Voodoo Macbeth (2021) - full transcript

(projector clicks, whirs)

(jazz music)

(jazzy trumpet playing)

(soft chatter)

ROSE:
Come, you spirits.

Unsex me here

and fill me from the crown
to the toe top

full of direst cruelty!

Make thick my blood,
that my keen knife

see not
the wound it makes.

We've been through this, Rose.



It's too expensive.

We need money
for an entire season.

If our first play fails,
so does the whole unit.

But if it succeeds.

I want you to meet someone.

Our Scottish king.

Juano Hernandez.

Watch us work.

If you don't like it,
I'll never mention it again.

What? Art thou afeard

to be the same
in thine own act and valor

-as thou art in desire?
-Prithee, peace!

I dare do all
that may become a man.

When you durst do it,
then you were a man.



I have given suck

and know how tender 'tis
to love the babe that milks me.

I would, while it was
smiling in my face,

have pluck'd my nipple
from his boneless gums

and dash'd the brains out,
had I so sworn

-as you have done.
-If we should fail...

Screw your courage
to the sticking-place,

and we'll not fail.

(sighing)

Who would direct?

I was wondering, maybe--

No, Rose.

You know this can't be
a personal vanity project.

You have someone in mind?

ORSON WELLES:
Hold-Fast Hairspray's formula

for robust staying power
is unparalleled

in the hair care industry.

Hold-Fast Hairspray.

In moisture and heat,
Hold-Fast won't skip a beat.

"In" moisture and heat,

Orson, can you please
emphasize the word "in,"

-just like I asked?
-For Christ's sake,

there's no universe in which
the word "in" is emphasized

at the beginning of
a respectable English sentence.

Wait, let me explain
something to you.

-Money, talent.
-Please, George.

From the depths
of your ignorance,

please explain.

-(receiver dings)
-John!

Come in.

-Orson.
-(laughing)

Mm!

How the hell are you?

In hell,
as a matter of fact.

-So it is possible.
-I beg your pardon?

To emphasize "in"

at the beginning of a sentence.

From time to time,
directors need

a swift kick in the ass.

Orson Welles,
meet Rose McClendon.

I saw you in Mulatto
at The Vanderbilt.

Oh, you were captivating.

To what do we owe
the pleasure?

We are mounting a play.

What's the role?

Actually, Orson...

we... want you to direct.

The Scottish play.

In Harlem.

For the Negro Theater Unit.

I'll be Lady M.

And who, pray tell,
will be seeing this play?

Last time I checked,
the average Harlemite isn't

curled up on his couch,
reading Faustus.

When did you last chat
with the average Harlemite,

Mr. Welles?

How many directors
turned you down

before you came to me?

JOHN:
You were our first choice.

John, I'm an actor.

ROSE:
Mr. Welles,

this production is
more important

than you can imagine
for Negro theater,

for Harlem.

It's risky.

But you do love
to take risks, don't you?

Your Romeo was the boldest

and best I've seen.

It closed after
three performances.

Always a pleasure, John.

Once more into
the breach, George!

Arrogant, petulant child.

-Yeah.
-How old is he, exactly?

Twenty, I think.

But he might just
be a genius.

Well, your boy genius
rejected us.

(sighing)

Good evening, Mr. Welles.

-Good evening, Maurice.
-Payday?

Not nearly enough
for the utter incompetence

-I have to endure.
-(laughing)

(keys jingling)

We have a date.

I couldn't leave
this chair if I tried.

Well, surely there's
something we can do that

will motivate you.

-Hmm...
-(laughing)

Houseman came
to the studio today.

With that actress.
Rose McClendon.

And what did they want?

They wanted me to direct

the Negro Theater Unit's
production of the Scottish play.

-Macbeth?
-Shh!

Oh, that silly superstition.

-When do you start?
-I don't.

-I turned them down.
-What?

If I'm going to direct,
it needs to be something that

-will put me on the map.
-A white man

doing Negro Shakespeare
won't do that?

You would be
the talk of the town.

Or would you rather
keep wasting your talent

spouting mindless radio ads?

(laughing)

Where are you going?

We are going out.

♪ You will hear me say ♪

♪ Baby, won't you
please come home? ♪

(trumpet solo)

Two gin rickeys, please.

♪ Every hour
in the day ♪

-Incredible, huh?
-♪ You will hear me say ♪

♪ Baby, won't you
please come home? ♪♪

EMCEE:
Miss Edna Thomas, everyone!

(applause)

Thank you.

Edna! Miss Thomas?

Hello.

My name is
Virginia Welles.

This is my husband Orson.

Nice to meet you.

Edna, have you ever
done theater?

Uh, why, no, I only just
started singing professionally.

My husband is
directing a play.

I'm actually not.

Why don't you come audition?

I'm sorry, which play?

-Shakespeare.
-(coughing)

It... begins with an "M,"

I hate to speak in riddles,

but the name is
supposedly cursed,

and my husband is
terribly superstitious.

As I said,
I've never acted.

Well, it's the ultimate tragedy.

Murder, betrayal, revenge.

It would be a great way

to showcase your beauty
and your talent.

-What do you say?
-Excuse me.

I have to get backstage.

It was a pleasure
to meet you, Edna.

You have a lovely voice.

-Tell me why you're so afraid.
-"Afraid."

Of Houseman's offer.

There aren't
enough Negro actors

who understand Shakespeare,
let alone speak it.

So direct them.

Here I was, thinking
I'd married a real artist,

but at the first chance
at true originality,

and he runs for the door.

Do you know
how many productions

of the Scottish play are
being done in Manhattan

-as we speak?
-So set yours apart.

Mm! How many Negro Scots
do you know?

What if they weren't Scottish?

It's set in Scotland.

What if it wasn't?

-(drumming)
-MAN: There it is.

(overlapping chatter)

WOMAN:
Okay.

ORSON:
The Caribbean.

Orson?

The play is set

in 19th century Haiti.

Not with witchcraft.
With voodoo.

-Voodoo?
-Voodoo.

I've decided to accept
the position, by the way.

I gathered.

We've ruled out
the Scottish play.

It's not Scottish anymore.

Imagine: a jungle.

Hot and humid--

Will I need
my Hold-Fast Hairspray?

(drumming)

Jungle drums.

The din of the jungle canopy.

Voodoo spirits
conjuring powers

beyond imagination.

Mr. Welles.

We're exploring
other options now.

So stop.
The play is here.

This must be fun for you.

To say "no" one day
and then come charging in here

the next because
you had a voodoo vision

during your morning
bowel movement.

Well, typically
my bowel movements occur

at night,
Mrs. McClendon.

(snorts)

You came to me
for fresh ideas.

It doesn't get
any fresher than this.

It's the Scottish play,
only not Scottish anymore.

It's the Bard's words
but not the way

those stiffs
at the Royal Shakespeare Company

have been spouting off
for 300 years.

