Eugene 'O Neil's Desire Under The Elms is both beautifully written and darkly executed. The character of Eben is deftly handled by Anthony Perkins. He plays the character with a wonderful sort of power which expresses both his bitterness towards his cruel father; and the intense love he feels for his stepmother in a smooth flow of facial expressions and skillfully said dialogue. The beautiful, seductive and tortured role of Anna is wonderfully played by Sophia Loren, who does not let the fact that English is her second language mar her performance. The scenes between these two young stars is steamy, passionate and sensitive. Their short lived happiness is set to a lush score which shows the lightness of their hearts. But suddenly the winter turns to spring once more, and Anna gives birth to a son. The child wedges a gap between Eben and Anna, and making Burl Ive's character even more cruel and foolish. But the most powerful scene in the film is when Anna admits to Eben that she has killed the baby to prove to him that she loves Eben more than their child. The film ends with Burl Ives being truly alone as Anna and Eben drive off with the sheriff to be hung for the infanticide.
Review of Desire Under the Elms
