Orson Welles was so keen to make this film that he had to agree to shoot it in 23 days using only existing western movie sets. Macbeth ( Welles), Thane of Cawdor, is told by three witches that he will gain the kingdom. His wife, Lady Macbeth (Jeanette Nolan), urges him to hasten the prophecy with the aid of a knife. The original film was cut from over 110 minutes down to 89 but was restored for release onto video; it also had to be re-dubbed as Welles originally had the actors speaking with broad Scottish accents.