"A Performance of Macbeth" (1979)

Conception (and sometimes version attributed to) Trevor Nunn
Director:  Philip Casson [The Royal Shakespeare Company Production]
Starring Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench


Performed with no set, dark/minimal lighting, minimal props, and in current/modern dress of the day (when it was filmed).  Even the costumes used are limited to the spectrum of white to black.  Almost done as theater-in-the-round.  Almost.

It is a performance that focuses on the acting of the lines, on the actor, as opposed to a grand staging of the story.  It strips the story to the core of the story itself--the words, and with this ensemble engages a group as a story teller of old would sit around the proverbial fire and spin a yarn to capture the ears of the listeners solely on the words of the story, the story itself, and the art of the storytelling.

This version captures well the growing crazy, increasing guilt, the change in character, and the change in relationship especially to each other of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  This Macbeth is played as truly gone mad (crazy).

This Macduff seems to despair more for his country.
Cut from the production:  The scene at the end where Siward hears of his son's death.

"Escape to Witch Mountain" (1975)

Rewatched this childhood favorite.  Thoroughly enjoyed it.

How come they don't make more movie plots like this?  I couldn't imagine anything better--little bit of humor, but not stupid comedy.  Characters unique and different--personable yet each has stuff they can or can't do, stuff they know about themselves, or are figuring out as they go.  Touch of imaginative sci-fi.  And the tone of the whole thing isn't dark and depressing.  No murderous alien races or world stomping terrorist groups.  In fact, no one gets hurt--not even the "bad guys".  Simple plot, just a touch of mystery without being too complicated; yet, enough complexity of dialogue and background to avoid being shallow.

How come they don't make more movies like this?