Roman Polanski has the capacity to shock. Amongst present day directors, Polanski has a unique eye for casual violence, stark cruelty and believable horror. Macbeth, the darkest and most brooding of Shakespeare's texts, is vividly brought to life by Polanski in portrayal of ruthless ambition and murder. With Jon Finch in the titular role, Polanski's MacBeth is the most chilling and terrifyingly realistic interpretation of the classic.