The Tempest (1979)

Prospero, a potent magician, lives on a desolate isle with his virginal daughter, Miranda. He's in exile, banished from his duchy by his usurping brother and the King of Naples. Providence ... See full summary »

Director:

Derek Jarman

Writers:

Derek Jarman, William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Peter Bull, David Meyer, Neil Cunningham

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Bull	...	Alonso, the King of Naples
David Meyer	...	Ferdinand, his son
Neil Cunningham	...	Sebastian, his brother
Heathcote Williams	...	Prospero, the Right Duke of Milan
Toyah Willcox	...	Miranda, his daughter
Richard Warwick	...	Antonio, his brother
Karl Johnson	...	Ariel, an airy spirit
Jack Birkett	...	Caliban, a savage and deformed slave
Christopher Biggins	...	Stephano, a drunken mariner
Peter Turner	...	Trinculo, his friend
Ken Campbell	...	Gonzalo, an honest councillor
Elisabeth Welch	...	A Goddess
Claire Davenport	...	Sycorax
Kate Temple	...	Young Miranda
Helen Wellington-Lloyd	...	A Spirit

Storyline

Prospero, a potent magician, lives on a desolate isle with his virginal daughter, Miranda. He's in exile, banished from his duchy by his usurping brother and the King of Naples. Providence brings these enemies near; aided by his vassal the spirit Ariel, Prospero conjures a tempest to wreck the Italian ship. The king's son, thinking all others lost, becomes Prospero's prisoner, falling in love with Miranda and she with him. Prospero's brother and the king wander the island, as do a drunken cook and sailor, who conspire with Caliban, Prospero's beastly slave, to murder Prospero. Prospero wants reason to triumph, Ariel wants his freedom, Miranda a husband; the sailors want to dance.

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Plot Keywords:

sailor | dance | spirit | island | men dancing together | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1980 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

A vihar

Filming Locations:

Bamburgh Beach, Bamburgh, Northumberland, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Boyd's Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last feature of Elisabeth Welch.

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Quotes

Miranda, his daughter: Oh, how beauteous mankind is. O brave new world that has such people in it!

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Connections

Version of The Tempest (1980)

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Soundtracks

"Stormy Weather"
Written by Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler
Performed by Elisabeth Welch
Arranged by Stephen Pruslin

User Reviews

dreamy bit of queer cinema

Derek Jarman's take on Shakespeare makes it into something of a punk symphony, without sacrificing the heart of the play. His cast are mostly very good – especially Heathcote Williams as Prospero, Toyah as Miranda, and Karl Johnson as Ariel – and the bits that are added fit in well, especially Elisabeth Welch's appearance singing ‘Stormy Weather'.

Comedy light relief is provided by Ken Campbell and Christopher Biggins as the shipwrecked drunks finding themselves on Prospero's enchanted island, with Jack Birkett as a creepy Caliban.

The film keeps the interest by using the unexpected – it may miss the point of the quieter moments of the play but makes up for this by its sheer inventiveness. Even the songs are treated well with Johnson's sharp suited sprite showing a mischievous streak which works perfectly. All this is covered with a queer gloss which informs the play with a new perspective.