Prospero's Books (1991)

The magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.

Director:

Peter Greenaway

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Peter Greenaway

Stars:

John Gielgud, Michael Clark, Michel Blanc

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

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)

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'.

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Plot Keywords:

nudity | shakespeare adaptation | book | urination | shakespeare's the tempest | 

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Taglines:

A magician's spell, the innocence of young love and a dream of revenge unite to create a tempest.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive nudity

Details

Country:

UK Netherlands France Italy Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 August 1991 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Última Tempestade

Filming Locations:

UK

Box Office

Budget:

£1,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,750,301

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allarts, Cinéa, Caméra One

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the first movies to use HDTV technology. This movie specifically utilized an early analogue high-definition process called "Hi-Vision", developed by the Japanese group NHK.

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Alternate Versions

The German DVD version has two title cards before the opening credits explaining prior events and the premise of the film.

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Connections

Version of Whatever Next?: Episode #1.6 (1969)

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Soundtracks

Prospero's Magic
Written by Michael Nyman

User Reviews

A visually astonishing celebration of Shakespeare

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.