The tragedy of Macbeth
(DVD) 

Wide screen (2.35:1).

Originally produced as a motion picture in 1971.

Based on the play by William Shakespeare.

Title originates with just the word Macbeth, but then develops into "The tragedy of Macbeth."

Special features: Disc 1: Trailers. Disc 2: Toil and trouble : making Macbeth (new documentary about the making of the film, featuring interviews with director Roman Polanski, producer Andrew Braunsberg, assistant executive producer Victor Lownes, and stars Francesca Annis and Martin Shaw); Polanski meets Macbeth (a 1971 documentary by Frank Simon featuring rare footage of the film's cast and crew at work); Dick Cavett and Kenneth Tynan (segment from the May 7, 1971 episode of The Dick Cavett Show, Macbeth coscreenwriter Kenneth Tynan, a legendary English theater critic, writer, wit, and outspoken opponent of censorship in the arts, discusses the controversy surrounding his risqué musical play Oh! Calcutta!); Aquarius : "two Macbeths" (segment from London Weekend Television's Aquarius series, taped on January 27, 1972, and presented by Humphrey Burton, featuers director Roman Polanski and British theater director Peter Coe discussing Shakespeare, Macbeth, and their respective productions of the play). Insert features an essay by critic Terrence Rafferty, and also cast and production credits.

Director of photography, Gil Taylor ; production designer, Wilfrid Shingleton ; costume designer, Anthony Mendleson ; music by The Third Ear Band ; editor, Alistair McIntyre ; art director, Fred Carter ; fight director, William Hobbs ; choreographer, Sally Gilpin ; executive producer, Hugh M. Hefner.

Jon Finch, Francesca Annis, Martin Shaw, John Stride, Nicholas Selby, Terence Bayler, Stephan Chase, Paul Shelley, Noel Davis, Richard Pearson, Andrew Laurence, Bernard Archard, Sydney Bromley, Ian Hogg, Diane Fletcher, Bruce Purchase, Frank Wylie, Noelle Rimmington, Maisie MacFarquhar, Elsie Taylor, Keith Chegwin.

Roman Polanski imbues his unflinchingly violent adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy of ruthless ambition and murder in medieval Scotland with grit and dramatic intensity. Jon Finch and Francesca Annis star as a decorated warrior rising in the ranks and his driven wife, scheming together to take the throne by any means.

MPAA rating: R.

DVD, NTSC, region 1 ; widescreen (2.35:1) presentation ; Dolby Digital 3.0 surround.

In English with optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.