Prospero's Books is a 1991 British
fantasy drama film, written and directed by
Peter Greenaway, is a cinematic adaptation of
The Tempest, by
William Shakespeare.
John Gielgud is
Prospero, the protagonist who provides the off-screen narration and the voices to the other story characters. Stylistically,
Prospero's Books is narratively and cinematically innovative in its techniques, combining
mime, dance, opera, and
animation. Edited in Japan, the film makes extensive (and pioneering) use of digital image manipulation (using
Hi-Vision video inserts and the
Paintbox system), often overlaying multiple moving and still pictures with animations.
Michael Nyman composed the musical score and
Karine Saporta choreographed the dance. The film is also notable for its extensive use of nudity, reminiscent of
Renaissance paintings of mythological characters. The nude actors and extras represent a cross-section of male and female humanity.