Dark, brooding, violent and visually arresting adaptation of the Scottish Play. Polanski's direction is masterful, conjuring up a highly authentic medieval Scotland and presenting the Bard's words in a naturalistic manner that removes overt staginess and even makes the "screenplay" conversational at times. There is a feeling of real psychological depth with hints of Polanski's ghetto home being ransacked by the Nazi's and the notorious Manson murders all bleeding into the story. The acting is first class; Jon Finch as MacBeth is hugely impressive, with Francesca Annis as his Lady and Martin Shaw as Banquo also giving strong performances. One of the most impressive Shakespeare films, which is all the more incongruous given the Hugh Heffner and Playboy production credits. ( )