We can turn
this old play on its head

and still thrillingly tell
the same story.

Or...

we could explore
these other options here.

I mean, I'm sure
Harlem theatergoers

will love
Two Gentlemen of Verona,

as long as they don't
fall asleep in the first act.

How badly do you want
to play Lady M.?

Would I have to wear
a sheep's skull on my head?

(stirring music)

ROSE:
Too many damn white people.

He hired a white set designer
and his wife as the producer.

It's the Negro Theater Unit.

Negro. Your white boy
better get that straight.

All right.
I'll speak to him.

You're a king.
Not an earthworm.

Have a spine. Again.

"Fair and noble hostess,

we are your guests tonight--"

Next.

Wait-- please?

I have always dreamed
of being an actor,

but if I don't catch
a break soon,

I'm gonna be
an electrician forever.

Huh.

I applaud your enthusiasm.

All right,
you're in the show.

Do you mean it, Mister?

Thank you.
Miss.

Put him down as Murderer #3
and get him a tool belt.

-Murderer #3 has a line.
-Not anymore.

Orson, Virginia.

How's it going?

As I feared,
competent actors are proving

-difficult to find.
-Hello, John.

Okay, up next,
we have Jack Carter.

We saw him
in a production of Porgy.

He's quite talented.

-Orson, we need to talk.
-Shh!

Is that a dagger
I see before me?

The handle toward my hand?

-Should I stop him?
-No-no.

Come, let me clutch thee.

I have thee not,
yet I see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal vision,

sensible to feeling as to sight?

Oh...

Virginia, take over.

Um... next!

ACTOR:
Look on it again, I dare not.

Rose, do you intend to play
Lady M. from a chair?

Stand up.

VIRGINIA:
Let's move on.

Whenever you're ready,
go ahead.

-Find me actors, John.
-This is chaos.

-This is theater.
-(chuckling)

This is still exploratory.

We don't have the money
to pay all these people yet.

Everything will be swell,
trust me.

I do, within limits.

I have no limits.

That's why you hired me.

True.

But your crew is too white.

Too white?

Have you looked
in the mirror lately?

We're supposed to be
creating jobs

-for Negroes, Orson.
-Nat designed

Calling All Stars.

It's a divine miracle
I got him.

All right, but you get rid
of the rest of them.

Including Virginia.

Virginia's my wife.

I'm aware.
I attended the wedding.

She's my partner in this,
John, she's invaluable.

Rose is adamant.

VIRGINIA:
All right, all right,

wonderful.

(soft jazz playing)

Thank you.

To the Haitian play.

To... the Haitian play.

(clink)

-So, I had a thought.
-Mm!

Remember that singer
Edna Thomas?

She would make
a superb Lady Macduff.

And for Banquo...

Thirsty, darling?

(groans)

Houseman...

has ordered me
to fire you.

What?

I'm the producer.

Rose thinks
the crew is too white.

So you fired Nat, too?

Well, no.

We still need a designer.

But you don't need me?!

-Shh!
-Voodoo was my idea.

Actually, it was
both our idea.

-Ready to order?
-No, I'm not hungry.

There's no need
for the dramatics.

Oh, that's rich,
coming from you.

Something with pork
for my husband.

What's the expression?

"You are
what you eat"?

Oh!

(sighing)

(distant music, laughter)

WOMAN:
That's Cuba Johnson!

(cheering)

(chanting):
Champ! Champ! Champ!

(chanting continues)

Drinks on me, Joe.

I'm feeling good, baby.

(laughing)

Oh, that's right,
I'm Cuba Johnson,

the motherfuckin' champ.

(laughing)
Yeah, who dares go

toe to toe
with the Manhattan Bull?

Name one person
in this city

who could survive
this left hook.

(laughing)

Have you met my wife?

(soft laughter)

Well, will you look at this
cracker-lookin' fella here?

(soft laughter)

Looks like
she did a...

a number on you already.

-(laughing)
-Tell you what.

(sighing)

Look like you need to take
a swing at somebody.

I'll give you one hit.

(patrons ooh-ing)

You may be
a middleweight champ...

but I'm a heavyweight drinker.

You get one swing.

If I'm still standing...

I get one right back.

-(Orson grunting)
-(laughter)

-Oh!
-(clamoring)

(chanting):
Champ! Champ! Champ!

(chanting continues)

(groaning)

That was nothing.

(patrons murmuring)

You're all right, kid.

(laughter)

(laughing)

Another for my...

my new friend here, Joe.

Yes, sir.

So... this ugly mother
steps in the ring, right?

(laughing)
Looked like a goddamn Viking.

-Red hair, everything.
-(laughing)

And-- And he's just swinging
with the full force

of his Irish weight
behind every punch.

(grunting)

(laughter)

So I let him swing at me
for three rounds.

Three of the longest rounds
of my life.

Mm.

But then I step out
in the fourth...

(laughing)

...and knocked
his lights out

with one left hook-- bam!

(laughter)

He was so tired,

I think he stayed down
so he could sleep.

(sighing)

Do you know
what you've got, Cuba?

What have I got, Orson?

What we call stage presence.

Good evening, Maurice.

Good morning, Mr. Welles.

Hmm.

Whence is that knocking?!

Holy hell.

I heard that
you were directing

the Scottish play,
Mr. Welles.

-You heard right, I--
-How is't with me

when every noise appalls me?

-Maurice--
-What hands are here--

-Maurice.
-(clearing throat)

Oh.

-Good morning.
-Mm-hmm.

Good morning, Mrs. Winston.

-Good morning, dear.
-Welcome.

Ha!

They pluck out mine eyes!

Will all great Neptune's ocean

wash this blood
clean from my hands?

Acting has always been

one of my secret dreams,
you know?

Not so secret anymore.

Just come by the theater
tomorrow, hmm?

Thank you!

WOMAN:
Let's go.

(distant music playing softly)

Where are you going?

I have an audition
for a film.

Did you think
you were the only one

in this household
with a career?

Well, good luck then.

You know, you really
should consider film.

Theater is a dying medium.

(door slams)

Oh, horror!
Horror! Horror!

Stop.

Can we try that again, Cuba?

Remember, you've just looked
into the king's chambers

and found
his murdered corpse.

How would you react?

Oh, horror!
Horror, horror!

Better.

Most "saycra-ledgous" murder--

Mr. Welles, a word?

(sighing)

Cuba...

the word is "sacrilegious."

That's what I said,
"saycra-ledgous."

No, there's no D.

You added a D.

A houseplant could act better.

He has stage presence.

He is presently on stage.

That's the extent
of his stage presence.

Are you drunk?

I was drunk.

Tragically,
it's past tense.

JOHN:
Orson!

Great news.

A congressman is coming tomorrow
to witness our progress.

There is no progress.

Rose is being hard
on herself.

