Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12058 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-02-16
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 91 minutes

Synopsis
Despite being radically unconventional, late auteur Derek Jarman's 1979 film has been hailed as one of the most successful adaptations of the Bard's works by several Shakespeare scholars. Jarman removes much of the dialogue, instead carrying the story with his trademark haunting images, lit mostly by fire and the moon. Using the prevalent English punk sensibility of the time, he also employs undertones of closeted gay society. Poet Heathcote Williams plays the banished Prospero with a frustrated intensity, while Karl Johnson is the sprite-like Ariel. Together on a remote island, they become prisoners of a dark fantasy realm filled with secret signs and codes, where they attempt to use magic to turn the world into a more spiritually satisfying place. Meanwhile, Prospero's daughter, Miranda (Toyah Willcox), wanders the halls of his foreboding fortress, outrageously costumed in a stunning combination of period and punk tatters as she draws strangers into her home while longing for freedom. Shot on location at Stoneleigh Abbey, Jarman's film creates a dreamlike world within each room that is lushly lit and decadent in its wasteful decay. As the tale progresses, Prospero's illusions become false realities, culminating in a sumptuous wedding feast that features a Busby Berkeley-like performance of sailors dancing as Elisabeth Welch sings "Stormy Weather."

Customer Reviews

Jarman brings glamour to Shakespeare - a must see
Finally a UK DVD release for this brilliant adaptation of The Tempest.

Fans of Jarman will recognise a few faces from his 'Jubilee' a few years before, in particular Toyah Willcox, who at the time was just starting out in the rock world, puts in an enviable performance as Prospero's daughter Miranda and this aside from her more recent theatre work is her best performance - notably winning her a best newcomer nomination at the time.

It was brave of Jarman to have seen a potential Miranda from the orange haired punk pyromaniac of Jubilee and thank goodness he did. Heathcote Williams is a convincing prospero holding order over his monstrous servant Caliban (Orlando) who fancies the island for himself, only to end up looking rather drunken and foolish with Christopher Biggins (well who wouldn't!).

If you are expecting a traditional Shakespearian luvvy type film you may be dissapointed. Jarmans's film really does capture the 'sounds and sweet airs' of the island, with the eeriness dramatically contrasted by some brilliant moments such as Elisabeth Welch's amazing finale of 'Stormy Weather' possibly the beautifully campest thing ever seen in Shakespeare.

Let's hope this sparks more of the very much missed Jarman on DVD, and also that it reminds people that Toyah is much more than just 'that woman who sang It's A Mystery'. A beautiful film.

Disappointment reigns!
I expected great things from this film having read the reviews but boy! was I disappointed? The greatest thing about Shakespeare is the language and at times this was almost unrecognisable and overall the whole thing was very slow. The raucous laughter of Christpher Biggins' character drowned out everyone else except Caliban who really was an uncouth monster (a good performance).Prospero conjuring up the storm in his sleep could barely be heard and the scenes were so DARK! I dislike filming in the dark to try to give atmosphere rather than actual performances and the setting was practically obscured because of this. The costumes were unusual and added to the outre feeling. I had heard of Derek Jarman before but he is (or was)not for me. The characters all seemed to be miming to a previously recorded soundtrack and if this was intended it succeeded very well. I thought that Toyah Wilcox was great but her performance was wasted because of the attempt at feyness by the director. The whole thing was more like a very dark nightmare than a fairy tale, again it succeeded very well if this was the intent. I have left Ariel to last because I have played this character and the beautiful poetry I loved was almost lost in performance by weird phrasing. The best thing was Prosperos' final speech which fulfilled its design. If you like cinema noir you might enjoy this, I didn't.

Ghastly, awful, a complete travesty
I found nothing to appeal in this 'Tempest' adaptation. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the staging. It turned a magical and appealing play into a slow, disagreeable, agonising torture. It was almost impossible to follow the plot, much less make sense of the characters or the major issues explored in such depth in this last play of Shakespeare's. It's such a shame. What a waste of talent.