Electra [DVD]

Michael Cocoyannis has created a powerful interpretation of Euripides' tragedy, "Electra." The stark black-and-white cinematography mirrors the stormy emotions of the protagonists, Electra and her brother, Orestes. The movie was filmed in Greece, on site at Mycenae; indeed, the cyclopian blocks of the gate of the lions, the so-called "treasury of Atreus," the "tomb of Clytemnestra," and the rock-strewn Peloponnesian countryside provide a striking backdrop for the superbly-directed drama.There is so much about this production to be praised. Foremost is Irene Papas. Even when she is silent, Papas, her hair shorn in mourning, exudes a bitter passion for her slain father, Agamemnon, which is as intense as her hatred of her mother, Clytemnestra; on a psychological level, Papas' portrayal personifies the so-called "Electra complex." And yet, she underplays the role; one feels that her emotions are smoldering just beneath the surface. Giannis Fertis, the young man who portrays Orestes, has a profile that resembles a hero on a Greek Red-figured vase. Although not quite the equal of Papas, he is nevertheless convincing. A hair-raising moment for the audience comes after the two, who adore each other, recognize the enormity of their crime and its consequences.The evocative musical score of Mikis Theodorakis enhances the drama, as does the chorus of women, who, like Papas, are eloquent in their silence, as they watch the tragedy unfold. With their black veils billowing in the wind, they stand on the hillside like ominous sentinels--suggesting the inevitability of the tragedy and foreshadowing the black-winged Furies who will eventually hound Orestes.View this splendid film with the Greek sound and the English subtitles. It may not be everyone's cup of tea (My son would probably do an Orestes, if I tried to play it on his immense HD screen--reserved for action flicks in color only!). For discerning viewers, however, who enjoy fine cinema and superb acting, "Electra" will not disappoint.

Subtitles were difficult to read.

I enjoyed the acting in this very interesting film. It was refreshing to view a film untainted by the worn out formula of graphic sex, violence, explosions and vulgarity. However, this movie has a portion of sexual tension and violence at its base, like a greek tragedy should. Good acting and lots of options with subtitles and dubbing. If you're not in the mood for this radical departure, you may not like it. But I was hungry for a change of pace and this delivered nicely. I got so absorbed in the acting I felt like I was in the presence of the actors. There are a couple over-acted scenes and offbeat background music on occasion, but not enough to detract from the overall acting or interfere with the storyline. It was also gratifying to see the treachery of Electra's adulterous mother, the queen, who has her lover kill the returning king in the beginning of the story come back to her in spades when Electra and her brother exact their revenge years later. The confrontation between Electra and her mother, 16 years after her father's murder, is very well-acted and a bit spell-binding. It was a neat movie with a neat plot that I'll watch again and again.

Won't say too much about the particulars of this movie, except that it closely follows the original classical Greek play of Euripides. If you are not conversant with the lead-up to this story, suggest you review/refresh your knowledge of how and why Agamemnon's wife Clytemnestra murdered her husband on his victorious homecoming from the Trojan War. A lead-up movie, Iphigenia, starring a somewhat older Irene Papas, is well worth watching to better understand the basis of Clytemnestra's motivation for this murder. That movie ends with a look of implacable hate on her face.Irene Papas as Electra is simply a force of nature. A beautiful and powerful actress, she carries this movie as few other actresses could have done.The rest of the cast is competent, with Electra's mother Clytemnestra a standout. Electra's brother Orestes is competent if not inspiring and his friend Pylades curiously silent. (I think Pylades was a non-speaking part in the original play.)For those conversant with this story, or those who have read the original plays of Euripides, this movie is a great addition to the repertoire.

Excellent, outstanding. This is no sort of comedy, but a thoroughly evocative film, especially when you know the background story. We now know that the Trojan War actually happened, and It is of course the very stuff of legend but there must be core fact also. In those days no distinction was made between historical truth and legend, because it was all story-telling, and this is wonderful story-telling. There is detailed realism in the telling, which will help draw you into it. I've seen Irene Papas do very good film work, in "The Guns of Navarone" for example. I've never been her biggest fan, but she is excellent here, as is the supporting cast. Well done!

The subtitles appeared way after the spoken word--oftentimes with a different scene. It ruined a beautiful play.

Antigone, as a movie. You will have subtitles. It is a Greek production.

Bitterness in ancient Greece. If you go for Greek tragedy you'll enjoy this. Agamemnon returns home to Mycenae, is murdered by his wife and her lover, and his daughter Elektra schemes revenge. The real Mycenae stands in for itself and the acting is top-notch. Regarding this DVD: beware of using the dubbed English track - the voices don't always say what they should at certain points. Also, the great Irene Papas' powerful voice is "girlie-fied" by whoever dubbed her. Stick to the original Greek track and access the English subtitles instead. The film is in 16:9 format but is not anamorphic. This is not a problem due to the excellent b & w transfer, and no serious graininess is introduced when it is vertically expanded to fit your widescreen TV screen. Recommended.

Il est dommage qu'on ne puisse lire ce merveilleux DVD de Michael CACOYANNIS car il y a un problème de lecture avec mon lecteur.Je dois le renvoyer.

Useful for comparative interpretations and presentations of Greek Drama. As a Classical Studies student I found it interesting and affordable.