Antigone
In Thebes in ancient Greece, King Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother Jocasta, having two sons - Eteocles and Polyneices - and two daughters - Ismene and Antigone. King Oedipus dies a beggar in the exile after gouging out his own eye, and Eteocle agrees to reign in Thebes in alternating years with Polynices. However, he refuses to resign after the first year and Polynieces raises an army and attacks Thebes, and they kill each other. The ruler of Thebes Creon decrees that Eleocles should have an honorable burial while the body of the traitor Polyneices should be left on the battlefield to be eaten by the jackals and vultures. However, Antigone, who was betrothed to Creon's surviving son Haemon, defies Creon's orders and buries her brother. When Creon is reported of the attitude of Antigone, he sentences her to be placed in a tomb alive. Antigone hangs herself in the tomb and Haemon tries to kill his father first and then he kills himself with his sword...
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Plot Summary
This Greek tragedy tells the story of Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, who defies King Creon's decree forbidding the burial of her brother Polynices. Driven by her moral and religious duty, she buries him, leading to a confrontation with the king and a cascade of tragic events. The film explores themes of civil disobedience, divine law versus human law, and the tragic consequences of pride and inflexibility.
Critical Reception
Antigone (1961) was a significant Greek production that brought Sophocles' classic play to the screen with a powerful performance from Irini Papas. While not widely reviewed in mainstream international press at the time of its release, it is generally regarded as a faithful and impactful adaptation that resonated within Greek cinema.
What Reviewers Say
- A powerful and somber adaptation of a timeless Greek tragedy.
- Irini Papas delivers a commanding performance as the defiant Antigone.
- The film effectively captures the moral and philosophical weight of the source material.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1961 film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Irini Papas, who plays Antigone, would later become an internationally recognized actress, starring in films like 'The Guns of Navarone' (1961) and 'Zorba the Greek' (1964).
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