One of the clearest examples of art born out of personal tragedy, Roman Polanski mounted a dark and violent version of Macbeth to work through the senseless murder of his wife and unborn child. The violence is shocking and confrontational from the outset, and you could argue for this film’s inclusion when Julie Taymor’s equally bloody 1999 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus will not be appearing. That is because Macbeth has witches, ghosts, haunting visions and a tone of constant death. (The scene where Banquo’s ghost arrives at the banquet looks like it inspired Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead films.) Also, the arc of Macbeth and his wife is that of an emotionless serial killer. Our lead starts out fueled by ambition and becomes the most dangerous and detestable character in the story.
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