Ilektra (1962/I)

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 "Mousiki vradya: Tragoudia apo ton Elliniko kinimatografo" (1976)

A magnificent film

I have just seen this film again via DVD after first seeing it in a cinema 40 years ago, and it remains in my view a staggering masterpiece of world cinema. It is a film that should be compulsory viewing by all aspiring film-makers since it is, unlike so many of today's movies which really are over influenced by television, so cinematic it makes one positively nostalgic for concepts like film grammar and form. Cunningly, it is almost a silent movie with a wonderful soundtrack, and the acting, (outstanding by all concerned), shows the great value of body language, and how good film editing, the use of a superb musical score, and excellent black and white cinematography can convey such powerful and poignant emotions. The play on which it is based has of course the soundest of psychological under-pinnings; guilt is an emotion and state of mind that can ONLY be experienced once one has done something horrendous enough to make it possess you. It cannot be imagined or anticipated, and, even when "rational" thought seems to justify the act, as Elektra and Orestes find to their cost, this evaporates instantly once that rage has been quenched. The final sequence of this film, after the mother has been murdered, and when these realisations manifest themselves is so overwhelming and powerful that only the hardest of heart could not be profoundly moved. But, like all good psycho-therapy, it is ultimately sanctifying, even if at the same time it is heart-breaking and almost unbearably poignant. Certainly one of the best films I have ever seen in my life, and every department deserves the highest praise and congratulations. One of the very few films to which I have awarded a 10/10 vote.