The small number of reviewers here to date seem to be struggling to summarise the effect that this production has had on them. That is the only consensus: it does not appear to be possible to judge how "good" or "bad" Brook's interpretation of this extraordinary piece of work really is. I don't think I've ever sat through an equivalent film as heavily and relentlessly bleak and demanding as this, without turning away through boredom or switching off in irritation. My constant preoccupation was how this would have been received by the original audience. Could this have been called entertainment? What was Shakespeare thinking of? This is a merciless vision of life's meaningless cruelty, and the animal savagery that underlies humanity's drives and ambitions. Other productions may compete with it. I was greatly impressed by Olivier's version. But anyone with more than a passing interest in the wheel of fire owes it to himself, or herself, not to miss this exceptional picture.
