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IMDbPro

Prospero's Books

  • 19911991
  • RR
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
6.4K
YOUR RATING
John Gielgud, Isabelle Pasco, Mark Rylance, and Michael Clark in Prospero's Books (1991)
The magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.
Play trailer1:14
1 Video
30 Photos
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
The magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.The magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.The magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
6.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Greenaway
  • Writers
    • William Shakespeare(play "The Tempest")
    • Peter Greenaway
  • Stars
    • John Gielgud
    • Michael Clark
    • Michel Blanc
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Greenaway
  • Writers
    • William Shakespeare(play "The Tempest")
    • Peter Greenaway
  • Stars
    • John Gielgud
    • Michael Clark
    • Michel Blanc
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 85User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Trailer

    Photos30

    Prospero's Books (1991)
    John Gielgud in Prospero's Books (1991)
    John Gielgud in Prospero's Books (1991)
    John Gielgud in Prospero's Books (1991)
    Prospero's Books (1991)
    Prospero's Books (1991)
    Prospero's Books (1991)
    Prospero's Books (1991)
    Prospero's Books (1991)
    Pierre Bokma in Prospero's Books (1991)
    Ute Lemper in Prospero's Books (1991)
    John Gielgud in Prospero's Books (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Prosperoas Prospero
    Michael Clark
    • Calibanas Caliban
    Michel Blanc
    Michel Blanc
    • Alonsoas Alonso
    Erland Josephson
    Erland Josephson
    • Gonzaloas Gonzalo
    Isabelle Pasco
    Isabelle Pasco
    • Mirandaas Miranda
    Tom Bell
    Tom Bell
    • Antonioas Antonio
    Kenneth Cranham
    Kenneth Cranham
    • Sebastianas Sebastian
    Mark Rylance
    Mark Rylance
    • Ferdinandas Ferdinand
    Gerard Thoolen
    Gerard Thoolen
    • Adrianas Adrian
    Pierre Bokma
    Pierre Bokma
    • Franciscoas Francisco
    Jim van der Woude
    • Trinculoas Trinculo
    Michiel Romeyn
    Michiel Romeyn
    • Stephanoas Stephano
    Orpheo
    • Arielas Ariel
    Paul Russell
    • Arielas Ariel
    James Thierrée
    • Arielas Ariel
    • (as James Thiérrée)
    Emil Wolk
    • Arielas Ariel
    Marie Angel
    • Irisas Iris
    Ute Lemper
    Ute Lemper
    • Ceresas Ceres
    • Director
      • Peter Greenaway
    • Writers
      • William Shakespeare(play "The Tempest")
      • Peter Greenaway
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Prospero was Sir John Gielgud's favorite stage role and he had attempted to mount a movie of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" for decades, contacting Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa, and Ingmar Bergman about directing, and Welles and Albert Finney about playing Caliban. The version with Welles directing and playing Caliban was in preparation until the financial failure of Welles' and Gielgud's movie of Falstaff (1966) forced the project to fall through, where it laid dormant until Gielgud finally convinced Peter Greenaway to make this version.
    • Alternate versions
      The German DVD version has two title cards before the opening credits explaining prior events and the premise of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Paradise/Livin' Large/The Fisher King/The Indian Runner (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Prospero's Magic
      Written by Michael Nyman

    User reviews85

    Review
    Top review
    Scrumptious
    This is without doubt my favourite film. Greenaway creates such depths of lushness that each frame could be hung up and enjoyed by itself. Like lake sailing, it's quiet riches are not for everyone, but I do use it as a litmus test for my potential friends. This was the role Geilgud was born for.
    helpful•8
    2
    • crayon
    • Aug 2, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 30, 1991 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Netherlands
      • France
      • Italy
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • AlloFlix
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 魔法師的寶典
    • Filming locations
      • Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
    • Production companies
      • Allarts
      • Cinéa
      • Caméra One
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £1,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,750,301
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $34,728
      • Nov 17, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,750,301
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

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    John Gielgud, Isabelle Pasco, Mark Rylance, and Michael Clark in Prospero's Books (1991)
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