The magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.
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Title: Prospero's Books (1991)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Gielgud | ... | Prospero | |
 |
Michael Clark | ... | Caliban |
| Michel Blanc | ... | Alonso | |
| Erland Josephson | ... | Gonzalo | |
| Isabelle Pasco | ... | Miranda | |
| Tom Bell | ... | Antonio | |
| Kenneth Cranham | ... | Sebastian | |
| Mark Rylance | ... | Ferdinand | |
| Gerard Thoolen | ... | Adrian | |
| Pierre Bokma | ... | Francisco | |
|
|
Jim van der Woude | ... | Trinculo |
| Michiel Romeyn | ... | Stephano | |
|
|
Orpheo | ... | Ariel |
|
|
Paul Russell | ... | Ariel |
|
|
James Thierrée | ... | Ariel (as James Thiérrée) |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Storyline
An exiled magician finds an opportunity for revenge against his enemies muted when his daughter and the son of his chief enemy fall in love in this uniquely structured retelling of the 'The Tempest'. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
Plot Keywords:
nudity | shakespeare adaptation | book | urination | shakespeare's the tempest |Taglines:
A magician's spell, the innocence of young love and a dream of revenge unite to create a tempest.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 August 1991 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
A Última Tempestade See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
GBP1,500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$34,728, 17 November 1991Gross USA:
$1,750,301Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$1,750,301Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
"The Book of Motion" notably features Caliban (Michael Clark), Prospero's (Sir John Gielgud's) main antagonist on the island. See more »Alternate Versions
The German DVD version has two title cards before the opening credits explaining prior events and the premise of the film. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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This is Peter Greenaway's most humane and enthralling feature, a visual tour-de-force which re-interprets Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' through the books of magic with which Prospero creates his realm. Sir John Gielgud gives a moving, heartfelt farewell performance in the title role, Michael Clarke is a sinuous, demonic Caliban, and Michael Nyman's score is fittingly triumphant. One sequence - the Masque - even turns the film into an opera.
Although the visuals are overloaded to a level of decadence rarely seen on film, it is always with a purpose. One quibble; Prospero's overlaying of his own voice on the characters makes some of the dialogue difficult to follow, especially if you are unfamiliar with the source material. The film demands to be seen on a wide screen.