Medea (1983/I) (TV)

Director:

Mark Cullingham

Writers:

Euripides (play)
Robinson Jeffers (English translation)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Dead Children | Filmed Play | Child Murderess | Double Child Murder | Adultery

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Zoe Caldwell	...	Medea
Judith Anderson	...	Nurse
Mitch Ryan	...	Jason (as Mitchell Ryan)
Jacqueline Brookes	...	1st Woman of Corinth
Paul Sparer	...	Creon
Peter Brandon	...	Aegeus
Harriet Nichols	...	2nd Woman
Giulia Pagano	...	3rd Woman
Don McHenry	...	The Tutor
Stephen Garvin	...	Child
Christopher Garvin	...	Child
Lucien Douglas	...	Slave
John Peters	...	Attendant
Alan Thompson	...	Attendant
Mark Leone	...	Attendant

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Eisenhower Theatre, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - 2700 F Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company:

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Trivia:

Judith Anderson was nominated for the 1982 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actress in a Drama for "Medea" for the part of the Nurse. She won the 1948 Tony Award (New York City) for Actress in a Drama for "Medea" for a different role, the part of Medea.

Movie Connections:

Version of Medea (1969)

Well Acted Stage Version

This is basically the filmed version of the 1982 Tony awarded Broadway revival. It therefore comes across as very stagy, and its' impact is diminished on the small screen. Nonetheless, the camera does capture two great performances that help make it a powerful viewing experience.

Zoe Caldwell is amazing (she won a Tony award) as the mad Medea who exacts revenge on her husband in this classic Greek tragedy. She turns in a performance that I have found to be the best interpretation of the role. Judith Anderson is also astonishing as Medea's maid, and she shows what great talent can do with a small role.

If you get an opportunity to see this production it's worth a look.