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Electra

Actor(s): Irene Papas, Yannis Fertis, Theanno Ioannidou, Notis Peryalis
Director(s): Michael Cacoyannis
2

Movie Details

MPAA Rating: NR
Content Advisory: Suitable for Children
Movie Release: 1962
DVD Release: 03/05/2002
Format: DVD - Black and White,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
Edition: Special Collection
Audio Tracks: English, French, Greek
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 53 mins
Studio: MGM
Members Wishing: 0
Genres: Drama, Tragedy

DVD Synopsis

This excellent adaptation by Michael Cacoyannis of the famous tragedy by Euripides garnered him his first international success and an award at the 1962 Cannes Film Festival. Irene Papas plays Electra, the daughter of King Agememnon and sister of Orestes, caught up in an uncontrollable need for revenge. After the king returns from the battlefield, Clytemestra (his wife) joins with her lover in murdering the hapless ruler while he bathes. Orestes is sent away immediately, and Electra is left to simmer in her growing hatred of her mother until one day, she and Orestes manage to get together and hatch a scheme to avenge Agememnon's death. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Actors

Irene Papas - Electra
Yannis Fertis - Orestes
Theanno Ioannidou - Chorus Leader
Notis Peryalis - Electra's Husband

Editorial Review of DVD

Michael Cacoyannis directed this striking adaptation of Euripides' tragedy, which has been given a strong transfer to DVD. Electra has been given a letterboxed transfer to disc in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.66:1. The audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Mono, and viewers may choose between soundtracks in English, Greek, or French. Optional subtitles in English, Spanish, and French also appear. The film's original trailer is included as a bonus. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Tracy M. from ARLINGTON, MA wrote on 1/16/2009...

The dvd description is: "From "one of the world's most talented filmmakers" (Los Angeles Times) comes this riveting, OscarÂ(r)-nominated* retelling of Euripides' searing classic. Written, produced and directedby Michael Cacoyannis (Stella, Zorba the Greek), and starring legendary Greek beauty Irene Papas (The Trojan Women), Electra is "majestic and awesome" (The New York Times)"a truly powerful and visually impressive picture" (Boxoffice). Desolation and despair reign supreme in the kingdom of Mycenae: The great Agamemnon has been brutally murdered; his son, Orestes, has fled to an unknown land; and his daughter Electra has been imprisoned within the very walls of the castle she once loved so well. All hope seems lost until the sacred oracle speaks and replaces Electra's broken spirit with an unquenchable desire for justice and bloody vengeance."

Slow and ritualistic in its classical theatrical quality, Electra is nonetheless a powerful film, portraying the deep grief and despair of Electra after the betrayal of her mother and murder of her father, and the transformation of her feelings into angry determination and then guilt. A dark story, which penetrates into the archaic recesses of our past, and our psyches today.