Movie Review of Macbeth
Rationale
This written task 1 is linked to part 3 of the IB English course, Literature- texts and contexts. I have chosen to write a positive movie review of the 2010 television version of Macbeth, produced by Rupert Goold with Patrick Stewart in the title role and Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth. My purpose is to illustrate how this version of Macbeth, even though it is set in modern times and it is not always loyal to Shakespeare’s work, is still able to enhance the main themes and portray the characters with the same traits. I chose to write a movie review as I thought it would be interesting to analyze the differences between the text and one of the movie versions. In particular, I wanted to focus on how Goold, the producer, was able to set the play during the Cold War period and still be able to make his characters as close as possible to the ones from Shakespeare’s work. The tone is formal. The intended audience does not just includes anyone who is about to or has already seen the movie, but also anyone familiar with the original literary work. The author of the review is writing on the Rotten Tomatoes, a website dedicated to writing reviews.
Word count: 209
The movie, Macbeth, directed by Rupert Goold is a movie worth viewing as it provides the viewers, who are already familiar with the play, with an interesting and unique modern-day version. Even though the director takes the liberty to make some changes, some more evident than others, the movie clearly illustrates that Shakespeare’s work and its universal themes will always appeal to readers and viewers.
First of all, Goold moves the setting from Scotland in the medieval times to the extravagant Scotland during the Cold War. The shocking change of setting is, however, alleviated by Sir Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood’s superb and skillful acting. It is because of them that the movie is so believable, even though it takes place in modern times. Moreover, the vivid and gripping portrayal of
This written task 1 is linked to part 3 of the IB English course, Literature- texts and contexts. I have chosen to write a positive movie review of the 2010 television version of Macbeth, produced by Rupert Goold with Patrick Stewart in the title role and Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth. My purpose is to illustrate how this version of Macbeth, even though it is set in modern times and it is not always loyal to Shakespeare’s work, is still able to enhance the main themes and portray the characters with the same traits. I chose to write a movie review as I thought it would be interesting to analyze the differences between the text and one of the movie versions. In particular, I wanted to focus on how Goold, the producer, was able to set the play during the Cold War period and still be able to make his characters as close as possible to the ones from Shakespeare’s work. The tone is formal. The intended audience does not just includes anyone who is about to or has already seen the movie, but also anyone familiar with the original literary work. The author of the review is writing on the Rotten Tomatoes, a website dedicated to writing reviews.
Word count: 209
The movie, Macbeth, directed by Rupert Goold is a movie worth viewing as it provides the viewers, who are already familiar with the play, with an interesting and unique modern-day version. Even though the director takes the liberty to make some changes, some more evident than others, the movie clearly illustrates that Shakespeare’s work and its universal themes will always appeal to readers and viewers.
First of all, Goold moves the setting from Scotland in the medieval times to the extravagant Scotland during the Cold War. The shocking change of setting is, however, alleviated by Sir Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood’s superb and skillful acting. It is because of them that the movie is so believable, even though it takes place in modern times. Moreover, the vivid and gripping portrayal of