The tempest adaptations and transformations essay example. It is the play where shakespeare shows that he knew how good he was. Famed stage director julie taymor adapted shakespeares play for the screen with one significant twist. Julie taymors 2010 film of the tempest offers a decidedly expression istic representation of the storm at. In julie taymor s version of the tempest, the main character is now a woman named prospera. Going back to the 16th or 17th century, women practicing the magical arts of alchemy were often convicted of witchcraft. Dec 19, 2010 a somber scene in julie taymor s the tempest the character image continually enhanced by cgi is ariel, prosperas airy bondsman. These differences include how taymor s decision to change prosperos gender affects the actions and reactions of other characters.
Her interpretation of the play can be seen as flawed in the many changes she made. Screen magic in greenaways prosperos books and taymors. This is definitely the case of julie taymors recent film the tempest 2010, which partially alters the structure of shakespeares last solo play, but also actively. For instance, when caliban first approaches prospera and miranda, he is crawling among the rocks like an animal stalking its prey. Shakespeares the tempest is a favorite for radical. Aug 27, 2020 over a decade after titus, julie taymor embarked upon her second film adaptation of shakespeares work, his final masterpiece, the tempest. In this version, the gender of the main character, prospero, is changed from male to female. Julie taymors the tempest 2010 resistance and power. Starting in the 19th century, the tempest became a favorite, and is staged regularly today. I think 1984 was my first tempest offbroadway, and it was my first shakespeare to direct. Consider using it as you compose your appraisal of the selected scene.
She also directed titus, frida, and across the universe. Dec 10, 2010 in the face of the tempest, the stormy tragicomedy of rage, romance and redemption that is among shakespeares last and greatest works, julie taymor, a filmmaking savant of extraordinary. The tempest by julie taymor, helen mirren, felicity jones. A tale of two shakespeares in julie taymors tempest jstor. With the use of digital effects, jump cuts, and the addition of a somewhat cacophonous soundtrack, taymor s film illustrates the magical and mystical elements brought to bear on the lives of the characters. Julie taymor is an academy awardnominated director, known for such films as frida 2002 and across the universe 2007. The tale concerns the wizard prosperos decision to leave a remote island in order to resume his role as the duke of milanand, in the process, give up his magic powers. Julie taymor, american stage and film director, playwright, and costume designer known for her inventive use of masks and puppets.
We will be talking about two very different adaptations of shakespeares play the tempest. Adapted from the play by william shakespeare new york. Essays for the tempest film the tempest film essays are academic essays for citation. The tempest 2010 comedy, drama, fantasy julie taymor helen mirren, felicity jones, djimon hounsou.
Taymor, julie, shakespeare, william, bate, jonathan. By contrast, this adaptation of the tempest has better pacing, better acting, and has a more dynamic sense of tone. Helen mirren as prospera in julie taymor s the tempest. I rewatched this right after rewatching julie taymor s titus which i found difficult to sit through again. Julie taymor books list of books by author julie taymor. I had no idea what shakespeare in studs was when it came through my newsfeeds so i skipped it at first. Julie taymors adaptations of shakespeares titus and. This first analysis focuses on a comparative study between the play the tempest by william shakespeare and the 2010 film version of that play directed and written by julie taymor. The book of the tempest is both a handsome edition of julie taymors eminently readable adaptation of shakespeares play and a stunning visual narrative of her new film, which stars helen mirren as prospera, the magicianalchemist in a bold, genderswitched realization. The book of the tempest is both a handsome edition of julie taymors eminently readable adaptation of shakespeares play and a stunning visual narrative of. Feb 20, 2018 in julie taymors adaptation of the tempest by william shakespeare, the tempest, she changes many aspects from the original play, as well as enhanced some. Some of her most popular projects included the longrunning broadway production of disneys the lion king, for which she won a. In taymor s version, prospera is usurped by her brother and sent off with her fouryear daughter on a ship. Mar 27, 1986 enchantment is the business of the tempest and the theater for a new audience has gone great distances even to classical japanese theater and the italian commedia dellarte to provide it.
Julie taymors faithful film version 2010 of the tempest brings seamless cgi dramatizations and high production values to the original shakespeare play. The tempest, a film by julie taymor, now open in select theaters. One of shakespeares greatest and most popular plays, the tempest begs to be visualized by a master fi. You do not have to insist with the tempest, because it is a play that puts all assertion behind it and is content to cast its magic staff into the sea.
