Theban Plays: Antigone 

In a final battle for the control of Thebes, Oedipus's two sons kill each other. Creon issues an order that no one is to bury Polynices upon pain of death. But Antigone is determined that ... See full summary »

Director:

Don Taylor

Writers:

Sophocles (play), Don Taylor (translation)

Stars:

Juliet Stevenson, Gwen Taylor, Patrick Barr

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Juliet Stevenson	...	Antigone
Gwen Taylor	...	Ismene
Patrick Barr	...	Chorus
Paul Daneman	...	Chorus
Donald Eccles	...	Chorus
Robert Eddison	...	Chorus
Patrick Godfrey	...	Chorus
Ewan Hooper	...	Chorus
Peter Jeffrey	...	Chorus
Noel Johnson	...	Chorus
Robert Lang	...	Chorus
John Ringham	...	Chorus
Frederick Treves	...	Chorus
John Woodnutt	...	Chorus
John Shrapnel	...	Creon

Storyline

In a final battle for the control of Thebes, Oedipus's two sons kill each other. Creon issues an order that no one is to bury Polynices upon pain of death. But Antigone is determined that her brother's body will have the proper rites of burial.

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Plot Keywords:

greek god | greek tragedy | greek army | sophocles | sequel | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1986 (UK)

Also Known As:

Theban Plays: Antigone

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bioscope, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of El teatro: Antígona (1978)

User Reviews

Powerful adaptation of Sophocles' finest play

This is a modern translation of Sophocles' finest play, which pits the power of the state against traditional values and common decency. Avoiding the modern idea of the individual vs. the state, the play keeps true to the classical heritage by placing this squarely in a classical Greek context.

The costuming attempts to be timeless, giving a sense of 20th century dictatorship and "cult of the ruler" but with various figures in outfits that appear to be almost Victorian. All in all, after a few minutes the costuming "disappears" and the focus becomes the intense interaction between the actors.

Antigone and Creon are excellently played and deliver the powerful speeches well, as do the other main figures. The comic relief of the soldier who discovers Antigone's "crime" is nicely done as well. The chorus, a necessity in Greek plays, is again well done. Although not a staple in modern drama, the chorus does help to keep the ancient Greek tone.

All in all, this is a fine production on all accounts, the best of a set of three productions of the ancient Theban Plays.