Michael Neumann This self-conscious adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' updates the stage play to an urban crime setting, largely as a vehicle for John Turturro, who gives an atypically overwrought performance in the title role. The film arrived late in what was, at the time, a cycle of big screen gangster dramas, giving it an uncomfortable sense of redundancy even without the blatant similarities to 'The Godfather' (the character of Macbeth is here named Michael, not without coincidence). Writer director William Reilly makes no effort to camouflage the source material, adding nothing new to either the original play or its adapted genre. Even worse, the film has little discernible pace or rhythm: it just sits on the screen like a cheap wax replica of a priceless heirloom.

lisakoelewyn There are not too many really good movie versions of Macbeth, in fact I would say that there are no really good movie versions. As an English teacher, I would really like to show my students something that correctly captures the mental deterioration of the characters and accurately illustrates the violence and cruelty of Macbeth. This film is able to do that, unfortunately, due to the language, I will not be able to show it in class. But, I was pleased with this version of Macbeth. The acting is pretty good and the characters are believable mobsters. I wouldn't say that it tries too hard to follow the play; rather, I would give it credit for sticking to the play and modernizing it in a believable way. Overall, well done.

backstajbhs This is an awesome adaptation of a great play. I am a big fan of Turturro's company of players - they work as a true ensemble. The settings, the use of Uncle Will's language - everything works for me. I was introduced to the film by my father, who was doing research for a stage production he was appearing in as the Porter. I was particularly taken by the way the plot and characters played into the New York gangster genre. I I have used this film from time time when studying the Scottish play with my students and find that it actually helps them understand the original a bit better - I suppose they related to the more contemporary setting.

chinaskee The great thing about the words of Shakespeare is that you can move his works into different periods of history,make it work,and have great fun with it.Ethan Hawkes' rendition of "Hamlet" and Ian McKellan's "Richard III" come to mind as prime examples of great adaptations.This bloodbath,alas,is not.The main problem here is that hardly any of The Bard's words are left in this overwrought gangster film.To even infer,as in the opening credits,that this film is based on Macbeth is a crime in itself.This film is absolutely wretched.John Turturro has never been worse.In fact,there are a number of fine actors here who should have known better.But,I guess that's what you get for trying to mount a production of "Macbeth".The superstition regarding this play that all theater actors are well-versed in,must apply to attempting to put it on screen as well.This is probably the worst film I have seen in weeks.