The Tempest

The Tempest

Year: 1979

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Derek Jarman

DramaFantasy

Prospero, a magician exiled on a barren island with his daughter Miranda, plots revenge after his brother and the King of Naples shipwreck his crew. With Ariel’s aid he summons a storm that strands Ferdinand, who falls for Miranda. Enslaved Caliban teams with Stephano and a sailor against Prospero. All pursue their goals, leading to reconciliation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Tempest (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Tempest (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 17th century

The events unfold in a period of maritime exploration and royal politics, reflecting the era in which ducal power and court intrigue collide. Prospero, once Duke of Milan, was overthrown and exiled to this island, where his mastery of magic shapes turn of events. The storm, the masque, and the shifting loyalties anchor the narrative in a time of pomp, peril, and revelation.

Location

Prospero's Island

A remote tropical island where Prospero and his daughter Miranda are stranded and where magical beings like Ariel operate. The space alternates between the quiet seasides and the opulent, spell-filled interiors of Prospero's house. It functions as both refuge and theatre, turning into a stage for manipulation, awakening, and reconciliation.

🏝️ Island ✨ Magic

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:57

Main Characters – The Tempest (1979)

Meet the key characters of The Tempest (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alonso (Peter Bull)

King of Naples, shipwrecked on the island during Prospero's storm. He grapples with guilt for past actions against Prospero, and his arc centers on reconciliation with those he wronged. His presence heightens the drama of loyalty, forgiveness, and political consequence.

👑 Royal 😔 Guilt

Ariel (Karl Johnson)

An airy spirit and Prospero's servant who summons the storm and carries out Prospero's commands. He lures Ferdinand, helps orchestrate events, and seeks freedom from servitude, revealing loyalty and a wistful desire for release.

🌬️ Spirit 🗝️ Loyalty

Trinculo (Peter Turner)

A comic, quick-witted jester who joins the shipwrecked troupe and crosses paths with Stephano. He provides humor amid the island’s turmoil and participates in the evolving schemes on Prospero's stage.

🎭 Comic 🗡️ Mischief

Antonio (Richard Warwick)

Prospero's brother who betrayed him to seize power. His scheming underscores the theme of political betrayal and the moral complexities of governance, fueling Prospero's desire for vindication.

🤝 Betrayal 👑 Power

Gonzalo (Ken Campbell)

An honest councillor who remains hopeful and practical as the shipwrecked party finds safety. His steadiness provides a counterpoint to the island's magic and the royal intrigues at play.

🤝 Honesty 🧭 Wise

Caliban (Jack Birkett)

The island's supposed native who proclaims rightful ownership and resents Prospero's rule. His anger at captivity contrasts with his occasional yearning for freedom and autonomy.

🌿 Native 🗡️ Enslaved

Miranda (Toyah Willcox)

Prospero's daughter, sheltered and compassionate, who forms a bond with Ferdinand. Her empathy and moral clarity contribute to the theme of forgiveness and renewal.

👩‍👧 Daughter 💞 Love

Stephano (Christopher Biggins)

A drunken mariner who becomes entangled in practical jokes and schemes with Trinculo. He embodies the island's comic chaos, lightening the tension with misadventure.

🍷 Drunk 😂 Comedy

Ferdinand (David Meyer)

The son of Alonso who is separated from his father and falls earnestly in love with Miranda. He endures Prospero's testing, showing loyalty and resilience.

👑 Royal 💖 Romance

Prospero (Heathcote Williams)

The exiled Duke of Milan and a powerful magician who conducts the island’s dramatic events. He wields control with intent—seeking justice, testing loyalty, and ultimately choosing mercy.

🪄 Magician 👑 Ruler

Sycorax (Claire Davenport)

Sycorax is Caliban's mother and a looming figure of old magic and constraint. Her legacy informs the island's magical atmosphere and Caliban's sense of grievance.

👁️ Maternal 🪄 Magic

Young Miranda ( Kate Temple)

A younger version of Miranda, present as part of the island’s storytelling and memory. She underscores the continuity of Prospero's family and his past.

