The Tempest

1h 35m 1979

Brief Synopsis

An experimental and anachronistic adaptation of William Shakespeare's play which casts the mad Prospero as a struggling artist desperate to transform his bleak world into something more spriritually satisfying.

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Tempest, The (1979) -- (Movie Clip) Hell Is Empty
Tempest, The (1979) -- (Movie Ciip) The Goddess On Whom These Airs Attend

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Release Date
1979

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 35m
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)

Synopsis

Prospero, a potent necromancer, 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 vessel 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.

Videos

Movie Clip

Tempest, The (1979) -- (Movie Clip) Hell Is Empty Openly gay director Derek Jarman's unorthodox opening to his controversial 1979 treatment of what is generally considered Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest, 1979, Heathcote Williams as the magician Prospero, Karl Johnson his familiar spirit Ariel.
Tempest, The (1979) -- (Movie Ciip) The Goddess On Whom These Airs Attend Prospero (Heathcote Williams), with his familiar Ariel (Karl Johnson), comes upon naked sleeping Ferdinand (David Meyer), whom he's caused to come ashore, to meet his daughter Miranda (Toyah Willcox), in director Derek Jarman's famously homoerotic 1979 version of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Release Date
1979

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 35m
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)

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