How Ralph Fiennes became Prospero

How Ralph Fiennes became Prospero

27 July, 2011
by: Spoonfed Theatre Team

We chart Ralph Fiennes best movie roles.

So them tabloid hacks have had their comeuppance and Ralph Fiennes must be glad. They completely went to town about his joining the mile-high club with an airline stewardess, cheating on Alex Kingston with actress Francesca Annis and playing an ancient mother-shagger. But, ahem, we're hear to talk about the actor and the incredible film roles he's clocked up. 

Without a script memorised, he remains what some would call an unpretentious gentleman and what we would call a little dull. Nonetheless, we're pretty excited about his return to the West End as Shakespeare's melodramatic magician Prospero in The Tempest and in honour of his arrival we've put together some images of his best film roles. 

Born Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes he first came to mainstream attention in the critically acclaimed Schindler's List (1993) in which he played a confused but vicious Nazi officer. It's a sombre, important film, beautifully shot and here's Peter Serafinowitz' take of Fiennes role:



It wasn't long after that he realised what really sells and became the guy who made L'oreal realise that men are worth it too in The English Patient




And then he let it all hang out (almost) when his over enthusiastic pelvis sent the censors into a blind rage at The End of the Affair.



That was before a hilarious turn as moralistic murderer Harry in In Bruges where he showed us all how to get a normal gun for a normal person who just wants a normal shoot-out.



Then there was this:


Waaaat? Don't look so surprised Voldermort, it seems our Harry Potter journey has come to an end and you have been vanquished sir. But Fiennes returns as a very different kind of wizard in Trevor Nunn's production of The Tempest from 27th August. Don't sit in the stalls, we hear Fiennes is a spitter. 



Top image by Hugo Gelndinning.



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Spoonfed Theatre Team