Prospero's Books

R

Released Nov 15, 1991

2h 1m

Drama

Fantasy

List

62%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

Shakespeare's exiled duke (John Gielgud) tells his tale in calligraphy in this version of "The Tempest."

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Critics Consensus

There is no middle ground for viewers of Peter Greenaway's work, but for his fans, Prospero's Books is reliably daring.

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Variety Staff

Variety

The product of a feverish, overflowing imagination, this almost impossibly dense take on The Tempest displays both the director's audacious brilliance and lewd extravagance at full tilt.

Jul 3, 2008

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Gone is any sense of drama or character; the cluttered spectacle yields no overriding design but simply disconnected MTV-like conceits or mini-ideas every three seconds.

Jul 3, 2008

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

To some degree, the relentless proliferation of ideas smothers the dramatic highs and lows, but this is a minor quibble compared to the sheer ambition and audacity of the overall conception.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

The film's high-culture chic is certified by the endless stream of writhing, naked bodies -- Cecil B. De Mille must be drooling in his grave -- and the vivid optical effects keep you alert even as the story fails to grip.

Rated: 2/4

May 8, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Prospero's Books is alarming megalomania and self-serving fantasy on a grand scale. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 9, 2022

Full Review

TV Guide

Does it work? That depends on whether you find Greenaway's elaborate visual conceits and rarified narrative structures daring and liberating, or boringly self-indulgent.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 3, 2008

Full Review

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Audience Member

William Shakespeare's play of the Tempest is adapted by director Peter Greenaway This is the story of Prospero's past and his revenge... A magician/duke named Prospero was banished from his coveted library to an island He only has his daughter with him as comfort Yet he finds revenge in writing a story narrating each of the characters But the snag is that his daughter, Miranda starts to fall in love with the son of his chief enemy named Ferdinand The movie is most ostensibly known for its use of nudity throughout but it draws inspiration from many Renaissance paintings Yet the nude actors and extras represent a cross-section of male and female humanity So it's more for poetic storytelling purposes than being erogenous It's a visual splendor no doubt and there's massive attention to detail reciting Shakespeare's play It will work or won't for viewers depending on whether you find Greenaway's elaborate visual conceits and rarified narrative structures daring and liberating, or boringly self-indulgent No middle ground for sure but for fans of this late poet they will get their fill

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

robert m

Whoa! This is mind-bending stuff. A cult classic. It's not Shakespeare as told in junior high school but it wil take you inside of Prospero's mind. Enjoy the trip.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

John Gielgud reading Shakespeare as only he can, along with dizzying visuals. what more could one ask for ?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm not sure Shakespeare intended The Tempest to have this much nudity of overproduced artistic scenery, but it is still an enjoyable ride.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

(G) 8.1 [Peter Greenaway]

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Collaborating with Michael Nyman andSacha Vierny once again, Peter Greenaway creates a stunningly beautiful and creative reinterpretation of Shakespeare. While it does reach beyond its scope from time to time -- this is a bold and sensual art film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Peter Greenaway

Director

John Gielgud

Prospero

Michael Clark

Caliban

Michel Blanc

Alonso

Erland Josephson

Gonzalo

Isabelle Pasco

Miranda

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Ridicule

80%

84%

Ridicule

Artemisia

67%

64%

Artemisia

Smoke

88%

89%

Smoke

Restoration

71%

58%

Restoration

The Day Reagan Was Shot

60%

70%

The Day Reagan Was Shot

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Synopsis

Shakespeare's exiled duke (John Gielgud) tells his tale in calligraphy in this version of "The Tempest."

Director: Peter Greenaway
Producer: Kees Kasander
Screenwriter: William Shakespeare, Peter Greenaway
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1991, Original
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Surround

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