William Shakespeare's immortal
The Tempest's surprisingly successful transition to outer space in FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956) may have encouraged director Jack Bender and screenwriter James Henerson to try restaging it in 19th-century America. Ingeniously retooling the story to unfold against the backdrop of the Civil War, Henerson uses the play as sieve through which to strain musings about war, peace and the pitfalls of parental love. Grief-stricken in the aftermath of his wife's death, plantation master Gideon Prosper (Peter Fonda), known for his compassion, ignores the impending war between the States and distracts himself by studying sorcery under the tutelag...
Released:
1999
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
88 mins