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Prospero's Books

Play trailer Poster for Prospero's Books R Released Nov 15, 1991 2h 1m Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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62% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Shakespeare's exiled duke (John Gielgud) tells his tale in calligraphy in this version of "The Tempest."
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Prospero's Books

Prospero's Books

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Masonik A Probably one of the greatest films ever made... ironically based on a play. everything I want in film is here! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Ridicule 80% 83% Ridicule Watchlist Johnny Suede 27% 47% Johnny Suede Watchlist Smoke 88% 89% Smoke Watchlist Restoration 71% 58% Restoration Watchlist Artemisia 67% 64% Artemisia Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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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