Euripides is the most 'modern' of the ancient dramatists in terms of his psychological penetration and the motives of his characters. This makes his plays ideally suited to the medium of film. Michael Cacoyannis set about the task of filming an Euripidean trilogy of 'Electra', 'The Trojan Women' and 'Iphigenia' of which 'Electra' is probably the best. The score of Theodorakis, cinematography of Walter Lassally and a fabulous cast headed by Irene Papas as Electra, Yannis Fertis as Orestes, Aleka Katselli as Clytemnestra and Manos Katrakis as the Tutor all contribute to a stunning and mesmerising filmic experience. Cacoyannis, Lassally and Papas would go on to make 'Zorba the Greek' and Papas would play Helen and Clytemnestra for the same director.
Euripides wrote 'Electra' in about 420 bc and like those other masterpieces of the human mind 'Hamlet' and 'Phaedra', it is for all the ages. Let us be grateful to Cacoyannis for having given us this splendid version. Top marks.