It's hard to progress
when you're so exceptionally

talented already.

Awake! Awake!

Alarum bell!

Murder and treason!

You're bringing
a grimy politician

-to my theater?
-That grimy politician

is a big supporter
of the New Deal,

and the New Deal,
if you'll recall, Orson,

is funding
this entire bloody project.

Just show him
a little spectacle,

and play nice.

Wish you could stay, John!

The performances are
unbelievable!

(whispering):
Where could he be...

Ah!

(chuckling)

John Houseman, I reckon.

I love what you're doing
for community theater.

An honor to meet you,
Congressman.

Oh, a limey.

Sorry, gentlemen,
can I get just

one more handshake
for the camera?

Certainly, right here.

-(flashbulb pops)
-Okay.

-(chuckling)
-Thank you.

Right this way.

Well, it seems
like you're...

got a new production
cooking up.

I'm here to get a taste.

We have the finest
Negro actors in New York.

What? Excellent.

So, uh, what's the name
of the play you're showin'?

Martin Dies,
meet Orson Welles.

-Our director.
-Well, Mr. Welles,

it's a pleasure.

That's a nice shiner
there, kiddo.

Well, theater is
a tough business.

Rivaled only by politics.

(laughter)

Rose McClendon,
our Lady M.

Of course, of course.

Juano Hernandez,
our Scottish king.

Mr. Hernandez.

So where are you from, son?

I've been in New York a while.

Well, show me
what you got here!

(laughter)

Let's reset
to the top of the scene.

("thunder" rumbling)

Double, double,
toil and trouble.

Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

By the pricking
of my thumbs,

something wicked
this way comes.

How now, you secret
midnight hags?

What is it you do?

WITCHES:
A deed without name.

JUANO: I conjure you
by that which you profess.

Answer me to what I ask.

-Speak!
-Demand!

We'll answer!

-(all cackling)
-(soft chatter)

If you could just
return to your seat.

-Sir?
-Congressman, wait, please.

Mr. Dies!

What were
those hideous masks?

-It's voodoo.
-Foreigners

and witchy mumbo-jumbo.

The New Deal funds
American theater.

Now, this is un-American.

Our nation is
under attack...

by communism.

This play has nothing to do
with communism.

Yes, it does!

You see, communism...

is a cancer.

And it breeds...
in nests...

of subversive,
radical ideas,

and slowly corrupts
our society.

And it is my righteous cause
to eradicate it

wherever I see it.

I can assure you

that that monstrosity...

will never see
opening night.

(speaking indistinctly)

(door opens)

John?

Congratulations, chaps.

Let's put on a play.

(cheering and applause)

ORSON:
Okay! Let's get to work.

See, John?
Congratulations.

The king's two sons
are stolen away

and fled, which puts
upon them suspicion...

Can't I just say,
"which makes them suspicious"?

Say the words
Shakespeare gave you

and mean
what you just said.

Then 'tis most like
the sovereignty

will fall upon Macbeth.

What's "sovereignty"?

It means
he's now king.

Macbeth is king?

What did you just say?

-I said, is Mac--
-Stop! No!

Leave the theater now.

-You firing me?
-No, it's the curse.

-The curse?
-A lot of people have died,

a ton of accidents.
It's said President Lincoln

read the play the day
before he was assassinated.

So no one says the M-word
in a theater.

Except in the context
of the play.

Y'all are serious?

We are deadly serious.

So get your muscle head
out of my theater.

When you're outside, turn around
three times and spit.

-The hell you talking about--
-Come on, I'll show you.

-Hey, y'all crazy.
-Watch out!

Holy Christ.

Nat! Make sure
it's secure.

For Christ's sake.

Okay.

Spin around three times

and spit over
your left shoulder.

Now say "Angels
and ministers of grace,

defend us."

"Angels and ministers
of grace, def-defend us"?

It's from Hamlet.

Hamlet?

-(laughing)
-(laughing)

Okay... all right.

Okay, now we just...

now we just knock
on the door,

wait to be let back in.

Okay!

Let's move, people.

Opening night is
less than two months away.

Let's take it from the top.

You have a wife?

Man, I've been a... a sailor,

a jazz musician,
circus performer,

now I'm a boxer.

Ain't no time for someone
in all of that.

How about you,
you got a missus?

Nah, not my style.

How'd you get those?

Yeah, my pa.

Yeah, he used
to beat me up pretty good.

One day I decided...

to stop going down
with his punches,

so the bastard put
a nail in his fists.

My older brother
thought it a good idea

to put his cigarettes
out there.

That right?

That's what makes a man.

Tolerance for pain.

That's a nice tie.

You like it?

Yeah.
It's a good color.

(chuckling)

-Something funny?
-Um...

In some circles, a red tie
has a certain meaning.

What's that?

It means you like men.

(laughter)

There's a masquerade on Friday.

144th and Amsterdam?

You can come if you'd like.

You calling me a homosexual?

No, I was not--

I just changed
in front of a fuckin' queer?!

-You enjoy that?!
-No, I-I'm sorry,

I shouldn't've
said anything.

Yeah-yeah, you better
watch your mouth.

You askin' to lose a tongue.

(piano playing)

♪ All by myself ♪

♪ I get lonely... ♪

♪ Watching the clock ♪

♪ On the shelf... ♪

♪ I'd love to rest
my weary head ♪

♪ On somebody's shoulder... ♪

♪ I'd hate to grow older ♪

♪ All by myself ♪♪

(cheering and applause)

-(blowing)
-Who are you?

Uh... is Miss Edna Thomas
available?

It's Mrs. Thomas.

Well, I'm a friend
of Mrs. Edna Thomas.

Who's there?

Mom, I wanna go home.

-(chuckling)
-Mr. Welles.

Ms. Edna Thomas,
um, remember that play

I said I wasn't directing?

-Sure.
-Well, I changed my mind,

and I want to offer you a part.

Baby, you should head inside.

Don't get comfortable,
I'm leaving.

Um. Uh, okay, um...

in short...

I would love for you to be
my Lady Macduff.

I've never even
read Shakespeare.

Much of the cast is
in the same boat.

I work at night.

We rehearse during the day.

I have Clarissa
during the day.

She can be involved, too.

You're running out of excuses.

-(laughs)
-God.

-What do you say?
-Ugh...

I'll see you next week?

Good night.

Thank you.

Thank you, Gin.
You are gonna be wonderful.

-Good night.
-Good night.

Orson!
You missed the party.

-Who are these people?
-I got the part!

-I was hoping to introduce--
-Who was he?

Who was he?

That's Peter.
That's the director.

He's such a doll.
I could introduce you...

Next time.

Would you go
over my lines with me?

Seriously, Virginia?

I'd have thought
you knew that damn play

backwards
and forwards by now.

I'm making some changes.

Orson Welles,

Shakespeare
of the 20th century.

