Kino Lorber is adding a Macbeth Blu-ray to its impressive collection of Orson Welles-directed titles.
On June 11, a two-disc release of Macbeth joins The Stranger, The Lady from Shanghai and Touch of Evil in the KL catalog. The label also boasts a title that includes the Welles silent short The Hearts of Age and the Chuck Workman documentary Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles. His performance as an actor can be found on several other KL titles.
The upcoming Macbeth release utilizes 2022 high definition masters made by Paramount Pictures from 4K scans. The Macbeth set includes both the original 1948 107-minute cut, replete with affected highland accents, and the 1950 pared-down 85-minute re-release that removed much of the accented dialogue.
The Kino Lorber release has a new audio commentary by Tim Lucas, and retains many – but not all – the bonus material previously found on the Olive Signature Blu-ray of 2016. They are:
Audio commentary by Welles scholar Joseph McBride
“That Was Orson Welles” – 2016 interview with Welles’ close friend and co-author, Peter Bogdanovich
“Welles and Shakespeare” – 2016 interview with Welles expert, Professor Michael Anderegg
“Adapting Shakespeare on Film” – conversation with directors Carlo Carlei (Romeo & Juliet) and Billy Morrissette (Scotland, PA)
“Restoring Macbeth” – 2016 interview with former UCLA Film & Television Archive Preservation Officer Bob Gitt
“Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures”
The Macbeth Blu-ray carries a $29.95 suggested list price, but it available for pre-order now for $19.92 at kinolorber.com/product/macbeth-special-edition
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. 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.
__________
Post your comments on the Wellesnet Message Board.