Joe Macbeth (1955)
Country: GB
Technical: bw 90m
Director: Ken Hughes
Cast: Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman
Synopsis:
Shakespeare's tragedy is updated and transposed to the criminal underworld.
Review:
What a great idea! Hoodlum deposes mob leader, then ultimately gets his. Okay, but while enjoying its modernisation of the trappings (the best part being the hero's 'MAC'-embossed dressing gown) this rash enterprise forgets one vital ingredient: Shakespeare's characters were nobility, hence the tragedy. Macbeth was a good man at first, and even at the end retains a defiance of spirit which elicits admiration; Joe is a rat and dies like one. Douglas isn't quite up to the job either.
Country: GB
Technical: bw 90m
Director: Ken Hughes
Cast: Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman
Synopsis:
Shakespeare's tragedy is updated and transposed to the criminal underworld.
Review:
What a great idea! Hoodlum deposes mob leader, then ultimately gets his. Okay, but while enjoying its modernisation of the trappings (the best part being the hero's 'MAC'-embossed dressing gown) this rash enterprise forgets one vital ingredient: Shakespeare's characters were nobility, hence the tragedy. Macbeth was a good man at first, and even at the end retains a defiance of spirit which elicits admiration; Joe is a rat and dies like one. Douglas isn't quite up to the job either.
Country: GB
Technical: bw 90m
Director: Ken Hughes
Cast: Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman
Synopsis:
Shakespeare's tragedy is updated and transposed to the criminal underworld.
Review:
What a great idea! Hoodlum deposes mob leader, then ultimately gets his. Okay, but while enjoying its modernisation of the trappings (the best part being the hero's 'MAC'-embossed dressing gown) this rash enterprise forgets one vital ingredient: Shakespeare's characters were nobility, hence the tragedy. Macbeth was a good man at first, and even at the end retains a defiance of spirit which elicits admiration; Joe is a rat and dies like one. Douglas isn't quite up to the job either.