Julie taymor s film adaptation of william shakespeares the tempest contains many alterations from the play. Taymors titus, frida and across the universe, is technically a movie, its heart belongs to the same stretch of broadway where tourists flock to the lion. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The most noticeable one is her choice to genderswap the protagonist, prospero, a male, into prospera, a female played by helen mirren. But julie taymor in her film the tempest, adapted from shakespeares play of the same name, creates a place for the mother, in this case, by turning the male sorcerer prospero to a female mother prospera, endowed with the same magical powers that prospero commanded. Her father, melvin lester taymor, was a gynecologist. But she was shows mercy and sent away on a small craft upon the ocean waters that lead her to an isolated island.
Julie taymor juggles spiderman, the tempest, the magic. Julie taymors the tempest 2010 resistance and power of. Julie taymor s faithful film version 2010 of the tempest brings seamless cgi dramatizations and high production values to the original shakespeare play. But julie taymor in her film the tempest, adapted from shakespeares play of the same name, creates a place for the mother, in this case, by. Julie taymors adaptation of william shakespeares, the tempest. Prospera has been pushed out of her home in milan by her brother antonio who had her sent to death. There were high hopes for julie taymors the tempest. Sep 08, 2014 in julie taymor s film adaptation of shakespeares the tempest, caliban is given very animalistic qualities that are illustrated through his body language and facial expressions. The epilogue in julie taymors tempest shakespeareflix. Dec, 2010 the old russian saying you cant ruin kasha with butter which i heard from the sage artists komar and melamid comes to mind upon viewing julie taymors the tempest, david denby.
During a questionandanswer period at the new york film festival, taymor explained that she thought a spoken epilogue wouldnt work in film as it does in the theater, where the actor sheds his. Ariel, played by ben whishaw, was added to the film in postproduction, and is entirely greenscreened. One huge mistake in taymor s tempest, in my book, is the overreliance on cg. Despite the differences between the film and the play, which are significant, this film is probably one of the best. For a full castlist and production details see the published screenplay.
The storyline follows the newly coined prospera mirren, an exiled magician who uses her powers to call. Instead of prospero we have prospera, played by the accomplished british actor helen mirren. Julie taymor born december 15, 1952 is an american director and writer of theater, opera and film. Taymor portrays caliban as an african slave born in hawaii who ulti mately achieves, not only his freedom, but dominion over his homeland. In writer, producer, and director julie taymors version of the tempest, the main character is now a woman named prospera dame helen mirren. The story of the tempest is at its core a journey to home. The absence of the mother, may it be in the merchant of venice or in king lear, is a glaring lacuna in his oeuvre that seems unnatural by present standards. As if it were not disappointing enough to produce an intellectually undernourished version of shakespeares late romance, helmer julie taymor has gone one better by crafting a tempest so. Since her stage adaptation of the lion king debuted in 1997, 24 global productions have been seen by more than 100 million people in over 100 cities in 20 countries, on every continent except antarctica, and its worldwide gross exceeds that of any entertainment title in box office history. Jun 04, 2015 in julie taymor s 2010 film adaptation of the tempest, the primary themes listed above are kept intact.
Julie taymors the tempest archives the spooky stuff by. Julie taymor s the tempest explores the way in which the diversification from prospero to prospera influences the audiences viewpoint of characters close to them. Buy the tempest by julie taymor 2010 1101 by julie taymor. Across the universes julie taymor shakes up shakespeare with her adaptation of the tempest, retrofitting the fantastical tale with a female lead, casting academy awardwinning actress helen mirren in what is usually the male role of prospero. The tempest 2010 film by julie taymor librarything. Julie taymors adaptation of william shakespeares, the. Some of her most popular projects included the longrunning broadway production of disneys the lion king, for which she won a tony, and the films frida and across the universe.
The tempest isone of shakespeares enduringly popular and muchstudied later plays. Julie taymors tempest, hawaiian slavery, and the birther. Dec 05, 2010 1 of 3 the tempest director julie taymor and star helen mirren at the 48th new york film festival centerpiece selection north american premiere of the film. She had a track record, having rescued one of shakespeares earliest plays, titus andronicus, from the. Dec 20, 2011 overview across the universe s julie taymor shakes up shakespeare with her adaptation of the tempest, retrofitting the fantastical tale with a female lead, casting academy awardwinning actress helen mirren in what is usually the male role of prospero. Dec 15, 2010 taymor might have turned down the heat. Jan 07, 2011 storyline in writer, producer, and director julie taymors version of the tempest, the main character is now a woman named prospera dame helen mirren. In the film of the tempest, prospera achieves a deep and peculiar connection to her daughter that is contrasting the readers interpretation of the atherdaughter. The film was written and directed by julie taymor and premiered at the venice film festival in september 2010. Shakespeares the tempest is back and in hollywood, from filmmaker julie taymor. Shylock and nazi propaganda, the new york times, john gross, published in april 4, 1993. In a bowcurtsy to taymor s transsexed prospera, ariel ben whishaw is an hermaphrodite sprite, nude, pale white when a male and sexually enticing, breathing into prosperas left ear, gray black with bulging.
