BBC Shakespeare: The Tempest

BBC Shakespeare: The Tempest is a 1980 television film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest. The film is a part of the BBC Television Shakespeare project, a series of adaptations of all 37 of Shakespeare's plays. This series, which was broadcast on BBC Two over a span of six years from December 1978, was the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the BBC.

The adaptation of The Tempest, a comedy often described as Shakespeare’s final solo work, was brought to the small screen by the skilled hands of director John Gorrie. Distinguished British actor Michael Hordern portrays Prospero, viewed as one of Shakespeare's most nuanced characters - a deposed duke banished to a virtually uninhabited island, who uses his magical powers to control spirits and influence the natural world for his purposes.

Michael Hordern is known for his remarkable acting career over several decades in the theatre, on television and in film. His portrayal of Prospero embodies the character’s gradual transformation from an angry and vengeful man to a forgiving and magnanimous one, offering an exquisite rendition of the role. Hordern delivers the character’s lines with remarkable clarity and precision and his profound understanding of the nuances of the character is clearly evident.

Opposite Hordern is Derek Godfrey in the role of Antonio, Prospero's treacherous brother who usurped his dukedom. Derek Godfrey's performance is emphatically conniving, presenting Antonio as the self-serving, power-hungry character that Shakespeare intended.

David Waller brings to life the role of Alonso, King of Naples. Waller's interpretation of the character realistically portrays Alonso's remorse for his past actions against Prospero and his subsequent search for redemption, thus bringing depth to the character.

Director John Gorrie's vision emphasizes the magical elements of The Tempest, drawing upon the potential of television to create the illusion of magic and spirit presence convincingly. The special effects and the use of sound to create an aural landscape give an ethereal quality to the island setting, complementing the magical narrative.

In this adaptation, the supernatural plays an important role as the story's driving force. The spirit Ariel, portrayed by Pippa Guard, is shown as being close to nature and serving Prospero loyally but longs for her freedom. The monstrous Caliban, interpreted by Warren Clarke, represents the primitive and instinctual aspect of humanity, offering an interesting juxtaposition to Ariel's ethereality.

The visual aesthetic of this film is a testament to the period of its production. The costumes blend Elizabethan fashion with elements that suggest the freshness and natural wilderness of the island setting. The set design and the cinematography work together to create a sense of space that aids in the understanding of the characters' relationships with each other and their environment.

The accompanying music score, composed by Stephen Oliver, beautifully underscores the various moods of the scenes, whether they're filled with dramatic confrontations, reflective soliloquies, or comedic escapades. It further augments the feeling of enchantment that pervades the entire narrative.

BBC Shakespeare: The Tempest effectively takes one of Shakespeare's most fantastical plays and paints a vivid portrait of conflicting themes such as revenge and forgiveness, enslavement and freedom, civilization and nature, illusion and reality. The beautifully written characters explore the very essence of what it means to be human.

Performance-wise, all the actors are brilliantly cast, each delivering their roles excellently, resulting in an engaging and emotionally resonant experience. It stands as a testament to the power of well-performed Shakespeare, where the text comes alive in the hands of a skilled cast under a capable director like Gorrie.

Through this adaptation, The Tempest reaffirms its timeless qualities and relevance in modern times. It is a must-watch for any fan of Shakespeare, and even for those just beginning to explore his wonderfully rich body of works. This film stands as an important contribution to the project of adapting Shakespeare's works for television, making classic literature accessible and enjoyable to a broader audience.