Olive Films is at work on a new home video release of Macbeth, which will go beyond the bare bones package it released in four years ago.
In a series of Facebook posts, noted film scholars Joseph McBride and Jonathan Rosenbaum revealed they have contributed to an expanded Macbeth release. McBride recorded an audio commentary, while Rosenbaum said he has written an essay for the release, which will include both edits of the film.
Macbeth was an attempt by Welles to make classics on a small budget, hoping that if the picture was a success, he would be allowed to do similar projects. The film, shot in just 23 days on a shoestring budget, was unfairly compared to Laurence Olivier’s big budget Hamlet upon its release in 1948 and attacked by critics. Two years later, Republic had Welles cut two reels and re-record the soundtrack with the actors speaking in their natural voices, and not the approximation of Scottish accents that Welles initially requested.
The 2012 Olive Films DVD and Blu-ray release utilized the longer, 107-minute “Scottish” edit.
Olive Films would not confirm or deny the planned release, citing its policy of not commenting on unannounced releases.
__________
Post your comments on the Wellesnet Message Board.