Comparing Three Video Versions Of Macbeth, Act One Scene Seven

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Comparing Three Video Versions of Macbeth, Act One Scene Seven

The first video version that I am observing, out of the three versions, is a production starring John Gordon Sinclair as Macbeth and Louise Lombard as Lady Macbeth. This video appears to be modern for the time in which the story is set. The second video production I am looking at is a production by the BBC. It was created to celebrate the anniversary of William Shakespeare. It stars Nicol Williamson as Macbeth and Jane Lapotaire as Lady Macbeth. The purpose of the video was purely to create a video version of the whole of Shakespeare's play. The third video production I would be looking at has John Finch acting as Macbeth and Francessca …show more content…

This may be used to represent the chilling agreement to go ahead with the murder of Duncan.

In the BBC version, almost all of the lighting is concentrated on Macbeth's face. This may be to help show the language used by Macbeth, and the facial expressions and emotions that come with the speech. It is very open lighting and is mainly shadows even when Lady Macbeth enters. A dungeon effect is given. Upon Lady Macbeth's entrance the light is still focused on Macbeth and his language. This is definitely very plain and even boring compared to the modern version of the video, there is no variation in lighting. It shows no flashes of light or uses any unusual lighting whereas the first version does. It is, overall, the dullest version of the Macbeth video, in the choice of lighting.

The Polanski version of the video consists of a huge variation in the chosen lighting. There is the bright, colourful, interior of the banquet and then are external shots of the castle that are very dark. This contrast is expected in this version of the video for it is designed to be a feature film, so there are enhancements to …show more content…

In the BBC version the sound is very quiet. There is some introductory sound from the banquet which helps set the scene. The first version has noise from the banquet all through the speech even if it is only laughter and sound effects. When Macbeth is contemplating what he is going to do, he speaks in whispers not in words like the modern version. This may be due to the fact that he is talking to himself. When Lady Macbeth enters there is a loud, sharp sound which is used to symbolise that Macbeth has been interrupted and disturbed. Macbeth's speech volume increases when he is speaking with Lady Macbeth. Small amounts of background noise can be heard after Lady Macbeth enters but these are low in volume compared to the speech. This is another example of how this version of Macbeth focuses mainly on the play, without trying to enhance it. In this version the sound is quite plain, overall.

Immediately there is background music in Palinski's version. Toward the end it goes louder due to the banquet. The music is standard celebration music expected of the time period; there is also the

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