Macbeth (1971): Cast & Plot
Macbeth is a 1971 war drama directed by Roman Polanski, starring Jon Finch as Macbeth, Ian Hogg and Geoffrey Reed. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 21m (141 min)
- Director
- Roman Polanski
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Caliban Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Macbeth About?
The premise of Macbeth without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in 11th‑century Scotland, Macbeth, a war‑lord praised for his bravery, is spurred by a prophecy delivered by three witches and the relentless ambition of his wife. Overcome by doubt, he murders his sovereign and betrays comrades, plunging into a ruthless cycle of bloodshed, crime and suspicion.
Macbeth Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 11th century
- based on play
- murder
- guilt
- shakespeare play
- prophecy
- boy frontal nudity
- boy taking a bath
- king
- washing blood off hands
- warrior
- villainess
+38 more Show fewer
- witchcraft
- somnambulism
- prediction
- ambition
- nudity
- scotland
- regicide
- witch
- decapitation
- ghost
- witches' brew
- shakespeare's macbeth
- castle
- medieval times
- queen
- female frontal nudity
- nihilism
- pessimism
- misanthropy
- hanging
- cold and wet
- public execution
- bound in chains
- rain
- murder of a child
- soldier
- nude young male
- female full frontal nudity
- armour
- wife
- tragedy drama
- obsessive
- obsessive compulsive
- avarice
- spirit
- briton
- parent
- ruthlessness
Macbeth Cast & Characters
Jon Finch leads the cast as Macbeth, with Ian Hogg as First Thane and Geoffrey Reed as Second Thane. Directed by Roman Polanski; 35 actors are credited in all.
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Director Roman Polanski
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Jon Finch as Macbeth - Ian Hogg as First Thane
- Geoffrey Reed as Second Thane
- Nigel Ashton as Third Thane
Also Starring in Macbeth
· 31 more- Vic Abbott Cawdor
- Martin Shaw Banquo
- Nicholas Selby Duncan
- Francesca Annis Lady Macbeth
- Stephan Chase Malcolm
- Paul Shelley Donalbain
- John Stride Ross
- Terence Bayler Macduff
- Keith Chegwin Fleance
- Diane Fletcher Lady Macduff
- Alf Joint Old Seyward
- Michael Balfour First Murderer
- Howard Lang Old Soldier (uncredited)
- Richard Pearson Doctor
- Bernard Archard Angus
- Sydney Bromley Porter
Show all 35 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Bruce Purchase Caithness
- Noel Davis Seyton
- Christine Paul-Podlasky Dancer
- Andrew McCulloch Second Murderer
- Frank Wylie Menteith
- Andrew Laurence Lennox
- William Hobbs Young Seyward
- Patricia Mason Gentlewoman
- Mark Dightam Macduff's Son
- Bill Drysdale King's Groom #1
- Noelle Rimmington Third Witch
- Maisie MacFarquhar First Witch
- Elsie Taylor Second Witch
- Roy Jones King's Groom #2
- Paul Hennen Doctor's Apprentice
More from Roman Polanski
More films directed by Roman Polanski, best-rated first: Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown, The Pianist and Tess.
Macbeth Plot Summary
What happens in Macbeth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the Middle Ages, a bold Norwegian and Irish invasion of Scotland, aided by the treacherous Thane of Cawdor, is silenced by two noble soldiers who share a crave for power. Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, and Banquo find themselves at the heart of a prophecy when they encounter the enigmatic Three Witches, who foretell a dramatic rise in Macbeth’s fortunes and a future for Banquo that is “lesser and greater.” At the site of this fateful encounter, Macbeth and Banquo are left to grapple with what the future might hold, and the news of Cawdor’s execution arrives just as Macbeth is named the new Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan. The revelation overwhelms him with both awe and fear, setting in motion a dangerous chain of decisions.
Full summary
The whole story of Macbeth, scene by scene
Macbeth Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Toil and Trouble: Making “Macbeth”
How Well Do You Know Macbeth?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What title does Macbeth hold at the beginning of the story?
Seen Macbeth?
Movies Like Macbeth
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Macbeth, Macbeth and Macbeth.
Macbeth FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Macbeth, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Macbeth?
Macbeth runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).
When was Macbeth released?
Macbeth was released on December 1, 1971.
Who directed Macbeth?
Macbeth was directed by Roman Polanski.
More films by Roman Polanski Who is in the cast of Macbeth?
Macbeth stars Jon Finch as Macbeth, Ian Hogg as First Thane and Geoffrey Reed as Second Thane, among 35 credited actors.
Does Macbeth have a post-credit scene?
No. Macbeth has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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