This is the last film in director Michael Cacoyannis’s Greek Tragedy trilogy after his early Sixties “Electra” (featuring Irene Pappas in the title role) and his early Seventies “The Trojan Women” (which starred Katherine Hepburn, Vanessa Redgrave, Genevieve Bujold and, once again, Irene Pappas - as Helen of Troy).
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All three movies are based on the works of Euripides - who was born approximately 484 BCE and died circa 406 BCE. Out of all the ancient Greek tragedians his work has arguably the most relevance to a contemporary audience as it eloquently demonstrates the causes and nature of human suffering especially in circumstances of war or multiple murder. Despite our current familiarity with these subjects we may not always perhaps be able to fully comprehend the nature of the painful emotional consequences involved.
“Iphigenia” is significantly more low-budget than the visually impressive second film in the trilogy and yet it has it’s own considerable emotional power. Like the first film of the three it is spoken in Greek with English subtitles.
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As the film opens the Greek army is waiting at Aulis for the winds to pick up in order that they may sail to Troy. But they have been waiting many months and no such winds have arrived. The troops have become restless and are on the verge of mutiny. Agamemnon - the commander in chief - has sought advice from the Oracle at Delphi as to the best solution to this problem. To his shock and horror the answer returns that in order to sail to Troy and be successful in the ensuing war he must sacrifice his beloved daughter Iphigenia.
Initially Agamemnon refuses to perform such a deed. He attempts to seek any way out that he possibly can. But eventually he is persuaded by his brother Menelaus (the abduction of whose wife Helen sparked the Trojan War) that it is a tragic but necessary solution to their impasse.
Agamemnon decides to lure Iphigenia to Aulis on the pretext that she is to marry Achilles. But little does he know that Clytemnestra (played by Irene Pappas), his strong-willed wife, has decided (against his expressed instructions) to accompany her daughter to the proposed wedding.
The first half of this film is rather unimpressive. You have the feeling you are watching a fairly cheap Greek tv movie. And yet, from the point where Iphigenia (played by a marvellous swan-necked, androgenous young Greek actress) meets Agamemnon, her tortured father, the film really takes off. Clytemnestra finds out her husband’s terrible intention and attempts to recruit Achilles as her ally in order to save her teenage daughter’s life. But the wily Odysseus, with his demagogic influence on the Greek army, stands in their way.
The final twenty minutes of the film have as much emotional power as any play or movie I have ever seen. The sheer heartbreaking dilemma of the characters is conveyed in a stunningly convincing manner. At the screening I attended many people were on the verge of tears during this concluding section. I would unreservedly recommend this film to anyone with the slightest interest in either Classical History, Greek Tragic Theatre or an emotionally fulfilling cinematic experience.
Stunning, profound, expressive. This is Michael Cacoyannis’ greatest masterpiece of three Euripidean tragedies. His first was “Electra” which was a stark drama in Black and White shot at the actual ruins of King Agamemnon’s palace at Mycenae in Southern Greece. The second was in color - “The Trojan Woman” - a disturbing portrait of men’s cruelty to the vanquished in war. The third, my personal favorite, is this film. While it involves the sweep of historical events, it remains focused on a highly intense family drama - a heart wrenching decision between duty versus love.
What is the story of Iphigenia? Agamemnon assumes the honor,duty, and responsibility of leading the troops of Greece to war with Troy so as to avenge his brother’s mistreatment by a Trojan prince. Having killed a sacred deer of the goddess (Artemis), the King discovers the winds will not blow for the Greeks. That means his battle ships cannot launch. To persuade the Gods to give him the wind to victory, the King learns he must sacrifice that person most dear to him, his innocent and
virginal daughter, Iphiginia. Agamemnon’s reaction when he discovers the terrible choice he must make is a frightful anger. He clearly does not want to lose his flesh and blood, his innocence, but he is also realizes he is asking his troops to risk death in the upcoming war. Ultimately, and reluctantly, he chooses death for his daughter. Eventually she discovers her terrible destiny…as does her mother Clytemnestra. The mother refuses to allow it, but Iphigenia sees the honor of being martyred and chooses to die…and therefore to live for Greece.
The last moment of the film is everything Greek tragedy should be. We see the knife, Agamemnon’s stark reaction to the horror, and the wind blows at long last.
Part of the power of the film comes from the stark locations…Here we don’t see sumptuous palaces in, let’s say, Richard Burton’s “Helen of Troy.” Instead, the action is filmed in the rough landscapes of Greece reflecting the tough, untamed ancient world. And the cast…the cast is magnificent. Tatiana Papamoskou is beautiful and fair…yet she radiates something more…a real heroism. The King, played by Kostas Kazakos, is vital, brutal, charismatic, and surprisingly protective of his daughter. His wife, Irene Papas, plays the profoundly strong Greek woman to the core.
I cannot imagine anyone who won’t be moved by these stirring performances. Highly recommended.
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