Forbidden Planet

As an avid movie buff i love watching film adaptations of things and Shakespeare is no different for me, so i looked through the back of the play and caught sight of something i didn't really expect to be there as a modern adaptation of the Tempest: Forbidden Planet. I've seen the old 50's scifi before but i didn't really think of it as i started to read this (probably because i haven't seen it in years) But as i sit here and watch this classic film over again (and it is definitely a fun watch if you ever get the chance) it most certainly is a modern take on the play.
What i find really interesting though is that a Shakespearean play could ever be transformed into a science fiction... poetry and science? they seems so opposite from one another...yet it works fabulously. Here you have the classic tale covered up by all the modern day scifi glitz and glamour. Plus Robby the Robot (as Ariel) is just so fun (especially when you watch a lot of old films and you see him pop up everywhere, on a side note...look for the Wicked Witch of the West's hourglass too, its all over old hollywood)

I don't really want to get into the plot for the movie here in case you haven't seen it and i really think that its a great watch and as Shakespeare fans you'd probably really enjoy seeing the connections between the two. But i will say this: Prospero is Morbius, Miranda is Altaira, Ferdinand is Commander Adams, Ariel is Robby the Robot and Caliban is the monster Id.

It really shows you though how timeless Shakespeare can be and just how far his work can extend. I think this story works really well for a sci fi though because the magical element in it allows for a great level of versatility within stories. Plus the isolation of the island allows for the ability to pick the story up and place it within any setting you wish.