Phaedra (1962)

A retelling of the Greek myth of Phaedra. In modern Greece, Alexis's father, an extremely wealthy shipping magnate, marries the younger, fiery Phaedra. When Alexis meets his stepmother, ... See full summary »

Director:

Jules Dassin

Writers:

Jules Dassin, Margarita Lymberaki (original scenario),

Stars:

Melina Mercouri, Anthony Perkins, Raf Vallone

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melina Mercouri	...	Phaedra
Anthony Perkins	...	Alexis
Raf Vallone	...	Thanos
Elizabeth Ercy	...	Ercy (as Elisabeth Ercy)
Tzavalas Karousos	...	(as T. Karoussos)
Zorz Sarri	...	Ariadne (as George Sarris)
Andreas Filippides	...	Andreas (as Andreas Philippides)
Olympia Papadouka	...	Anna
Stelios Vokovich	...	Stravos
Nikos Tzogias	...	Felere (as Nicos Tzoyas)
Depi Martini	...	Heleni (as Depy Martini)
Alexis Pezas	...	Dimitri
Tasso Kavadia
Kostas Baladimas	...	Dimo (as Dimos Baladinas)
Faidon Georgitsis

Storyline

A retelling of the Greek myth of Phaedra. In modern Greece, Alexis's father, an extremely wealthy shipping magnate, marries the younger, fiery Phaedra. When Alexis meets his stepmother, sparks fly and the two begin an affair. What will the Fates bring this family? Alexis's roadster and the music of Bach figure in the conclusion.

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Plot Keywords:

foreign language adaptation | car over cliff | bitch slap | reference to johann sebastian bach | father son romantic rivalry | 

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Taglines:

A violent drama of profane love

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France Greece USA

Language:

English Greek

Release Date:

September 1962 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Fedra

Filming Locations:

Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joele, Melinafilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Alexis goes to get the car from the garage toward the end of the movie, there is a very evident dent near the door handle. The dent is not evident when he gets out of the car in the next scene.

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Quotes

Alexis: Phaedra... please, help me... let me go.
Phaedra: I can't.

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Connections

Featured in Moyers & Company: Fiscal Cliffs and Fiscal Realities (2012)

User Reviews

unforgettable story of obsession

One more voice to be added to the many! Where, oh where is this movie and why isn't it on video or DVD??? When each of the stars, Mercouri and Perkins, passed away one hoped that at very least it might make it to TV in some kind of tribute. No such luck. Brilliant acting, extremely well directed by Dassin (who made the classic RIFIFI) this movie deserves a greater appreciation than it has received. Terrific performances by Mercouri as the love-obsessed stepmother and Perkins as the stepson who allows himself to be seduced by her. The critics were hostile and cynical when the movie first came out, possibly because of the very public antics of Onassis and Callas, but the movie itself deserved a much better reception. (One movie which this viewer has never been able to forget!) Classically elegant, this is a well made movie that Dassin's talents translated from ancient themes into modern with a true director's skill. This movie deserves to be seen again! Where is it?????