Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned – that’s what I got from Julie Taymor‘s adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Movie buffs who are not into Shakespearean language beware because the film is spoken in this beautiful but at times confusing language. My only foray into Shakespeare was via Romeo and Juliet – a text I HAD to read and was tested on at high school. That though, was where the love began – my love for Shakespeare’s plays. I have always loved his witty ways of combining drama, good vs evil, love and comedy, all in one book – much like the dramas on T.V really.
The Tempest, features high profile actors like Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Alan Cumming, Alfred Molina and Djimon Hounsou. While you would need to be in full concentration to appreciate this film, the thing that pulled me in were the beautiful settings and landscapes the film was set in. The four different colours – the black of the ash, the green of the forest, the warm orange of the dunes and the lovely blue of the sea. The costumes were also remarkably beautiful, the colours, contrasts, and detailing that went into it. Having a theatre based director put something onto screen, always makes for a lovely and amazing result.
The Tempest was originally a story about a sorcerer Pospero, who was seeking vengeance on the very people who had banished him. In this adaptation though, the sorcerer is instead changed into a sorceress – played by Helen Mirren whom I thought carried it out perfectly. No thanks to her brother; Antonio, Pospera was banished off her own land with her daughter, Miranda, where she finally landed on an island so empty, yet full of beautiful things that nature had to offer. It is through this journey of vengeance that we see a lot of magical effects – so beautiful and I bet would look great on 3D. This is also where we see vengeance turn to forgiveness – something most women are capable of doing. All this thanks to the love that is borne between her enemy’s son – Prince Ferdinand and her daughter Miranda. A love so pure, so real and so untouched that it changes the course of things. Much like Romeo and Juliet’s love only without the tragic ending.
I could go on and on about the film, but I think I’ll leave that to the Shakespearean fans, theatre enthusiasts and literary buffs! The film is now out on DVD for $39.95 and I think would make a great gift for any high brow film buff. I surprisingly enjoyed watching this film, albeit finding it hard to take in both the magical scenes, learn the back story and trying to understand the language. The great thing about this DVD is the fact that it comes with a commentary from both the director, Julie Taymor and Shakespeare experts. The commentary from Taymore explains why certain scenes were there and made that way, which was really interesting, especially the bit where Russell Brand makes an appearance. Then, there’s also the documentary of the making of The Tempest. That was another part I enjoyed – finding out how the film came about, what they had to go through to make it – just makes you appreciate the film a lot more.
Thanks to the people at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, I’ve got a copy of The Tempest to give away. To win this amazing film, simply tell us, something from Shakespeare that you would love to see made on screen and why. The best answer – according to me wins! So remember, you have to convince me WHICH text and WHY. I know there are many out there that have already been made, but be creative, maybe you’d like to see it re-made?
Some terms & conditions
- This competition opens from today, 20th November 2011 to the 4th December 2011 10pm AEDST.
- It is only open to Australian Residents.
- ONE entry per person.
- Any entry deemed unsuitable WILL be deleted and disqualified at my digression.
- Once the winner has been announced and contacted, they have to respond within a week or a new winner will be picked. So remember to check your junk mail just in case it gets sent there!!
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