Oedipus Rex (1967)

In pre-war Italy, a young couple have a baby boy. The father, however, is jealous of his son - and the scene moves to antiquity, where the baby is taken into the desert to be killed. He is ... See full summary »

Director:

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Writer:

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Stars:

Franco Citti, Silvana Mangano, Alida Valli

5 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Franco Citti	...	Edipo
Silvana Mangano	...	Giocasta
Alida Valli	...	Merope
Carmelo Bene	...	Creonte / Edipo's brother in-law
Julian Beck	...	Tiresia / Blind oracle
Luciano Bartoli	...	Laio / Former king
Francesco Leonetti	...	Laio's Servant
Ahmed Belhachmi	...	Polibo
Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia	...	Sacerdote (as Ivan Scratuglia)
Giandomenico Davoli	...	Shepherd of Polibo
Ninetto Davoli	...	Angelo

Storyline

In pre-war Italy, a young couple have a baby boy. The father, however, is jealous of his son - and the scene moves to antiquity, where the baby is taken into the desert to be killed. He is rescued, given the name Edipo (Oedipus), and brought up by the King and Queen of Corinth as their son. One day an oracle informs Edipo that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified, he flees Corinth and his supposed parents - only to get into a fight and kill an older man on the road...

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Plot Keywords:

child abandonment | son marries mother | patricide | incest | parricide | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy Morocco

Language:

Italian Romanian

Release Date:

7 December 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Oedipus Rex

Filming Locations:

Basilica of San Petronio, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,248

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arco Film, Somafis

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First part of Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Mythical Cycle" also including Teorema (1968), Porcile (1969) and Medea (1969).

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Connections

Version of Oedipus the King (1968)

User Reviews

the meanings

one of films who remands. the rules of Greek tragedy. the limits of interpretation. the manner to use the myth as contemporary mirror. the art of Piero della Francesca. the conflict between past and present. a film of actors. because each trace of acting defines not the vision of Pasolini about the fate of king from Thebes but its search of truth. the truth - basis of all. Edipo re impress. for atmosphere, for costumes and the use of myth.the eyes of Franco Citti. the presence of Silvana Mangano. the first scenes who are parts from a possible Visconti. the end as warning about the price of fight against yourself. Edipo re is support for reflection. not a new version of well known myth because the important details of myth are insignificant. not example of high art. because it is far to be a show. it is only exploration of meanings. and the sketch about different forms of pride and sacrifice. looking for authenticity. precise definition of life.