The Tempest and Film

The Tempest is analyzed in many different ways. When we look through the eyes of a director of Film we are seeing their interpretations of this piece of literature. When we consider these interpretations art and not fact there is a very interesting occurrence. We start seeing the text as a material and the interpretation (in this case Film) as the creation.

I enjoyed researching the different types of productions that have been done of The Tempest. One very interesting interpretation is that of director Peter Greenaway. His film entitled "Pospero's Books"

With many different images based upon, but not necessarily given by, The Tempest this film is criticized a great deal questioning its validity. However, popular critic Roger Ebert states;

"Prospero's Books really exists outside criticism. All I can do is describe it. Most of the reviews of this film have missed the point; this is not a narrative, it need not make sense, and it is not 'too difficult' because it could not have been any less so. It is simply a work of original art, which Greenaway asks us to accept or reject on his own terms." - Roger Ebert ***

http://petergreenaway.co.uk/prospero.htm