The Trojan Women (1971)

Director:

Mihalis Kakogiannis

Writers:

Euripides (play)
Edith Hamilton (English translation)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The strength of mankind has always been its women.

Plot:

The women of Troy face enslavement after the fall of their city.

Plot Keywords:

Greek | Female Nudity | Trojan War | Queen | Place Name In Title

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Katharine Hepburn	...	Hecuba
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Andromache
Geneviève Bujold	...	Cassandra
Irene Papas	...	Helen
Patrick Magee	...	Menelaus
Brian Blessed	...	Talthybius
Alberto Sanz	...	Astyanax
Pauline Letts	...	Woman
Rosalie Shanks	...	Woman (as Rosalind Shanks)
Pat Beckett	...	Woman (as Pat Becket)
Anna Bentinck	...	Woman
Elsie Pittas	...	Woman (as Ersie Pittas)
Esmeralda Adam García	...	Woman (as Esmeralda Adam)
Esperanza Alonso	...	Woman
María García Alonso	...	Woman (as Maria G. Alonso)

Also Known As:

Troades (Greece)

Runtime:

Portugal:109 min | USA:105 min | Argentina:110 min | West Germany:105 min (TV)

Country:

UK | USA | Greece

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | USA:GP | Argentina:13 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Atienza, Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Company:

Josef Shaftel Productions Inc.

Trivia:

The Edith Hamilton translation of "The Trojan Women", which is used in this film, premiered on the Broadway stage in 1938. It was immediately acclaimed as being superior to the antiquated Gilbert Murray translation, which was the standard version used then.

Quotes:

Cassandra: [to Hecuba] I know that I am mad, but mother dearest, now, for this one time, I do not rave.

Movie Connections:

Follows Ilektra (1962/I)

beautiful

This film was shown at my art school in the early 90s to accompany reading the Greek play for class. It is beautifully produced -- the location and the lighting is exquisite, and makes the characters achingly beautiful in the midst of the tattered, gritty, treacherous war being waged around them. This film appears to be timeless...the cinematography is perfect; it does not appear to be an "old" or 'historical' film, and this luminescent quality helps younger viewers focus on the story (rather than struggle with history or epic readings or overlooking outdated film techniques). In fact, the movie is so well made, and the women appear so fresh and real, that as a college student I had no idea this movie was made in the early 70s, until I read a screen bio of Redgrave and was shocked that the movie is several decades "old." The viewer is pulled into the landscape by the profoundly beautiful Mediterranean surroundings, the intense acting, and raw emotionality the actors portray. This production successfully creates the ancient Greek ideal of tragedy, where the viewer experiences some personal transformation along with the characters. Quite memorable, even 15 years after seeing it -- and worth the time investment for a longer film.