Macbeth (2015 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Justin Kurzel (director), Todd Louiso, Jacob Koskoff, Michael Lesslie (screenwriters) |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom, France, United States |
| Products | Epic historical drama film |
| Parent | See-Saw Films, StudioCanal |
Macbeth is a 2015 epic film and historical drama helmed by director Justin Kurzel, featuring a screenplay crafted by Todd Louiso, Jacob Koskoff, and Michael Lesslie, based on the classic play by William Shakespeare. The movie stars Michael Fassbender in the role of Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, with supporting performances from Paddy Considine, Sean Harris, Jack Reynor, Elizabeth Debicki, and David Thewlis. It chronicles the rise of the Scottish nobleman after receiving a prophecy from three witches, delving into the catastrophic consequences of unrestrained political desire.
The film made its debut on 23 May 2015 at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it contended for the prestigious Palme d'Or. Distributed by StudioCanal, it premiered in cinemas on 2 October 2015 across the United Kingdom and later on 18 November 2015 in France. Critics lauded the compelling portrayals by Fassbender and Cotillard, alongside commendations for its cinematography, screenplay, direction, and battle scenes. Despite favorable critiques, the movie earned $16 million globally against a production budget estimated between $15 and $20 million.
Act I
The story begins with the Macbeths grieving at their child's funeral. Macbeth commands King Duncan’s army to triumph in a civil war conflict, although casualties include young soldiers. Three witches appear, accompanied by a girl and an infant, foretelling that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King, while Banquo’s descendants will inherit kingship; then they disappear.
Act II
Following Duncan’s execution of the treacherous Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth is bestowed that title. He reveals the prophecy to Lady Macbeth, who persuades him to murder Duncan to realize it. During a banquet where Duncan names Malcolm his successor, Lady Macbeth administers drugs to the servants. Macbeth, guided by visions of a boy soldier’s ghost and a dagger, assassinates Duncan. Malcolm flees upon discovering the murder. Macbeth hands the daggers to Lady Macbeth, who implicates the servants. They symbolically cleanse their hands in a church to rid themselves of guilt.
Act III
Macduff discovers Duncan’s corpse; Macbeth eliminates the servants to prevent their testimony. Macduff and Lennox express approval of Macbeth’s prompt action but grow suspicious after Malcolm’s escape. With Malcolm absent, Macbeth is crowned king but grows anxious over Banquo’s heirs as foretold. At a feast, learning Banquo plans to depart, Macbeth hires assassins who kill Banquo though Fleance escapes. Macbeth is haunted by Banquo’s ghost during the banquet, unsettling guests who leave. Lady Macbeth dismisses them and escorts Macbeth away.
Act IV
Macbeth returns to seek counsel from the witches; they caution him to beware Macduff and prophesy he will rule until Great Birnam Wood advances to Dunsinane Hill. The boy soldier’s ghost assures him no man born of woman can harm him. Lennox finds Macbeth wandering as Macduff has fled. Furious, Macbeth orders Macduff’s family burned alive while Lady Macbeth watches in anguish. Meanwhile, Macduff allies with Malcolm; upon learning from Ross and Angus about his family’s fate, he swears vengeance.
Act V
Tormented by guilt, Lady Macbeth visits a church lamenting their crimes and stained hands. She envisions her child’s ghost urging it to rest before wandering hills where she encounters the witches.
Within the castle, rumors spread of Macbeth’s madness and tyrannical rage. After hearing of his wife’s death, he delivers his renowned soliloquy beginning with "tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" (also known for "Out, out, brief candle!"), carrying her lifeless body in despair. Seyton informs him that Malcolm commands an army; Macbeth demands his armor.
Macduff sets fire to Birnam Wood; smoke signals the prophecy coming true. Confident since "no man born of woman" can kill him, Macbeth battles Macduff. He gains advantage until Macduff reveals he was delivered prematurely via cesarean. Resigned to fate, Macbeth drops his weapon. Though remorseful for his errors, he refuses to submit before Malcolm, provoking Macduff to slay him. The witches observe silently before departing. Malcolm is proclaimed King; Fleance takes possession of Macbeth’s sword and disappears into the smoke.