-Wait, you're cutting that?
-Virginia, I'm working!

(sighs)

Aren't you excited for me?

The lead role in a film?

Can we please continue
this discussion tomorrow, dear?

Fine.

I'm turning in.

Would you come to set
on my first day of filming?

When is it?

A week from tomorrow.

-Orson.
-Huh? When is it?

-A week from tomorrow.
-Yes. Yes, yes.

As long as we're on schedule.

It's important to me.

-Promise?
-I promise.

Act Three, Scene Four.

Banquet prepared.
Enter the king.

-Lady M.
-Mr. Welles.

Yes, Lady Rose?

Juano isn't here.

Wonderful.
Just wonderful.

Okay, okay.

Well, we wait for nobody.

Act Four, Scene Two.

Lady Macduff.
Where's Edna?

-Edna?
-(foot stomps)

You're up.

The king has hired murderers
to kill Macduff and his family--

damn it! We haven't hired
any murderers yet.

Never mind,
never mind, I'll do it.

Uh, okay, okay,

let's go, people, let's go.

Whither should I fly?
I have done no harm.

-What are these faces?
-Where is your husband?

I hope in no place
so unsanctified

where such
as thou mayst find him.

-He is a traitor.
-Thou liest,

thou shag-hair'd villain!

What, you egg!

Young fry of treachery!

Ugh!

You called me an egg.
That's silly.

Concentrate, Clarissa.

We're trying to kill you.

VIRGINIA:
Hello, everybody!

I brought sandwiches.

I'm afraid
all they had was tuna.

I could eat a can
of shoe polish right about now.

-So kind of you, darling.
-Mm.

Edna...

what are you doing here?

Mr. Welles cast me
as Lady Macduff.

Is that so?

You're doing
marvelously, Edna.

Wherever did you
find her, Orson?

Virginia, sweetheart,

we're only a few weeks
away from opening.

Of course.

Silly me, what would
a little wife know

of such things?

So good to see you again, Edna.

I leave you
in my husband's capable hands.

They all say he's a genius.

Do enjoy the sandwiches,
everyone.

(door slams)

Has anyone seen Juano yet?!

(sighing)

Honey, relax.

You're a natural.

I sing, yes,
I speak... no.

Remember: it's all about
her pain and anger.

Her husband has fled,
leaving her

to raise a child on her own.

You know that pain?

Pull from that.

(knocking on door)

-Excuse me, Edna?
-Yes, Mr. Welles?

Oh, call me Orson.

I wanted to apologize
for my wife's behavior.

Uh, no need to apologize.

Marriage can bring out
the best and worst in us.

She's wide,
we'll have to take it out.

Uh, thank you.

Uh, something wrong,
Mr. Welles?

Orson.

Edna, I'd love
to take you out sometime.

We can talk about the play.
Your character.

I just want to get to know you
a little bit better.

You know?

I-I know it's preposterous.

I know I have a wife, but...

You are married.

I'm a mother and a widow.

The man I loved...

the man I still love...

he watches over me.

Run, mother, I pray you!

-Argh!
-(laughter)

Did I perform well,
Mr. Welles?

You were magnificent.

He said I was magnificent.

EDNA: Honey, grab your coat.
We gotta get you home.

ROSE:
There you are.

I'm going to look for Juano.

I'll go.

In this neighborhood?

Best I go with you.

So you'll be my bodyguard?

Who said I would protect you?

(indistinct chatter, laughter)

Good evening, gentlemen.

MEN:
Good evening.

(scoffs)

Come on, Mr. Welles.

(man speaking in distance)

You'll alert all of Harlem.

Juano!

(coughing)

Lo siento,
que-- que necesita?

ORSON:
Uh... I...

Uh...

We just wanted to know...

Yo estoy trabajar con Juano.

En teatro.

Why don't you wait downstairs?

Esta bien,
Señora Hernandez?

Que paso?

No.

(continuing in Spanish)

MAN:
Excuse me.

Well, what did she say?

Immigration took him.

Christ, he's from Puerto Rico.
He's an American citizen.

Ah, so there is a heart
beating in there after all.

Well...

we'll have to find
a replacement.

Maybe I could.

Maybe you could what,
Orson Welles?

It would be the first time
in theater history

that Lady M. would actually
murder her husband.

I heard a Negro play

down on Lenox Avenue
the other night,

by the pale dull pallor

of an old gas light.

He did a lazy sway
to the tunes

o' those Weary Blues.

With his ebony hands
on each ivory key,

he made that poor piano
moan with melody.

Oh, groove,

swayin' to and fro
on his rickety stool,

he played that sad raggedy tune

like a musical fool.

Sweet Blues...

First time at poetry night?

Jack Carter.

What brings you here?

Casting.

Seems my Scottish king has
been stolen from me.

Shit...

I borrowed the complete works
of Billy Shakespeare

from the prison library,
devoured 'em all.

Remember your audition?

You were fried.

POET:
...I wish that I had died.

Thank you,
thank you, thank you.

EMCEE:
Langston Hughes, everyone.

-Next up--
-Jack Carter!

Is this a dagger
I see before me?

The handle toward my hand?

Come, let me clutch thee.

I have thee not.

And yet I see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal vision,

sensible to feeling
as to sight?

Or art thou
but a dagger of the mind?

A false creation

proceeding from
the heat-oppressed brain?

Thee still...

and on thy blade
and dudgeon

gouts of blood--
I go, and it is done!

The bell invites me.

Hear it not, Duncan,
for it is a knell

that summons thee
to heaven or to hell!

(soft applause)

The witches prophesied
that M. would become king,

so he murdered Duncan
and became king himself.

They also predicted
that his children would not

inherit the throne,
and Banquo's offspring would.

So, he hired murderers,

you two, to murder
his friend Banquo, hmm?

Let's just try it.

Tom, you say all the lines.

Uh, Barry, just try
to look murderous, hmm? Okay?

Jack, proceed.

You know Banquo was your enemy?

TOM:
True, my lord.

Thence it is to your assistance
that I do make love.

(clears throat)
We shall

perform what you command.

JACK:
It must be done tonight.

Okay, Jack, you lead them
off stage left.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm, then you turn back.

Uh-huh, right.

Proceed.

It is concluded.

Banquo, thy soul's flight,

if it find Heaven,
must find it out tonight.

And Lady M. is entering.

And Lady M. is entering...

-(coughing)
-Mm-hmm.

And she is speaking.

How now, my lord?

Why do you keep alone?

JACK:
Better be with the dead

than sleep in the affliction

of these terrible dreams
which shake us nightly

and torture of the mind.

Things without
all remedy should be

without regard.
What's done is done.

-(coughing)
-Full of scorpions

in my mind, dear one.

(coughing)

What's to be done?

Be innocent of the knowledge,
dearest chuck,

till thou applaud the deed.

