There's an automatic problem inherent with watching an updated version of any famous Shakespearean play--a huge percentage of the audience knows how the story will go. So, in the case of "Joe MacBeth", I knew pretty much where the movie was going at all times--though a few times it was cute seeing the updated characters (such as the fortune teller instead of Hecate the witch). But it's still a very hard sell, as there just aren't that many surprises. But such an updated version IS possible--as Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" was one of his best films even though, it too, was based on "Macbeth".
The film begins in 1950s America. Paul Douglas plays the title character--the number two man in the mob. However, his brand-new wife (Ruth Roman) isn't at all happy with the wealth and power and she constantly manipulates and nags Joe to want more. Eventually, her hand leads to Joe killing the boss--but like the Shakespearean tale, you KNOW that Joe won't survive for long because of his infamy.
The best thing about this film is Ruth Roman as Mrs. MacBeth. Much of it is because she was the most interesting character in the play and much is because she did a very nice job of playing a cold-hearted lady spider! And, the second best thing (in my opinion) is that it's NOT the traditional Macbeth with its Tudor/Stewart language! While not a brilliant film, it is clever and a nice reworking of the story--and I loved the gangster lingo. It also had a dynamite ending--and I loved the butler! But in my opinion, it still doesn't even come close to "Throne of Blood" in quality.
By the way, the real life MacBeth was NOT a such a bad guy and Shakespeare pretty much screwed up the story. If you want to find out more, look for the name 'Mac Bethad mac Findlaích'--that's the non-Anglicized version of his real name.
The film begins in 1950s America. Paul Douglas plays the title character--the number two man in the mob. However, his brand-new wife (Ruth Roman) isn't at all happy with the wealth and power and she constantly manipulates and nags Joe to want more. Eventually, her hand leads to Joe killing the boss--but like the Shakespearean tale, you KNOW that Joe won't survive for long because of his infamy.
The best thing about this film is Ruth Roman as Mrs. MacBeth. Much of it is because she was the most interesting character in the play and much is because she did a very nice job of playing a cold-hearted lady spider! And, the second best thing (in my opinion) is that it's NOT the traditional Macbeth with its Tudor/Stewart language! While not a brilliant film, it is clever and a nice reworking of the story--and I loved the gangster lingo. It also had a dynamite ending--and I loved the butler! But in my opinion, it still doesn't even come close to "Throne of Blood" in quality.
By the way, the real life MacBeth was NOT a such a bad guy and Shakespeare pretty much screwed up the story. If you want to find out more, look for the name 'Mac Bethad mac Findlaích'--that's the non-Anglicized version of his real name.