IMDb RATING
7.6/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Living in exile after the death of their father, the grown children of a murdered and usurped king converge to exact eye-for-an-eye revenge.Living in exile after the death of their father, the grown children of a murdered and usurped king converge to exact eye-for-an-eye revenge.Living in exile after the death of their father, the grown children of a murdered and usurped king converge to exact eye-for-an-eye revenge.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 11 wins & 2 nominations total
Fivos Razi
- Aegisthus
- (as Phoebus Rhazis)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaKostas Kazakos and Irene Papas were co-stars both in this film, Electra (1962), and another film 15 years later, Iphigenia (1977), both directed by Michael Cacoyannis and each with a score by Mikis Theodorakis. Kazakos and Papas would die a day apart, on September 13 and 14, 2022, at the respective ages of 87 and 96. Composer Theodorakis had died just over a year before, also at age 96, and on the day before Papas's 95th birthday.
- GoofsHaving seconds thought about killing Klytaemnistra, Orestis proclaims a devil, not a god, must have spoken to the oracle who told him to seek vengeance. As it happens, the word "devil" comes from the Greek word diábolos which means slanderer or accuser, not the Christian or Islamic word for a supernatural enemy of humankind tempting people to commit evil deeds.
- Quotes
Chorus Leader: My child, you must talk to the gods. They will hear you.
Elektra: No god hears me. No human being is listening to my prayers.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Affection to the People (2013)
Featured review
A magnificent film
I have just seen this film again via DVD after first seeing it in a cinema 40 years ago, and it remains in my view a staggering masterpiece of world cinema. It is a film that should be compulsory viewing by all aspiring film-makers since it is, unlike so many of today's movies which really are over influenced by television, so cinematic it makes one positively nostalgic for concepts like film grammar and form. Cunningly, it is almost a silent movie with a wonderful soundtrack, and the acting, (outstanding by all concerned), shows the great value of body language, and how good film editing, the use of a superb musical score, and excellent black and white cinematography can convey such powerful and poignant emotions. The play on which it is based has of course the soundest of psychological under-pinnings; guilt is an emotion and state of mind that can ONLY be experienced once one has done something horrendous enough to make it possess you. It cannot be imagined or anticipated, and, even when "rational" thought seems to justify the act, as Elektra and Orestes find to their cost, this evaporates instantly once that rage has been quenched. The final sequence of this film, after the mother has been murdered, and when these realisations manifest themselves is so overwhelming and powerful that only the hardest of heart could not be profoundly moved. But, like all good psycho-therapy, it is ultimately sanctifying, even if at the same time it is heart-breaking and almost unbearably poignant. Certainly one of the best films I have ever seen in my life, and every department deserves the highest praise and congratulations. One of the very few films to which I have awarded a 10/10 vote.
helpful•382
- Dave Godin
- Sep 1, 2003
- How long is Electra?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 50 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
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