-(coughing)
-Everyone take ten, please.

Excellent work, Jack.
I've got a few notes. Just...

give me a few minutes, please.

(coughing)

What is it?

Pleurisy.

Not a very friendly disease.

(Orson sighs)

Are you still my Lady M.?

Oh, Lord, I want to be.

(sighs)

Do you know
who George Poage is?

Mm-mm.

In 1904, the Olympic Games
were held in St. Louis.

I took my little brother
to the track and field events.

(chuckles)

That year, George Poage
became the first Negro

to win a medal.

Bronze,
in the 400 meter hurdles.

From that day on,
my brother wanted nothing more

than to win gold
at that event.

But his legs didn't
take him fast enough

to even outrun
the boys in the schoolyard.

His mind was crossing
finishing lines,

while his feet were
barely out of the blocks.

Our bodies fail all of us
at some point.

They're not as strong
as our dreams.

(sighs)

Have you been seeing a doctor?

I did, for a while.

Why'd you stop?

Does it look
like it was helping?

Who knows?

You and me,
and that's the way

it's gonna stay
for as long as possible.

I will be Lady M.
until a geyser of blood

springs from my mouth,
and I convulse on stage.

(both laugh)

Don't laugh at a dying lady.

That day comes, Rose,
I'm sure you'll still

find a way to scold me
on the blocking.

From time to time,
directors need

a swift kick in the ass.

Oh, don't steal my lines, Rose.

Only if you keep our secret.

As long as possible.

-(soft audience chatter)
-(music playing)

(exhaling)

(loud laughing)

(distant voices)

Hey, sugar.

Just talk to me, huh?

-Oh, my God.
-(both laughing)

(soft piano playing)

Merci.

Every time
I come to one of these,

it gets whiter and whiter.

White boys can be queens, too.
(scoffs)

You can paint
a stripe on a horse,

but that don't
make it a zebra.

(chuckling)

Bonsoir, monsieur.

-I'm-- I'm sorry.
-It's okay.

-I-I should go.
-Can I have a dance

before you go?

(slow jazz playing)

♪

♪

(chanting):
Shut it down! Shut it down!

Shut it down!
Shut it down!

(chant continues)

(overlapping shouting)

Again, from the top!

(clears throat)

And a stage whisper,
please, Jack.

There's blood upon thy face--

No, no, a stage whisper

implies that
the character is whispering,

but it still needs
to be loud enough

for the audience
to hear, obviously.

Again.

There's blood upon thy face.

'Tis Banquo then.

-Is he dispatched?
-My lord, his throat is cut.

(chuckles) Thou art the best
of the cutthroats.

Most royal sir,

his son has-- has escaped.

Get thee gone.

Really lose your temper, Jack.

If Banquo's son has escaped,

he's still a threat
to the throne.

Mm.

Get thee gone.

-You stink of booze.
-So do you.

I am still doing my job.

Proceed.

I drink to the general joy
of the whole table

and our dear friend Banquo,

whom we miss.

Which of you have done this?

Shake not thy gory locks at me.

For Christ's sake, Jack,
you're talking to a ghost.

React to that.

You're seeing Banquo,

who you just ordered
to be murdered.

He's dead, yet here he is!

Where is your panic?
Your fear?

Rose, proceed.

Sit, worthy friends.

My lord is often thus--
the fit is momentary.

JACK:
Avaunt, and quit my sight.

Thy bones are marrowless.

Are marrowless!
Thy blood is cold!

Thou hast no sight
in those eyes

with which thou dost glare!

That's how I want it done, Jack!

If you're going
to drink on the job,

at least let it
inform your performance.

Let's take a break, everyone.

No, we're gonna do it
again and again,

-until we get it right.
-Orson, please.

Your king is behaving
like a lunatic.

He's talking
to an empty chair.

While everyone is
sitting around,

acting like
they're sipping tea

at a queen's garden party.

There are protestors
outside right now,

who want us to fail.

Again.

From the top.

(sighs)

(knocking on door)

Come in.

Rose, we have
a serious problem.

Oh, you think so?

You can't go in
without an appointment.

JOHN:
This will only take a moment.

But you can't--
Come back!

Excuse me, you can't...

Our funding has been delayed.

-I'm sorry, sir, I--
-It-It's all right,

Miss Evans, it's all right.

It's polite to make
an appointment.

Our checks have been bouncing.

Well, that's unfortunate.

To my knowledge,
the Federal Theatre Project

has received all its funding.

You might want
to take it up with them.

Opening night...

is two weeks away.

And our leading man

has disappeared.

Actually, Mr. Dies, he has been

detained by immigration.

Fail to see
how this concerns me.

It was right after
you showed up.

Well, he was a foreigner.
If I recall.

He's from Puerto Rico,
a U.S. territory,

if you recall.

(coughing)

-(continues coughing)
-Our production,

Congressman, it lies upon
a man of your stature--

--the New Deal funds
American theater.

Not this dark commie
witchy mumbo-jumbo

that you call voodoo.

It's way too subversive
for true Americans.

Too subversive

or too Black, Congressman?

Ha-ha. It's time for you
and your girl to go.

-(coughing)
-Ms. Evans, I think

-we need an escort.
-Sending them in, sir.

DIES:
Gentlemen?

I think it's time
to leave, folks.

Thank you for confirming
our suspicions,

Congressman.

Mr. Houseman...

...what's it you people like
to say in the theater?

Break a leg?

ORSON:
Fight like you mean it,

gentlemen, I wanna see
the heat off your faces,

the sparks off your swords.
I need to believe

that you're trying
to kill each other, just--

fight like you mean it,
damn it!

(grunts)

That real enough for ya?

Maurice, just...

Is somebody whistling
in the theater?

Nobody whistles
in a theater, never!

Do you understand?

We don't need
any more bad luck!

My knee,
it hurts like the devil.

Well, get it checked.

(slow jazz playing)

Excuse me, how are you--

Get off me, Christ!
I-I'm not queer!

I don't care what you do
in your bedroom.

Just-- I-I don't want to see it
in my theater.

I'm-I'm a national champion,
damn it.

You know what would happen
to my career

if-if people found out
I was a pansy?

♪

You want us to wear
Black makeup?

It's supposed to be set
in the Haitian jungle.

For it to be authentic,

everyone needs to look
like they're dark-skinned.

Oh, come on, Orson,
am I not authentically

-Black enough?
-It's not about you, Jack.

It's about the fucking play!

Wh... What would be best
for the play is

for you to get
your head on straight.

♪

ORSON: Barry, take a step
to your right.

Nother right.

Nother right.

Perfect.

ORSON (whispering):
The castle

of Macduff I will surprise...

(continues whispering)

The castle of Macduff
I will surprise;

give to the edge o' the sword,
his wife, his babes,

and all unfortunate souls
that trace him in his line.

No more boasting
like a fool.

