IMDb > Macbeth (1948)
Macbeth
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 42 | slideshow)
IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   1,920 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Orson Welles
Writer:
William Shakespeare (play)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Macbeth on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 June 1950 (France) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Entertainment Greatness . . . That Only Motion Picture Magic Can Bring !
Plot:
In fog-dripping, barren and sometimes macabre settings, 11th-century Scottish nobleman Macbeth is led... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Dark and Deep more (28 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Orson Welles ... Macbeth
Jeanette Nolan ... Lady Macbeth
Dan O'Herlihy ... Macduff

Roddy McDowall ... Malcolm
Edgar Barrier ... Banquo
Alan Napier ... A Holy Father
Erskine Sanford ... Duncan
John Dierkes ... Ross
Keene Curtis ... Lennox
Peggy Webber ... Lady Macduff / The Three
Lionel Braham ... Siward
Archie Heugly ... Young Siward
Jerry Farber ... Fleance
Christopher Welles ... Macduff Child
Morgan Farley ... Doctor
Lurene Tuttle ... Gentlewoman / The Three
Brainerd Duffield ... First Murderer / The Three
William Alland ... Second Murderer
George Chirello ... Seyton
Gus Schilling ... A Porter
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Orson Welles 
 
Writing credits
William Shakespeare (play)

Orson Welles (adaptation) uncredited

Produced by
Orson Welles .... producer
Richard Wilson .... associate producer
Charles K. Feldman .... executive producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Jacques Ibert 
 
Cinematography by
John L. Russell (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Louis Lindsay 
 
Art Direction by
Fred A. Ritter  (as Fred Ritter)
 
Set Decoration by
John McCarthy Jr. 
James Redd 
 
Costume Design by
Adele Palmer (costumes: women)
Fred Ritter (costumes: men) (uncredited)
Orson Welles (uncredited)
 
Makeup Department
Peggy Gray .... hair stylist
Bob Mark .... makeup supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Lacey .... assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Dan O'Herlihy .... set designer (uncredited)
Orson Welles .... set designer (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Garry A. Harris .... sound (as Garry Harris)
John Stransky Jr. .... sound
 
Special Effects by
Howard Lydecker .... special effects
Theodore Lydecker .... special effects
 
Camera and Electrical Department
William Bradford .... photography: second unit
Nels Mathias .... grip (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Efrem Kurtz .... conductor
 
Other crew
William Alland .... dialogue director
Charles K. Feldman .... presenter
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial Effects
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
89 min (cut version) | Germany:92 min | USA:107 min (premiere version) | USA:107 min (restored video version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Brazil:14 | Belgium:16 (Enfants Non Admis) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved | West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA
Company:
Mercury Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Orson Welles had planned to take his company and put on the play at the Utah Centennial Festival in Salt Lake city. With costumes and props at his disposal, Welles rehearsed his company and shot this film in 21 days. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Duncan and his men renew their baptismal vows with a prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1884. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
The Three Witches: Double,double,toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Back to School (1986) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
16 out of 18 people found the following comment useful.
Dark and Deep, 15 April 2001
8/10
Author: guyon69 from Chicago

No one will claim that Welles' adaptation is the most accurate or best (see Roman Polansky's for a truer Macbeth) and at some points the bombast of Welles and his supporting cast, especially Lady Macbeth, can be a little overwhelming. However, for sheer mood and feel, I prefer this Macbeth over all the others out there. The darkness and dampness that close in on Welles as the movie progresses is claustrophobic and really gives a gritty appeal to this film. A great example of b&w film used to its fullest potential.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (28 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Macbeth (1948)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Those crowns.... Marius-Creb
Two versions? cens0red
Masterful SurrenderToto
I need help on a Macbeth project. Please look. movielover26
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Tragedy of Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Hamlet Macbeth
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.