The Tempest

“This photoplay has a sketchy outline of the scenario of Shakespeare’s play. At times there is much commendable suggestion in the scenes, some of which are very pretty. It now and then seems crude. The player who takes Miranda’s part fills it, so far as physical requirements went, very well indeed. But Ariel is, perhaps, the only truly well-acted part in the picture. It is taken by a young lady who has put something of sprightliness and mystery into it, with the help of some well-chosen backgrounds. As a whole, the film will please, not only because of its subject, but for the sake of the prettiness of parts of it.”

Note: Typical of this publication during this period, the reviewer does not know the identities of the players.

“Shakespeare’s play of this name is here put into picture form, but the result is not up to Thanhouser standard. The two skiffs seen in the pictures were sadly modern, and the fairy Ariel’s cotton tights did not lend the ethereal effect desired. Neither did the scenes chosen for backgrounds appear appropriate to the theme. They were too commonplace and bleak. The acting was fairly good but in no way distinguished. Much of the action was told by captions, but even these failed to inform us how the King of Naples and the usurping Duke of Milan reached the island where Prospero and his daughter lived with the fairies. Indeed, we are shown nothing of the storm at sea, except a very weak vision, with a miniature craft storm-tossed and sinking. According to the play the ship doesn’t sink.

“The picture commences with a scene in Milan, where the rightful duke is ousted by the plot of his brother and the King of Naples, whereas the play begins at sea and on the island where Prospero had taken refuge. However, this liberty with the text is good picture practice, as a motion picture story must begin at the beginning. Ferdinand, son of the king, becoming separated from the father’s stranded party, joins Prospero at his cell on the island, falls in love with Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, and the union of these two brings peace between the families. It would seem that a much clearer version would have been possible.”

“Here is another in the Thanhouser Shakespearean series that you better get busy featuring. The storm effects are exquisite—easily better than ever seen in the stage production of this play. The subject gives chances aplenty for pretty settings, and you’ll see that our producers utilize them to the extreme. The story is a very smooth-running, simple and familiar one. It will be relished in all corners of the house.”