This deed I'll do
before the purpose cool.

The castle of Macduff
I will surprise...

Time! Again!

Birnam Woods marching inexorably
against the castle!

You're supposed to be a highly
trained military army. Just--

And I could do this all night.

Macbeth is not a villain.

Lady M. really has to push him
to murder Duncan.

(sighs)
One more for the road.

Better not.

I have a long night
ahead of me.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow,
and tomorrow.

(laughing)

-(groans)
-(sighs)

(laughing)

Mr. Welles.

(retching)

-Oh...
-I'm sorry, Mr. Welles...

-ORSON: Unhand me!
-...but we need to clean

the elevator, would you mind?

ORSON:
I would mind very much.

And I want you
to take me upstairs...

I want to see my wife.

-Thank you.
-Sir. Sir, she's right there.

Virginia...

Virginia?

Virginia!

Virginia?

Oh... just...

VIRGINIA: You're just a drunk,
like your father.

Oh, Virginia...

(Orson chuckles)

(rattling knob)

ORSON:
Virginia, I have to work.

(groans) I'm tired.

So am I.
I'm tired of being

nothing but a furnishing to you.

ORSON:
Just let me in, I...

We'll talk.

All you care about is
that damn play.

Today was my first day
of filming,

you knew how important
it was to me,

I reminded you over and over.

You promised
to be there, but...

you chose to go out drinking.

I had to talk
to one of my actors.

Yeah? Who? Edna?

You know what?

I don't even care.

This has become just
somewhere for you to sleep.

Nothing else.

Well, this is New York City.

There are a million places
for you to sleep.

This is no longer
one of them.

Vir-- Virginia!

You don't know anything
about sacrifice!

What you have to give up
for your art!

-Virginia!
-(knocking on door)

(knocking on door)

Oh...

(panting)

I heard a voice cry,

"Sleep no more!"

Macbeth does murder sleep.

(exhales) There you are.

Are you ready for this preview?

We've got about
50 people out there,

including Percy Hammond,
from the Star Tribune.

I'll be out in a minute.

(breathing heavily)

Damn'd be he who cries,

"Hold, enough!"

Macbeth... Macbeth...

be bloody, bold, and resolute.

Laugh to scorn
the power of man,

for none of woman born
shall harm Macbeth.

Then what need I fear
of thee, Macduff?

("thunder" rumbling)

WITCH:
Macbeth shall

never vanquish'd be

until great Birnam Wood

shall come to Dunsinane Hill.

Good...

Go... (mutters)

That can never be...

WITCHES:
Seek to know no more.

Jack-- I swear to God, Jack,

-(panicked whispering)
-Orson...

I'm the understudy,
shall I go on?

God, no. I can't send on
a queen for a king.

Cuba, you're on!

The top scene is next, go!

-Move, move, move.
-Your castle is surprised,

your wife and babes
savagely slaughtered.

(stifling sobs)

Not...

in the legions of horrid hell...

can come a devil

more damn'd in evils...

to top Macbeth.

(whispering to self)

Out, damned spot!

Out, I say!

One...

two... (exhales)

Why, then,

'tis time to do it.

Fie, my lord, fie!

A soldier, and afeard?

(coughing)

Yet...

who would have thought
the old man to have

so much blood in him?

What, will these hands

ne'er be clean?

(sniffs)

Here's the smell
of the blood, still,

all the perfumes of Arabia

will not sweeten
this little hand.

Oh...

Oh...

I tell you yet again,

Banquo's buried.

He cannot come out on's grave.

(bell chiming)

To bed!
To bed!

What's done cannot be undone.

To bed.
To bed...

(coughing)

(continues coughing)

(bell chiming)

That's our cue, let's go.

Go!

The queen is dead, my lord.

ORSON:
She should have died hereafter.

There would have been time
for such a word.

Tomorrow...

and tomorrow...

and tomorrow creeps in
this petty pace

from day to day

to the last syllable
of recorded time.

And all our yesterdays
have lighted fools

-the way to dusty death.
-(background chatter)

(whispering):
Get him off the stage!

Mr. Houseman!

Out...

Out, brief candle.

Life's but a walking shadow...

-Rose. (whispering)
-...a poor player

that struts and frets
his hour upon the stage...

Close the bloody curtain!

...it is a tale told
by an idiot...

...full of sound and fury...

signifying nothing.

(whispering):
Peter, what the hell?!

Rose fainted.
She's over there.

What the hell are you doing?

(footsteps)

(clears throat)

Our apologies,
ladies and gentlemen.

Due to technical difficulties,

this is the conclusion

of tonight's
preview performance.

Move, move.
I need you to make a path!

Move, move!

Get out of the way!
Move, damn it!

Stay back, guys, move, move!

♪

I'm not coming back here
if he's gonna work in blackface!

(chanting):
Close it down! Close it down!

Close it down!
Close it down!

(chanting continues)

(chanting continues)

Any of you touch
a member of this company,

I will put you down!

They were wrong in there.

You'd make
a great Scottish king.

(panting)

(continues panting)

(groaning)

Oh, sh... Sh...

Yeah, yeah...

(groans) Son of a bitch!

(panting)

(muttering to self)

Percy Hammond.

Congressman Dies
would like a word.

DIES:
Hello, Mr. Hammond?

Come on aboard.

What you thinking about?

(sighs)

I'm gonna cut
to the chase, Percy.

I'm gonna give you
$300 in cash.

Now, all you have to do...

is write a review that
that play was an abomination.

(chuckling)

Clearly, you haven't
seen the play.

Why do you say that?

'Cause if you had,

you wouldn't have felt
the need to pay me.

(laughing)

I think that's all, Percy.

Thank you, sir.

Orson?

-Orson!
-(groaning)

What the hell happened?!

What the fuck?

Lift up your shirt.

Oh, get off. (groans)

Do what you're told, for once!

Fortunately,
it's not too deep.

(groaning)

I've just been reading
the reviews.

(groaning)

Any raves?

(both laughing)

Uh...

Percy Hammond wrote,

"Deluxe boondoggling.

"A vanity production,

squandering taxpayer dollars."

(laughing)

Blackface?

The hell were you thinking?

It was a shit show.

I had to try and save it.

(exhales) Yeah.

You made it worse.

-Ah...
-There. Now...

hold that tight.

Aah... fuck.

(laughing)

Did you know...

...Martin Dies is using
this production as a...

political stepping stone?

He managed to get
our funding cut off.

Rose and I had to cover
payroll last week.

I'll manage to scrape up
the funds myself.

We have no time.
No lead cast.

And the rest of the cast

won't bloody work
with you anymore!

Don't quit on me now, John!

You chose me
for a reason!

As God is my witness, Orson...

...you get your act together.

Or I will never

work with you again.

And I daresay

no one else will, either.

Now, get yourself cleaned up.

Where are you going?

