★ 4 / 10
I never believed it which is kind of
David K
I never believed it which is kind of amazing considering the quality of talent involved in the film.
I never believed it which is kind of amazing considering the quality of talent involved in the film.
★ 9 / 10
Phaedra – An Emotional Rollercoaster How painfully true
Ken R
Phaedra – An Emotional Rollercoaster How painfully true was movie critic John Simon's summary for 'Phaedra'; "Unfortunately Unforgettable". When I experienced…
Phaedra – An Emotional Rollercoaster
How painfully true was movie critic John Simon's summary for 'Phaedra'; "Unfortunately Unforgettable". When I experienced this work as an impressionable youth going through the turmoils of young love and relationships it left me shattered. I knew I was in for a tour-de-force the instant that electrifying scream rang out before the main title! (would like to know who the creative genius was that came up with that stunning idea...don't believe I'd ever seen or heard that done before!)
Here was my dream, a profound, life-changing love - but with one huge problem, it was doomed. The power of this film lies in the political connections that gave it birth. Firstly; director (Dassin) who had been hunted out of the homeland of his birth, never to return. Then his romantic involvement with a politically passionate Greek woman (Mercouri), born into a heavily political family in Athens and who would herself eventually be forced out of Greece. Add to this the politically persecuted Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis who, as with Dassin, was forced to flee his native country. This crew alone represented a powerful force of creative people with something to say!
It's little wonder the first meeting between Phaedra and her stepson takes place in the British Historical Museum, in front of fragments of the Elgin Marbles, the Marbles that Mercouri would later devote so much time fighting for their return to Greece (a Greece that was also foolish enough to let many valuable artefacts go for monetary gain) Looking back at this great movie, my main regret is that almost none of those that make up the characters of Phaedra are particularly likable. We have overly rich and powerful people that live only for becoming richer. They are bored with themselves and are too often motivated towards immoral 'games' to alleviate boredom at the emotional expense of others.
When people deviate from our basic understanding of acceptable loving human relationships, all too often the result is disaster, and here, the disaster builds like a tidal wave - one situation cascades from another like an avalanche. Apart from a basis in classic Greek literature (the pen of a man known as one of the most tragic of poets) Euripides' 'Hippolytus', what else makes Phaedra great? If you take away the astonishingly haunting music of Theodorakis with its song lyrics written by great Greek poet Nikos Gatsos, who also helped make famous many melodies by Manos Hadjidakis and songs by Nana Mouskouri, the film would lose half of its considerable impact.
Another vital element is the huge contribution of Turkish born lighting/cinematographer: Jacques Natteau known for his famous collaboration with Jean Renoir. Natteau's visuals draw you into each moment with striking emotional impact. On location shooting on the Island of Hydra supplies a grand setting. Hydra at that time was largely an Island without cars (Donkeys were, and still remain, basic transport) Dassin either got special permission or used another location for the spectacular scenes involving Alexis' Aston Martin 'dream' car. Under Dassin's gifted direction these elements forge together an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Melina Mercouri for me, is far from beautiful, and this stretched believability in the rapid seduction of young Alexis just a little, but as described within the film... she has unique facial and physical qualities. The intense Anthony Perkins turns in a strong performance as the vulnerable, disintegrating, Alexis. Raff Vallone also delivers both a powerful and devastating performance as the shockingly betrayed Husband and Father. This is super-strong storytelling that will haunt the sensitive viewer for many years. Yes Mr Simon, for any of its regrets, it remains 'unforgettable'.
Footnote: How tragic it is that the best arrangement/performance of the main theme music (with Oboe), was never included on any of the 'original' soundtrack recordings. With the 'Main Title' being the first thing you hear in the film (after that shock scream that is!), why would you leave it off!? I imagine the only person still alive that could explain would be Mr Theodorakis, and while it would be interesting, it's rather unlikely to happen. Not withstanding, it has taken over 50 years for MGM/UA to finally make this remarkable film available on a quality 'studio' DVD, so, small miracles do happen!
KenR
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I understood that reference