Classic tragedy is best left for the stage, but on occasion, a movie is necessary to bring that genre to those who may not get a chance to see it otherwise. This star-studded version of the Euripydes play May attract viewers because of the presence of Katherine Hepburn and Vanessa Redgrave in the leads, but for those expecting another Eleanor of Aquitaine or Guinevere will be disappointed.
For those who have experienced any version of a classic Greek drama on stage, this version however will suffice if the play doesn't get revived, and the film (shot in Spain apparently on real ancient ruins) does look authentic. Hepburn, as the Queen Hecuba, must deal with her own grief (presumed deaths of her sons and husband, the madness and slavery of her daughter), as well as issues with daughter-in-law Redgrave. She must be a leader for what remains of her people and decide the fate of Helen of Troy.
Genevieve Bujold, having just scored as Anne Boleyn, is mesmerizing as the princess Cassandra whose insanity is brilliantly portrayed. Once Brian Blessed gets going in his dramatic performance, I kept hearing him shouting "Where are my eagles?" from "I Claudius", and as bombastic as he is, he never goes over-the-top. The tragedy comes in with the declaration that Redgrave's young son must be executed.
Irene Papas as Helen of Troy is a smaller presence, coming on late in the film, more part of the ensemble of women wanting to stone her for her earlier actions. Knowledge of these characters makes understanding everything because much is cut by the film script. This is well made but certainly very stagey, and some viewers will be bored by it all. For me, I watched it at the right time, but I can see that if I had not chosen well, I would have found it difficult to finish in one sitting.
For those who have experienced any version of a classic Greek drama on stage, this version however will suffice if the play doesn't get revived, and the film (shot in Spain apparently on real ancient ruins) does look authentic. Hepburn, as the Queen Hecuba, must deal with her own grief (presumed deaths of her sons and husband, the madness and slavery of her daughter), as well as issues with daughter-in-law Redgrave. She must be a leader for what remains of her people and decide the fate of Helen of Troy.
Genevieve Bujold, having just scored as Anne Boleyn, is mesmerizing as the princess Cassandra whose insanity is brilliantly portrayed. Once Brian Blessed gets going in his dramatic performance, I kept hearing him shouting "Where are my eagles?" from "I Claudius", and as bombastic as he is, he never goes over-the-top. The tragedy comes in with the declaration that Redgrave's young son must be executed.
Irene Papas as Helen of Troy is a smaller presence, coming on late in the film, more part of the ensemble of women wanting to stone her for her earlier actions. Knowledge of these characters makes understanding everything because much is cut by the film script. This is well made but certainly very stagey, and some viewers will be bored by it all. For me, I watched it at the right time, but I can see that if I had not chosen well, I would have found it difficult to finish in one sitting.