(sighs)
To the Federal Theatre Project.

To try and get
our funding back.

(groaning)

(door closes)

(grunting)

(screams)

(Rose coughing)

(Orson grunts softly)

How was that
for dramatic flair?

You promised me
a geyser of blood.

-(coughing)
-(Orson chuckling)

Next time.

I'm so sorry, Rose.

Have you ever wanted
something so badly

you'd do anything...

...and I mean anything,
to make it happen?

-I hired you, didn't I?
-(soft chuckle)

I let you down, Rose.

When we first met,

I called you a petulant child.

(chuckles)

Petulant, yes.

But a child?

I've never been that.

When your mother dies young,

your childhood dies with her.

And your father?

Kept busy.

Brandy, mostly.

And one illness or another.

Kicked the bucket
in a puddle of piss

and a hail of obscenities.

I was 15.

I saw this play
unfold in my head.

Rose, it was so clear.

Now... I'm watching its demise.

As much as I despise
many of your methods,

you're not without talent.

A lot of people are
relying on you.

Cast. Crew.

(coughing)

A whole community.

It's not too late
to fix this.

I'm not sure I know how.

So?

Let's talk.

(coughing)

(door closes)

Orson Welles' grand production

of the Scottish play
is dead.

But your Scottish play

is alive and well.

The one that belongs to Cuba.
To Maurice.

To Edna.

And to all of you.

The play that belongs to Rose.

I just came
from the hospital.

And while she will not be able
to move forward with us...

...Rose wanted me
to make sure that her vision

of a Negro Shakespeare
production comes to reality.

I'm not about to apologize
for all my transgressions.

Too numerous to count.

I will say...

that I understand
what a privilege it is

to be here with each of you.

And I am aware of the reason
why I hired you all.

Because you're good.

I need to trust you.

I need to trust
your instincts.

I need to stop trying
to force you to my will.

So let us press forward

and make Rose's dream come true.

Edna...

you're our new Lady M.

And Maurice...

...you are our new king.

Let's get to work.

Act One, Scene One.

-(door opens)
-Ah!

Yeah, refreshments
on the table up here.

Everyone,
please help yourselves,

and don't worry,
it's not tuna.

(soft chatter)

Orson...

thank you
for your vote and confidence,

-but I cannot accept.
-Why not?

The day you hired me,
you expressed

having feelings for me.

Now you offer me this role?

I don't want
those feelings to be--

My behavior was inappropriate.

I offer you the role purely
because of your talent.

I can't imagine anyone
replacing Rose but you.

Shall we get back
to rehearsal, Lady M.?

(laughter)

(distant train rattling)

(distant drumming)

(scattered applause)

-(whoops)
-(applause)

(smooth drumming rhythm)

(tentative rhythm)

-(smooth rhythm)
-ONLOOKER: Ooh, yeah!

(applause)

Feel the drumbeats
in your bones.

Remember, it's a battle.

Take it from
your entrance, Cuba.

Swords I smile at,

weapons laugh to scorn,

brandish'd by man
that's of a woman born.

Tyrant, show thy face.

Turn, hellhound, turn!

Of all men else,

I have avoided thee.

CUBA:
I have no words.

My voice is in my sword.

Excellent, gentlemen,
take a break.

Take a break,
take a break!

Cuba, a word?

Having trouble
with that left eye?

Hell no.
Nothing wrong with my eye.

Cut the bullshit, Cuba.

I study people for a living.

Look, I was good.

I was good.

Till a slugger
near popped my eye out.

Now, I only win
when the promoter pays

the other fella
to take a dive.

Look, I make 'em
a lot of money

because of my stage presence.

I'm a fraud, Orson.

A big, brawny liar.

Have you told anyone else?

No.

That's your truth to tell.

Cuba...

Take a minute, hmm?

Rest that knee up.

Yes, sir.

All right, we're back!

Restore!

(bell rings)

-Flowers for Mrs. Welles?
-Oh, thank you.

"The love that
follows us sometime

"is our trouble...

...which still
we thank as love."

Better late than never.

A quote
from the Haitian play.

Of course.

MAN:
Virginia, you're up.

(exhales)

MAN:
Places, everyone!

Quiet on the set!

Ninety-apple,
take two, marker!

(chanting):
No place for blackface!

No place for blackface!
No place for blackface!

(chanting continues)

(chanting continues)

(distant chatter)

Mr. Welles!
Mr. Welles!

No running in the theater!

-Do you know your lines?
-Every one.

Good.
How's your mama?

Scared.

Do you want to know a secret?

(whispering)

-Thou shalt be...
-Mr. Welles told me

-he's scared, too.
-(sighs)

I told her
it's all just pretend.

It's not that simple, honey.

It is, actually.

It's good to be scared.

Keeps you sharp.

I brought you something.

It's not from me.

"You were born
to play this role.

Love, Rose."

(exhales)

(whispering):
...done, then 'twere well

it were done quickly;
if the assassination...

I'm always nervous

'fore I land the first punch.

Hit me.

You're hurt.

Hardly a fair fight.

Go on.

I know you want to.

Hit me.

(breathing heavily)

Harder.

Again.

Harder.

(wailing)

(sobbing)

I don't think
I can play this part.

No, no, no, no, no...

You're not playing
at anything.

You are a king.

You should get dressed.

Right.

You were wearing
a red tie in public?

That's right.

You know, in some circles,

they say men
that wear a red tie...

-are attracted to--
-Gentlemen!

Cuba, how's the knee?

Oh, if there's one thing
I can tolerate, it's pain.

Maurice?

I'm terrified.

Perfect. So am I.

Hmm?

(audience chatter)

This sure is something,
this thing we do.

Shut your eyes and listen.

They've come
to sit in the dark

and be told a story.

Theater is like a campfire.

And we are like
storytellers of old,

sharing history.

Traditions.

Myths.

You feel at home here, huh?

(chuckles)
My wife would tell you

it's my only true home.

And if we fail tonight...

...that would spell
the first round knockout

of the myth of Orson Welles.

But when we succeed...

our myth will blaze
like a firestorm.

(Orson chuckles)

You think that reviewer's
out here again?

Didn't you hear?

Our friend Percy at The Herald
died last night.

-Massive heart attack.
-It must be the curse.

Reckon he said the M-word
in our theater.

Don't touch me!
I don't need no goddamn ticket!

I'm cast!
You know who I am?

(sighs)

MAN:
Five minutes till curtain.

No trouble at all, Jack.

Oh, John.

You can have this seat here.

Hands on me like I ain't--
I'm somebody!

(grunts)

(whispering indistinctly)

Heard about your pathetic
begging at the FTP.

Well...
you got your big night.

-Hmm.
-I can guarantee you that...

if this is a travesty,
which I'm sure it is...

...it'll be your last.

Yeah.

Good evening to you, too,
Congressman.

