Antigone (1961)
"Antigoni" (original title)

In the Ancient Greek city of Thebes, King Oedipus killed his father and married his mother Jocasta, having two sons - Eteocles and Polynieces - and two daughters - Ismene and Antigone. King... See full summary »

Director:

Yorgos Javellas

Writers:

Yorgos Javellas (screenplay), Sophocles (play)

Stars:

Irene Papas, Manos Katrakis, Maro Kodou

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Irene Papas	...	Antigone
Manos Katrakis	...	Creon
Maro Kodou	...	Ismene
Nikos Kazis	...	Haemon
Ilia Livykou	...	Eurydice
Giannis Argyris	...	A Sentry
Byron Pallis	...	A Messenger
Tzavalas Karousos	...	Tieresias
Thodoros Moridis	...	First Elder of Thebes
Giorgos Vlahopoulos	...	Elder of Thebes
Yorgos Karetas	...	Elder of Thebes
Thanasis Kefalopoulos	...	Elder of Thebes
H. Bourgatzas	...	Elder of Thebes
I. Garifalidis	...	Elder of Thebes
A. Kakoulidis	...	Elder of Thebes

Storyline

In the Ancient Greek city of Thebes, King Oedipus killed his father and married his mother Jocasta, having two sons - Eteocles and Polynieces - and two daughters - Ismene and Antigone. King Oedipus died a beggar in the exile after gouging out his own eyes, and Eteocles agreed to reign in Thebes in alternating years with Polynieces. However, Eteocles refuses to resign after the first year and Polynieces is exiled. Polynieces raises an army and attacks Thebes, and the two brothers kill each other. Crean, the new ruler of Thebes Creon decrees that Eteocles should have an honorable burial while the body of the traitor Polynieces should be left on the battlefield to be eaten by jackals and vultures. However, Antigone, who was betrothed to Creon's surviving son Haemon, defies Creon's orders and buries her brother. When Creon is reported of the attitude of Antigone, he sentences her to be sealed in a tomb alive. Antigone hangs herself in the tomb and Haemon tries to kill his father first and...

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Plot Keywords:

thebes | king | burial | ancient greece | death | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Greece

Language:

Greek

Release Date:

18 September 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rites for the Dead

Company Credits

Production Co:

Norma Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht 1948 (Suhrkamp Verlag) (1992)

User Reviews

A Greek rendition of a Greek classic, this film has remained with me for 40 years.

This film, seen in my youth, has etched itself indelibly into my psyche. Achingly bleak, this story of a sister's love is portrayed in a classical style, with Irene Pappas powerfully projecting the character of the title role. This is a worthwhile way to use your valuable time.