MovieChat Forums > Prospero's Books (1991) Discussion > Memorable Moments

Memorable Moments

posted 18 years ago by Plasmatic69
10 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this movie several times, and I find something totally different each time I see it, but there's always an image that strikes me as really intense, when we see Miranda's wedding night after she's been deflowered by the african king (his name eludes me at the moment) and you see she's crying and screaming as she's bleeding from her genitals and how all the servants are attending the king

that part always stops me in my tracks

there's many others, which one sticks out for you?

[–] ALET1984 18 years ago

That wasn't Miranda; Miranda is Prospero's daughter, whereas the girl who was married by her father to the King of Tunis was Ferdinand's sister (don't remember her name).

For me, the Cornfield scene is the most memorable, mainly because of the music. But then again, the peeing Ariel in the beginning also sticks in the memory.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] miezpiez 18 years ago

Truly memorable for me are the short description scenes of the books themselves. They are totally magical for me...

[–] Thomas-White2 18 years ago

For me, the most striking shot was the one where Prospero's wife pulls down the skin of her belly to reveal her inside, with baby in the womb.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] charles-worth 17 years ago

i love greenaway, but that pissing thing almost frightens me. why, i ask? why?

[–] GRWeston 17 years ago

The buildup to the "Enter Ariel" scene is amazing.

GRWeston
"No matter where you go, there you are." -Buckaroo Banzai

[–] Trp1985 15 years ago

It's hard to pick a memorable scene from a film like this--every frame is meticulously crafted, there's no shot that can be called 'mundane' or visually uninteresting. It's truly a magnificent work of Art.

But if I had to pick, mine would be:

The opening sequence (Michael Nyman's music is undoubtedly integral)--I love how the bizarre mythological creatures of Prospero are introduced, with the flashy lighting and effects etc

The cornfield scene

The Masque/Wedding of Ferdinand & Miranda is sumptuous

The sequence where Prospero reminds Ariel of his past with Sycorax (Kinda of grotesque though)

The enactment of the 'magical-circle' after all the books are slapped shut (All those extras!)

I could go on, but then that would be the whole film.

[–] SeisCinemaSeis 14 years ago

Pretty much all the movie from the first shot to the last one is memorable. And you can say the same about practically every movie directed by Greenaway.
The man is first and foremost an artist, therefore his works are filled with memorable images. You may like or dislike the movie itself but one thing is for sure: You won't forget those images.

[–] megArnold 12 years ago

The Masque

The Cornfield

The "Ariel/Harpy" scene (don't know how to call it - the scene where Alonso is presented with the dead body of his son)

The book of mirrors

and so many little moments that have already been mentioned...

--
Grammar:
The difference between knowing your sh**
and knowing you're sh**.