful to have another one to watch over the summer

The Kenneth Branagh one from the Gorton Monastery was excellent.

I got dh to watch this version before we went to see Alan Cummings do it solo. I had studied it at school, but it was new to dh.

I still use Roman Polanski's version from about a hundred years ago; I think I watched it when I was at school 😂

English teacher here...film wise Polanski's is unbeatable. There's "Macbeth on the Estate", on YouTube set in contemporary council estate in Birmingham. BBC's version with Judi Dench as LM. The animated version ( YouTube) is a good introduction . Watch as many as possible.

The Kenneth Branagh/Alex Kingston one was excellent, if that's available on DVD.

And for light relief they can read Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

I loved the 2015 film version with Michael Fassbender as Macbeth. It felt very gritty. I thought it was a really visceral version and it brought the play alive for me.

I'm also an English teacher. I second the recommendation of Macbeth on The Estate, but also watch the Polanski version.

I also highly recommend Thug Notes on youtube- brilliant summaries and analysis.

The Polanski version is the one I saw at school too and, yes, I remember it well and thought it was excellent. Also recall it stayed very true to the actual play.

Thanks all. Finch and Annis it is for now (and Wyrd Sisters). Has the added advantage of being very cheap.

I was going to to say the Polanski one too. I saw that just before sitting my English exam.

Came to say Macbeth on the estate but see that's already been recommended. I did Macbeth for GCSE many years ago and we watched 3 versions I think but the one my friends and I all remember even now is Macbeth on the estate...

If you can get hold of it then the RSC Ian McKellen / Judi Dench one is an excellent theatrical option. Very stripped back with superb performance of the verse (as you might expect).

The Fassbender one was great, I thought it got to the heart of the relationship between the Macbeths plus had enough “box office” battles etc to make it entertaining and engage the viewer. And I remember the witches in the Polanski one today, even though I saw it 30 + years ago.

I went to the RSC to see the Christopher Ecclestone version a couple of years ago and was pretty underwhelmed. However it was mostly because I thought he underplayed the role and was too nuanced so it was hard to get his performance if you were more than a few rows back. Basically he gave a beautiful and brilliant screen performance but unfortunately was in a theatre. It may come across much better in a filmed version plus he was Dr Who so that is a hook for a 14-16 year old audience.

If you want the Mckellen / Dench version it might be worth trying the RSC shop as they have all sorts of versions of all Shakespeare’s plays. I got McKellen’s Richard III from the 80s there not too long ago, having looked for it for years.

The 2013 Globe version is on their on demand service, think you can rent them for about £5 if you're wanting to add in another version.

What do you mean by “He was Doctor Who”? I don’t remember Mr Eccleston playing that role, and nor does he.

I completely agree with you otherwise though. I loved the production but Eccleston wasn’t big enough for the stage. He might be better on a filmed version.

Christopher Eccleston was the first Dr Who when the show was revived. You can see him on Netflix.

He was my favourite Dr Who.

But not my favourite Macbeth.

Roman Polanski