The Tempest (TV 1960)

Prospero, the deposed King of Milan who lives in exile on a remote island as a sorcerer uses his powers to shipwreck his usurper brother on the island.

Director:

George Schaefer

Writers:

John Edward Friend (adaptation), William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Maurice Evans, Richard Burton, Lee Remick

Cast

Credited cast:
Maurice Evans	...	Prospero
Richard Burton	...	Caliban
Lee Remick	...	Miranda
Roddy McDowall	...	Ariel
Liam Redmond	...	Gonzalo
William Bassett	...	Ferdinand (as William H. Bassett)
Ronald Radd	...	Stephano
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paul Ballantyne	...	Sebastian
Chris Gampel	...	The Boatswain
William LeMassena	...	Antonio
Geoffrey Lumb	...	Alonso
Tom Poston	...	Trinculo

Storyline

Prospero, the deposed King of Milan who lives in exile on a remote island as a sorcerer uses his powers to shipwreck his usurper brother on the island.

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Plot Keywords:

island | shipwreck | usurper | king | exile | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

George Schaefer's Showcase Theatre: The Tempest

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compass Productions, George Schaefer's Showcase Theater, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Re-staged from 3-2-60 (eps 9.4).

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Connections

Version of The Tempest (1998)

User Reviews

For Children

This is a production for Junior High students. The text has been bowlderized (all `improper' material is excised), all the language has been simplified so that no obscure words are used, and non-essential plot devices are eliminated. As an example of the last is any mention of Claribel, the daughter from whose marriage in Tunis they return from.

The production is of a play, shot by one video camera. Costumes are fantastic, but with the anachronism that Prospero wears Ben Franklin specs. The sets are minimalist and mildly interesting. The whole effect has more of a junior educational tone than one which unleashes the power of the play.

Some well-known actors are employed, and that is the only remarkable thing about this affair, and that only as passing curiosity.

The Sebastian is a doofus from several TeeVee comedies. The Ariel is the `Psycho' guy, Roddie McDowell, which gives a strange air to his performance. The Caliban is Richard Burton, heavily disguised. Such an actor! This is from a period during which he describes himself as a hopeless, continual drunk who had sex with countless partners with great emphasis on costars. Makes you constantly aware of the Miranda, here Lee Remick, and whether the sexual approach in the play was mirrored in real life and what happened.