Calibanhad tried to violate the honour of miranda, the film informs us at 20. Recently, a film version helmed by visionary director julie taymor of the spirder man musical fame was seen in theatres. The tempest 2010 helen mirren, felicity jones, djimon. About the author julie taymor is is an awardwinning director of theater, opera, and film. In taymors version, prospera is usurped by her brother and sent off with her fouryear daughter on a ship. The introduction has been extended to focus on new scholarship about the plays first production and to take account of major theatre and film versions since first publication in 1999, including julie taymor s 2010 film starring helen mirren. Director julie taymor s 2010 reimagining of shakespeares fantastical play, the tempest, introduces a few major changes to its source material. Yes, those are zippers you see 20101120 20170207 duane i had no idea what shakespeare in studs was when it came through my newsfeeds so i skipped it at first. The tempest is a 2010 american film based on the play of the same name by william shakespeare. Her mother, elizabeth bernstein, was a teacher of political science. Oct 02, 2010 j ulie taymor s new film version of the tempest isnt as disastrous as it could have been, though it does fundamentally fail shakespeares play. Since her stage adaptation of the lion king debuted in 1997, 24 global. Turns out its a wall street journal piece on the costume design for julie taymor s upcoming tempest movie.
Julie taymors the tempest to close venice film festival, the guardian, tuesday 27th july 2010. Elements of taymor s previous 1986 stage production which used some fantastic puppetry lived on in this film and she has wonderful ideas. Dec 12, 2010 the sorceress is prospera, a female version of shakespeares prospero, and the scene is from director julie taymors new film the tempest, starring helen mirren as the noble, exiled magicmaker. See all books authored by julie taymor, including the lion king. In casting an african in this role, one automatically brings to the forefront the obvious themes of colonialization and usurpation that clearly were part of shakespeares worldview, derived from. The tempest directed by julie taymor available on blu. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the tempest film by julie taymor. Apr 29, 2015 eliot goldenthals music is one of the highlights of julie taymor s 2010 film of the play, which ends with the epilogue being sung rather than spoken. It opens with prosperas played by helen mirren backstory of how she neglected her political power as the duke of milan in order to pursue her studies of the esoteric arts to gain power. Jan 01, 2012 the tempest was shakespeares final masterpiece and in a way, this play sums up all of his works and bids farewell to his audience with prosperos final speech. Both roles have undergone a sex change to suit her.
The book of the tempest is both a handsome edition of julie taymor s eminently readable adaptation of shakespeares play and a stunning visual narrative of her new film, which stars helen mirren as prospera, the magicianalchemist in a bold, genderswitched realization. Film sequence from the tempest 2010, directed by julie taymor. The film was written and directed by julie taymor and premiered at the. The book of the tempest is both a handsome edition of julie taymor s eminently readable adaptation of shakespeares play and a stunning visual narrative of her new film, which stars helen mirren as prospera, the magicianalchemist in a bold, genderswitched realization one of shakespeares greatest and most popular plays, the tempest. The most recent version of the tempest by julie taymor changes prospero to prospera, a female figure played by helen mirren. In shakespeares plays mothers mostly remain a shadowpresence with little or no agency of their own, while it is the father figures who dominate and steer the plays to their conclusions. Nov 01, 2010 the book of the tempest is both a handsome edition of julie taymor s eminently readable adaptation of shakespeares play and a stunning visual narrative of her new film, which stars helen mirren as prospera, the magicianalchemist in a bold, genderswitched realization. Julie taymor books list of books by author julie taymor thriftbooks. Screen magic in greenaways prosperos books and taymors the. The book of the tempest is both a handsome edition of julie taymors eminently readable adaptation of shakespeares play and a stunning. Julie taymors adaptations of shakespeares titus and the. In julie taymors version of william shakespeares final masterpiece the tempest, the gender of the traditionally male sorcerer prospero has.
277 346 1311 696 1026 405 211 1552 1393 562 116 9 1324 1402 586 396 178 336 1530 518