Books Directed by Peter Greenaway. Reviewed by Louise Holloway It is surprising to learn that every line of this adaptation of the Tempest Shakespeare's original text, has turned the play into something which is entirely his own.
It has his trademark of the spectacular use of colour and lighting, which has been brilliantly filmed.
The film stars a very regal John Gielgud who stands resplendent over his magical créatures in a pageant of miraculous images.
However as Gielgud speaks mipresent and adds to the film's inaccessibility - not least because because this prevents the other characters from be coming fully developed.
Therefore only Caliban (played by Michael Clarke) comes close to his potential.
Agony
His is a devious creature contorted in agony, played in an amazingly sinister ballet. means that the 'CCP stood above all The stuff that dreams are made on: Miranda sieeps (top left) whlle Callban broods and Prospero tries to flgure out the special offects. Even here though, Greenaway does not go on to explore either "aliban's oppression or the ac ceptance of Prospero's conquest of the Island. vious The Coek, The Thier, His Unlike Greenaway's Wife and Her Lover', this film does not aim to shock. Very few left the cinema I was in before the end.
However, like his previous work, prepare for a visual feast, but do not expect to be able to sit back and relax.
It is hard to follow Gielgua's every word and the chronology of the plot. At times it is frustrating if you don't know the text of the play inside-out, but it is a rewarding experience in the end.
of production.