Search - Eugene O'Neill's Mourning Becomes Electra (Broadway Theatre Archive) on DVD

Excellent Production of Great Play

cloudia | Seattle, WA United States | 06/01/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"O'Neill doesn't get much representation these days. Staging his plays isn't always practical. This is a really excellent video version of the play that was produced for Connecticut public television. The cast, including Joan Hackett, Roberta Maxwell, Bruce Davison and Jeffrey DeMunn is really excellent. They breathe such natural life into these supertragic, archetypal, and arguably over-Freudian, characters that you really understand why this is a magnificent tragedy and not just some soap opera. The settings are good and the staging takes advantage of the medium with scene transitions that wouldn't have been possible on stage, but would no doubt have gladdened O'Neill's heart, and give further power to his already lavish dramatic design.Unfortunately, this IS produced for public television, and there is no attempt to hide the fact. The play is presented in a series of "Episodes," with "scenes from last time" and an opening of waves on cliffs that can not fail to remind viewers of the series "Dark Shadows." But the score by Maurice Jarre is perfect and evocative throughout the production. There is
also a clinching review/discussion/commentary at the end of each episode by, for some reason, Erich Segal. I avoided this like the plague."

Great Play

J.C.W. | Park Ridge, IL USA | 03/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this play on PBS years ago. It was one of those stories that just stays with you. After recently seeing "Desire Under the Elms," I once again recalled how impressed I was with the production of "Mourning Becomes Electra" and decided to buy the DVD. Delivery was prompt, the condition of the DVD was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed viewing it again. I am so glad to have added this to my small collection of "only the best in entertainment.""

This is the One to Get

Allen Rosenberg | Desert Southwest, USA | 10/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"IN this old-ish but not dated television version, like the theatre, you must suspend disbelief. I had qualms based on other reviews but first it was this version only that I saw of 'Mourning Becomes El3ectra' when it was week by week fed to the audience.

The power of this drama is not lost. These lives at the fringe are still mirror versions of our deepest selves. Don't miss the experience. My final argument, the shorter version suffer from more cuts of the script.

Off topic, HBO is now dribbling out 'Angels in America'. After seeing 'Mourning...' I can tell you will both plays are dramatic, one is high drama and the other is melodrama."

Excellent version, well acted, Memorable1

E. Igneri | NY | 07/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this version many years ago. It was really engrossing and well acted. I think this was Joan Hackett's best performance."