The Tempest

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

Prospero, a potent magician, 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 vassal 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.

• Release date
• September 13, 1979
• Runtime
• 95 min
• Genres
• Drama, Fantasy
• Director
• Derek Jarman

Cast

Heathcote Williams Prospero, the Right Duke of Milan Toyah Willcox Miranda, his daughter Karl Johnson Ariel, an airy spirit

J

Jack Birkett Caliban, a savage and deformed slave Peter Bull Alonso, the King of Naples David Meyer Ferdinand, his son

N

Neil Cunningham Sebastian, his brother Richard Warwick Antonio, his brother