Ilektra (1962/I)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Mihalis Kakogiannis

Writers:

Euripides (play)
Mihalis Kakogiannis (writer)

Release Date:

1 December 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A powerful rendering of the tragedy of Elektra by Euripides. The film begins with a summary treatment...

Plot Keywords:

Tragedy | Mythological | Hero | Greek | Based On Play

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 11 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Irene Papas	...	Elektra
Giannis Fertis	...	Orestis
Aleka Katselli	...	Klytaemnistra
Manos Katrakis	...	The Tutor
Notis Peryalis	...	Elektra's Husband
Fivos Razi	...	Aegisthus (as Phoebus Rhazis)
Takis Emmanuel	...	Pylades
Theano Ioannidou	...	Chorus Leader
Malaina Anousaki
Theodoros Dimitriou	...	Agamemnon (as Theodore Demetriou)
Elsie Pittas	...	Elektra as a Girl
Petros Ampelas	...	Orestes as a Boy
Elly Vozikiadou
Eleni Karpeta
Kitty Arseni

Also Known As:

Ηλέκτρα (Greece)
Electra (USA)

Runtime:

110 min | Germany:111 min

Country:

USA | Greece

Language:

Greek

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12

Company:

Finos Film

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Vradya epitheorisis: (#1.5)" (1984)

Great cinematography makes up for simplified plot.

An extraordinary film from a visual and dramatic standpoint, _Elektra_ unfortunately too often plays like a _Cliff's Notes_ version of Euripedes' work (although, in all fairness, I must note that the film is only "based on" the classical play). The essential structure is there: Agamemnon's murder, the banishment of Orestes, Elektra's marriage, the reuniting of the grown children, the double murder. But by clipping away much of the Euripedean dialogue, much depth of characterization is lost. The principles become one-dimensional, with only hints of the complexity which makes the story so overwhelming. However, the stark cinematography and fine acting make this film eminently watchable, particularly at the climatic matricide sequence.