A Modern Take but still with enough originality to make it work

Rating: 7/10 (18 February 2016)

Michael Fassbender plays the mentally deteriorating Thane of Glamis, who is told by three witches that his destiny lies in becoming the Scottish King, in Shakespeare's classic play of corruption, greed and blood letting. Marion Cotillard plays his wife the Lady Macbeth in a role where she puts in a fair amount of passion.
This is directed by the extremely talented – and original – Justin Kurzel – who brought us 'The Snowtown Murders'. The battle scenes are a work of art and the themes of stylish horror (almost) are kept going through out the film. The plays real strengths though are the verse in which it is delivered and so Shakespeare purists will not be pleased with some of the treatment seeing 'The Bard' as sacred. I was only let down by the whispered lines that I had to strain to hear. The acting though was all excellent and almost painful to watch– which is the point here.
It is though not 'easy watching' and requires full commitment. This could have been better but it is still an endeavour worth praise and it is worth a viewing if only for the great acting and the stunning cinematography.