👧 Youth 🌸 Innocence

Sebastian (Neil Cunningham)

Alonso's brother who participates in the broader political tensions and the shipwreck aftermath. His actions contribute to the drama surrounding loyalty and power.

👥 Brother 🗡️ Ambition

A Spirit (Helen Wellington-Lloyd)

A Spirit on the island who aids Prospero and participates in the magical performances and disruptions. The spirits embody the otherworldly dimension of the island.

🌬️ Spirit 👀 Watcher

A Goddess (Elisabeth Welch)

A Goddess who sings at the finale, lending a mythic and ceremonial finish to the island's revels.

🌟 Goddess 🎶 Music

A Spirit (Angela Whittingham)

Another Spirit on the island, contributing to the atmospheric and magical dynamics that propel the plot.

🌬️ Spirit ✨ Ethereal

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:57

Major Themes – The Tempest (1979)

Explore the central themes of The Tempest (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Power

Prospero wields formidable magical authority to control people and events on the island. He engineers the shipwreck, commands spirits, and stages scenes to test loyalty, blurring the line between manipulation and justice. This exercise of power drives the plot toward its controversial, yet redemptive, resolution.

🕊️ Forgiveness

The story moves from vengeance to mercy as Prospero confronts past betrayals and ultimately chooses reconciliation. Miranda and Ferdinand's bond offers hope for a peaceful future, culminating in Prospero's decision to release his hold on others. The finale, featuring a public masque and a goddess's song, seals forgiveness as the story's core.

🏝️ Colonialism

The island becomes a space of power, ownership, and domination. Caliban's claim to the land contrasts with Prospero's rule, highlighting themes of exploitation and autonomy. Prospero's mastery mirrors imperial authority, challenging the idea of rightful dominion over unfamiliar lands.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:57

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Magical Reckoning Stories like The Tempest

Fantastical stories where magic is used for revenge, ultimately leading to forgiveness.If you liked the magical revenge and final reconciliation in The Tempest, you'll enjoy these movies. This thread features fantastical tales where characters use magic or otherworldly power to confront their past, leading to themes of forgiveness and hope in whimsical, dreamlike settings.

magicaltheatricaldreamlikerevenge-drivenreconciliatorymelancholichopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves a protagonist who has suffered a great betrayal, often in exile or isolation. They possess or gain magical or special abilities, which they use to orchestrate events that bring their adversaries to them. The conflict builds steadily, but instead of ending in violence, it culminates in a confrontation that emphasizes understanding, redemption, and the restoration of order.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a unique tonal blend of whimsical fantasy and serious emotional themes. They feature a steady, deliberate pace that allows for character reflection, a medium level of emotional intensity focused on personal reckoning, and a ultimately hopeful and reconciliatory conclusion.

Father-Daughter Island Stories like The Tempest

Tales of complex paternal relationships tested in isolated, transformative settings.Explore movies similar to The Tempest that focus on the relationship between a father and daughter in isolation. These stories often involve themes of protection, legacy, and redemption set in remote locations that heighten the emotional journey and character dynamics.

paternalisolatedmelancholicprotectivecoming-of-ageredemptivedreamlike

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protective father figure, often with a troubled past, who is secluded with his daughter in a remote environment like an island or wilderness. Their isolated existence is disrupted by outsiders, which tests their bond and forces the father to confront his own history and motives. The daughter's coming-of-age and burgeoning independence become central to the plot, leading to a resolution that redefines their relationship.

Why These Movies?

These films share a focus on the paternal dynamic as the emotional core, set within a confined or magical environment that amplifies the characters' internal struggles. They typically have a medium emotional weight, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a tone that blends melancholy with a sense of wonder or hope.

Unlock the Full Story of The Tempest

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Tempest in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Tempest is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Tempest Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Tempest, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Tempest Summary

The Tempest Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Tempest with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Tempest Timeline

The Tempest Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Tempest Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Tempest

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Tempest: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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