Shakespeare's "Macbeth" (1979 TV)- Act 4, scene 3 (part 1/2)

This 1979 production of Shakespeare has already been referenced at least once in this blog, due to Ian McKellen's role as Macbeth in the performance. This segment, however, does not feature him, but rather excellent interpretations of what I always considered two of the most moving scenes in the play. The simplicity of the set-up in this production has always captivated me, always having struck me as being more true to Shakespeare, where there was very little in the way of scenery other than the actors upon the stage. Simple too are the outfits, largely made of white and black, relatively modern but not jarringly so. The white dress in which Lady Macduff is clothed, as well as Prince Malcolm's sweater, seem to glow against the dark backdrop, emphasizing the purity and relative innocence of the individuals presented, at odds with most of the characters in this tragedy. The actors themselves are compelling, pulling interesting interpretations out of the text. The death of Macduff's son comes across as even more shocking when paired with the child's youth and the playful way in which his murderer handles him--the boy's proclamation that he is slain almost doesn't register, until he topples to the floor. Malcolm, on the other hand, is brilliantly played, desperate to "convince" Macduff of his own villainy, yet all the while betrayed to the audience by his earnest demeanor and, of course, the glow of his white sweater. There is far more to this production than Ian McKellen, and everyone in it deserves a close look.