Cast
- Michael Fassbender portrays Macbeth
- Marion Cotillard takes on the role of Lady Macbeth
- Paddy Considine appears as Banquo
- Sean Harris plays Macduff
- Jack Reynor features as Malcolm
- Elizabeth Debicki acts as Lady Macduff
- David Thewlis embodies King Duncan
- David Hayman is cast as Lennox
- Maurice Roëves plays Menteith
- Brian Nickels performs as the Thane of Cawdor
- Ross Anderson appears as Rosse
- James Harkness portrays Angus
- Seylan Mhairi Baxter, Lynn Kennedy, Kayla Fallon, and Amber Rissmann represent the Witches
- Lochlann Harris acts as Fleance
- Hilton McRae takes on Macdonwald
- Scott Dymond appears as Seyton
- Rebecca Benson plays the Maidservant
- Gerard Miller is cast as Macbeth's messenger
- Roy Sampson performs the role of Doctor
Filming
The film was produced by See-Saw Films and distributed internationally by StudioCanal. Principal photography lasted seven weeks, commencing on 6 February 2014 in Scotland. Key shooting locations encompassed Hankley Common in Surrey, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland—where approximately 200 extras participated—Quiraing on Skye, and Ely Cathedral situated in Cambridgeshire.
Costumes
Costume design was overseen by Jacqueline Durran, who based her creations on Tilke, an encyclopaedia of traditional folk attire compiled during the 1920s by German ethnographer and artist Max Tilke.
Marketing
The first images from the production were unveiled on 18 April 2014, followed by two teaser posters released on 14 May. On 4 June 2015, StudioCanal debuted the initial trailer, which amassed over two million views. Character posters featuring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard were published on 27 August 2015. The Weinstein Company introduced the first North American trailer on 1 September 2015, with additional posters arriving on 4 September. In the Philippine market, the film was promoted under the title Macbeth: Warrior King.
Release
In October 2013, distribution rights were secured by The Weinstein Company. The film had its premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2015. It subsequently opened in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2015 and later in France on 18 November. In the United States, it saw a limited release beginning 4 December 2015 across five theaters located in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, before expanding on 11 December. Pioneer Films handled its release in the Philippines on 13 January 2016.
Critical reception
Macbeth garnered generally positive critical feedback. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 80% derived from 198 reviews, with an average score of 7.24 out of 10. The critical consensus emphasizes Justin Kurzel’s direction alongside Michael Fassbender’s compelling performance as standout elements. Meanwhile, Metacritic assigns a weighted score of 71 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
In a review for The New York Times, Manohla Dargis lauded Fassbender’s interpretation, highlighting his capacity to express Macbeth’s intricate torment and magnetic presence despite his moral decline.
Marion Cotillard also attracted praise, particularly for her rendition of the "Out damned spot" soliloquy. Guy Lodge of Variety characterized her portrayal as embodying both misdirected sensual allure and profound despair, noting her restrained yet impactful sleepwalking scene as nearly definitive.
Luke Buckmaster from The Daily Review awarded the film four stars out of five, applauding its audacity, production quality, and lead performances; however, he critiqued some aspects of diction and accentuation that somewhat hindered viewer engagement.
Accolades
| Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Independent Film Awards | Best British Independent Film | Template:Nom | |
| Best Director | Justin Kurzel | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actor | Michael Fassbender | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actress | Marion Cotillard | Template:Nom | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sean Harris | Template:Nom | |
| Best Technical Achievement | Adam Arkapaw | Template:Nom | |
| Cannes Film Festival | Palme d'Or | Justin Kurzel | Template:Nom |
| Empire Awards | Best British Film | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actor | Michael Fassbender | Template:Nom | |
| Goya Awards | Best European Film | Justin Kurzel | Template:Nom |
| Satellite Award | Best Art Direction and Production Design | Fiona Crombie | Template:Nom |
| Best Costume Design | Jacqueline Durran | Template:Nom |
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2015 films
- French historical films
- American historical drama films
- British historical drama films
- English-language French films
- 2015 war drama films
- 2010s historical drama films
- British war drama films
- Films about witchcraft
- Films based on Macbeth
- Films directed by Justin Kurzel
- Films set in castles
- Films set in medieval Scotland
- Films shot in Cambridgeshire
- Films shot in Scotland
- Films shot in Surrey
- Film4 Productions films
- 2015 drama films
- Films scored by Jed Kurzel
- 2010s English-language films
- 2010s American films
- 2010s British films
- 2010s French films
- StudioCanal films
- See-Saw Films films
- English-language historical drama films
- English-language war drama films