Jon Finch and Martin Shaw in Macbeth (1971)

Watch: Roman Polanski Talks Making 'Macbeth,' Shakespeare Adaptations & More In Criterion Collection Feature

“If you take material and filter it through me like a sieve, it’s gonna vaguely have my shape. I can’t hide that ‘signature’ any more than I can create it. It’s something that occurs. It’s DNA.” Robert Altman on the topic of directors subconsciously leaving their personal imprint on a film. When Roman Polanski’s controversial film adaptation of Macbeth, William Shakespeare’s famously “unlucky” play (theater superstition has it that the play is cursed), flopped unceremoniously at the…

Jon Finch Polanski's Macbeth

"Besides, this Duncan, Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off;" (1.7.16-20). Macbeth is stating that Duncan is a loyal king and does not deserve to die. Duncan has not done anything wrong and Macbeth is unsure if he should kill Duncan or not. This picture is right before Macbeth kills Duncan and it looks like he is still unsure about killing him.

Francesca Annis. Macbeth 1971