Macbeth (2010 film)

Macbeth is a 2010 television film based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. It was broadcast on BBC Four on 12 December 2010. In the United States, it aired on PBS' Great Performances. It was directed by Rupert Goold from his stage adaptation for the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2007. Patrick Stewart is featured in the title role, with Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth.

Premise
The film is a more modern re-imagining of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. It evokes the atmosphere of Romania in the 1960s, with parallels between Ceaușescu and Macbeth in their equally brutal quests for power. The Three Witches likewise receive an update in keeping with the 20th century aesthetics, appearing as hospital nurses. Their presence is pervasive throughout the film, punctuating the horror of Macbeth's murderous reign.

Cast
Principal cast:


 * Macbeth – Patrick Stewart
 * Lady Macbeth – Kate Fleetwood
 * Banquo – Martin Turner
 * Macduff – Michael Feast
 * Malcolm – Scott Handy
 * Donalbain – Ben Carpenter
 * Duncan / Doctor – Paul Shelley
 * Lady Macduff – Suzanne Burden
 * Lennox – Mark Rawlings
 * Ross – Tim Treloar
 * Angus – Bill Nash
 * Old Seyward / Murderer – Christopher Knott
 * The Porter – Christopher Patrick Nolan
 * Fleance – Bertie Gilbert

Production
The film was shot entirely on location at Welbeck Abbey.

Awards
Macbeth won a Peabody Award in 2010. In addition, Patrick Stewart was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries.