It may be useful to keep in mind the following story, possibly apocryphal, when discussing Prospero's Books: a famous practitioner of Far Eastern music was being entertained in Europe and was taken to a concert featuring the music of a Baroque master. Afterwards he was asked how he enjoyed the music. He replied that it was nothing but childish drivel.

If you enjoy Shakespeare, "art", "film-making", music, dance, visual spectacle, and originality, then you will likely enjoy this film at some level. Although difficult to find, Noel Cobb's book Prospero's Island will add greatly to your enjoyment since it contains a very lucid explication of the psychology of The Tempest on which Prospero's Books is based. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the director, Peter Greenaway, read this book as part of the preparation for this film.

I would also like to issue the following challenge: try to detect even one individual among the dozens of actors, extras and dancers in Prospero's Books who does not appear to be completely immersed in the creation of this remarkable film.

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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Magical interpretation misses widescreen, 25 Sep 2000

By A Customer

Prospero's Book's is for me the height of Peter Greenaways'skills. Shakespeare's 'Tempest' transformed into a truely mystical and magical world as it should be in the most picturesque way. Using film to it's fully potential with insent boxes, etc. You wonder sometimes which film you should be watching. Gielgud's performance enhances the magical qualities by giving us a Merlinesque portrayal of Prospero as a man whose already capable powers as Duke of Milan are enhanced by the fabulous and fantastic books that have been sent with him to his fair Isle. The desciptions of which provide entertaining and often humourous interludes to the build up of the well known text of the story and perhaps our book The Tempest. A must see, again and again. Four stars only though as without a widescreen version too much is missing.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars spirited, 10 Jan 2008

By	Michael Scuffil (Germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must admit I don't like Greenaway as a rule, and I find Prospero one of Shakespeare's least appealing characters. But this film is quite extraordinary in all sorts of respects. Nyman's music is fantastic, and used here to good effect (Nyman didn't think so, and broke up with Greenaway as a result, but that's his problem). Ditto Sarah Leonard's singing. An ancient Gielgud is splendid as Prospero. Michael Clark's performance as Caliban has to be seen to be believed. The visuals are unlike anything else you have ever seen. (What sort of casting agency can come up with about 100 people aged from about 5 to about 80, all naked for all of the time? Perhaps they are the members of a naturist club? They play the "spirits" of the island.) The idea of focusing on the Books is original, and developed to good effect. If this film has a weak point, it is Miranda. Isabelle Pasco's acting is wooden (maybe we're spoilt by Toyah Wilcox's performance in Jarman's Tempest film).
Why no DVD? One of the mysteries of modern life.
Incidentally there is a "book of the film" consisting of photos of the cast mostly "off-stage". It's called Prospero's Subjects, was published in Japan and is almost impossible to get hold of. But worth trying.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Prospero's Books
At time of writing, this film has yet to be released on DVD. This is criminal. Flawed and not to all tastes, to be sure. Read more

Published 9 months ago by R. A. Monk

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind: Peter Greenaway's mesmerizing images combined with 86-year-old John Gielgud speaking
Prospero's Books is nothing less than an almost overwhelming feast of images, stuffed with charms, magic and metaphors. Read more

Published on 8 Nov 2007 by C. O. DeRiemer

1.0 out of 5 stars I was glued to my seat...
....which is a real shame, because otherwise I would have left the cinema after 30 minutes of this film! Read more

Published on 5 Nov 2002 by Touring Mars

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