(bell chiming)

(drums playing)

(drumming continues)

WITCH:
When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning,
or in rain?

WITCH 2:
When the hurlyburly's done,

when the battle's
lost and won.

WITCHES:
Fair is foul, and foul is fair.

Hover through the fog
and filthy air.

A drum! A drum.

Macbeth doth come.

(witches cackling)

What are you?

Speak, if you can!

All hail Macbeth...

that shalt be king hereafter.

("thunder" rumbles)

-(whispering to self)
-CLARISSA: Macbeth,

be bloody, bold,

-and resolute.
-It is, uh...

Two minutes, Mrs. Thomas.

Come on, Mommy.
You're gonna be magnificent.

-(drums playing)
-(indistinct voices on stage)

(Orson whispering)

MAURICE:
Stars, hide your fires!

Let not light see
my black and deep desires.

If chance will have me king,

why, chance may crown me
without my stir.

My dearest partner
of greatness.

What tidings, my noble lord?

The weird sisters saluted me,

"Hail, king that shalt be."

This, I thought good
to deliver thee.

JACK:
That thou mightst not lose...

BOTH:
...the dues of rejoicing,

at what greatness is
promised thee!

-I am Macbeth! (grunting)
-(woman gasps)

That's right, I said it!

I whistled, too!

Bad luck! (cackles)
Bad luck!

I am Macbeth!

(fading into distance):
I whistled, too!

(whispering): Thou shalt be
what thou art promised.

Thou shalt be
what thou art promised.

Yet do I fear thy nature.

It is too full of
the milk of human kindness.

Look like the innocent
flower, my thane,

but be the serpent under it.

(soft drumming)

There's 10,000
English soldiers, sir!

The spirits have pronounced,

"Fear not, Macbeth."

John, have you seen Virginia?

Not yet.

(sighs)

Put mine armor on.
I'll fight till,

from my bones,
my flesh be hack'd.

I will not be afraid
of death and bane,

till Birnam Forest
come to Dunsinane.

As I stood watch upon the hill,
I looked towards Birnam,

and anon, methought
the woods began to move.

If thou speak'st false,

upon the next tree
shall thou hang alive.

Siward is sick.
He's in the bathroom moaning.

-He can't go on.
-Holy hell.

Uh...

Barry, you're on.
You're Siward.

What? No.
I-I-I don't know the lines.

You haven't let me say a word.

It's three lies.
Somebody, get him a script.

Now a wood comes
towards Dunsinane.

-Ring the alarum bell!
-(bell chimes)

Blow... wind!

Come, wrack!
At least we'll die

with harness on our back.

Just...
Just pretend Maurice is me.

Go!

What is thy name?

Thou'lt be afraid to hear it.

My name's Macbeth.

Ah, the devil himself
cannot pronounce a title

-more hateful to mine ear.
-No! Nor more fearful.

With my sword,
abhorred tyrant,

I'll prove
I have no fear of you.

(laughing)

MAURICE:
I bear a charmed life.

Which must not yield
to one of woman born.

(chuckling)

Macduff was
from his mother's womb

untimely ripped.

MAURICE: Accursed be
the tongue that tells me so.

I will not fight with thee.

I know you are not
about to tell me

to sit down, Orson Welles.

MAURICE:
I will not yield!

Lay on, Macduff!

And damn'd be him that
first cries, "Hold, enough!"

(both grunting)

(both grunting)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:
Kill the tyrant!

-Kill!
-Kill the tyrant!

(audience shouting)

(both grunting)

Aah!

(grunts)

(groaning)

-MAN: Bravo!
-(cheering and applause)

Yeah! Yeah!

Macbeth is dead!

Yeah!

(cheering)

Yeah!

(cheering and applause continue)

VIRGINIA:
All hail the king.

You're here.

Not your most
intelligent observation.

May I?

They just brought
the house down.

Why aren't you in there?

This is their show now.

Modesty, Mr. Welles.
(exhales)

I'm not sure it suits you.

The only thing
we wholly own...

are our failures.

It's good.

You know,
you might just be the artist

I thought I married after all.

What's next?

I don't know.

A film?

Oh, yeah?

You think the movies will
ever replace the radio?

(distant chatter)

Congratulations, Orson.

(Orson exhales)

Now, I want to go enjoy
that celebration,

even if you don't want to.

After all...

it was my idea.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

-(rattle shaking)
-(soft drumbeat)

♪

REPORTER:
The Negro Theater Unit

of the Federal Theatre
Project produced

a highly-successful version
of Shakespeare's

immortal tragedy Macbeth,

which far exceeded
its scheduled run in New York

and was later sent
on a tour of the country.

The scene was changed
from Scotland to Haiti,

but the spirit of Macbeth
and every line in the play

has remained intact.

In this contribution
to the American theater,

and in other projects
under the Works program,

we have set our feet on the road
toward a brighter future.

And I care not
if thou dost for me as much.

"Fear not, till Birnam Wood

do come to Dunsinane,"

and now a wood comes
toward Dunsinane.

(triumphant music)

Arm, arm, and out!

There is nor flying hence
nor tarrying here!

I 'gin to be aweary of the sun,

and wish the estate
o' the world were now undone!

Ring the alarum-bell!

-(clanging)
-(trumpet blaring)

Blow, wind! Come, wrack!

At least we'll die
with harness on our backs!

What's he that was not
born of woman?

Such a one am I
to fear, or none.

Let me find him, fortune.

Tyrant, show thy face!

I cannot strike
at wretched kerns,

whose arms are hired
to bear their staves.

If thou be'st slain
and with no stroke of mine,

my wife and children's ghost
will haunt me still!

What is thy name?

(explosion)

(cackling)

My name's Macbeth!

Turn, hellhound, turn!

Of all men else,
I have avoided thee,

but get thee back;
my soul is too much charged

with blood of thine already!

Then yield thee, coward,

and live to be the show
and the gaze o' time.

We'll have thee,
as our rarer monsters are,

painted upon a pole,
and underwrit,

"Here may you see the tyrant"!

I will not yield!

Though Birnam Wood be
come to Dunsinane,

yet I will try the last!

I have no words!

(explosions)

Lay on, Macduff.

And damn'd be he
who first cries, "Hold, enough!"

(cackling)

Thou losest labor,

for I bear a charmed life,

which must not yield
to one of woman born.

Despair thy charm!

And let the angel
whom thou still hast served

tell thee, Macduff was
from his mother's womb

-untimely ripp'd.
-(witches cackling)

Accursed be the tongue
that tells me so!

Aah!

And be these juggling fiends...

no more believed.

(screaming, wailing)

Hail, king!

(music and drums)

ALL:
Hail, king!

Behold, where stands
the usurper's cursed head:

the time is free.

-All hail Malcolm.
-Peace!

The charm's... wound up.

(drumming)

(applause)

♪

(music ends)