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merkorn-2
IMDb member since April 2008
Reviews
Mourning Becomes Electra (1978)
Searing American version of Greek tragedy by Eugene O'Neill
1 June 2009 - 8 out of 8 users found this review helpful.
Like several of the other writers, I saw this on PBS when it came out (I was in high school) and for several weeks excitedly looked forward to each installment. It has absolutely lived up to my memory with brilliant performances by Joan Hackett, Bruce Davison, and especially the eerie Roberta Maxwell, whose eyes glow with almost psychotic intensity.
The story is an American version of the Orestes myth transported to the Civil War South and is full of Oedipal longings and twisted familial relationships. The dialogue is poetic and the acting is wonderful. Highly recommended.
Interestingly enough, Katherine Hepburn wanted to make a film of this play with herself as Lavinia and Greta Garbo as Christine. That would have been wonderful casting!
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