Macbeth (2010 film)

Macbeth is a 2010 television film based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. It was broadcast on BBC Four on 12 December 2010. In the United States, it aired on PBS' Great Performances. It was directed by Rupert Goold from his stage adaptation for the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2007. Patrick Stewart is featured in the title role, with Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth
DVD cover
Written by	William Shakespeare (original play)
Directed by	Rupert Goold
Starring	Patrick Stewart Kate Fleetwood
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Mark Bell David Horn
Producers	Sebastian Grant John Wyver
Cinematography	Sam McCurdy
Editor	Trevor Waite
Running time	160 minutes
Production company	Illuminations Television Ltd.
Original release
Network	BBC Four
Release	12 December 2010 (2010-12-12)

Premise

The film is a more modern re-imagining of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. It evokes the atmosphere of Romania in the 1960s, with parallels between Ceaușescu and Macbeth in their equally brutal quests for power. The Three Witches likewise receive an update in keeping with the 20th century aesthetics, appearing as hospital nurses. Their presence is pervasive throughout the film, punctuating the horror of Macbeth's murderous reign.

Cast

Principal cast:^[1]

• Macbeth – Patrick Stewart
• Lady Macbeth – Kate Fleetwood
• Banquo – Martin Turner
• Macduff – Michael Feast
• Malcolm – Scott Handy
• Donalbain – Ben Carpenter
• Duncan / Doctor – Paul Shelley
• Lady Macduff – Suzanne Burden
• Lennox – Mark Rawlings
• Ross – Tim Treloar
• Angus – Bill Nash
• Old Seyward / Murderer – Christopher Knott
• The Porter – Christopher Patrick Nolan
• Fleance – Bertie Gilbert

Production

The film was shot entirely on location at Welbeck Abbey.

Awards

Patrick Stewart at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards

Macbeth won a Peabody Award in 2010.^[2] In addition, Patrick Stewart was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries.