Mourning Becomes Electra

This PBS production is simply the best American TV adaptation of a play I've ever seen. I saw it in 1979 and have never forgotten it. The three leads are all so perfect together that I truly can't say who is better- Joan Hackett's dominating, seductive yet unreachable matriarch (in real life, the actress' tombstone reads simply 'Go Away', a perfect representation of her character in this film), stage actress Roberta Maxwell as the sad, combative daughter following in her emotional footsteps, or Bruce Davison's weak and frustrated son, yearning for love yet haunted by war. An incredible viewing experience I highly recommend

I first saw this film when it was released. It has stuck in my mind all of these years. I have been searching for it ever since. Joan Hackett stayed in my mind because of this film and I followed her career from that moment. I have enjoyed other films with the same story line, but for some reason this one sticks in my mind. I am hoping to find it on DVD or even VHS. Having seen it just that one time it obviously made a lasting impression. Not many of my friends have heard of the movie, I have raved about it so long many are quite anxious for me to find it. Hopefully someday I will stumble across it and enjoy Joan Hackett in this great film once more. Maybe I've missed it being replayed on television, but my search will continue. Thank you for having the information about this great film.

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!

I agree with the above comment completely. O'Neill is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you ARE interested in some of the greatest American dramas ever penned, then O'Neill is for you. Yes, his plays are long and arduous but they reveal so much about the human condition, not to mention the writers', that it is worth the time it takes to read them or, as in this case, watch them. 'Mourning' may not be the best to cut your teeth on, so I might recommend "Long Day's Journey Into Night", "Moon for the Misbegotten" or "The Iceman Cometh" -- but no matter which you choose you are in for a wonderful theatrical and personal experience. This DVD was also enhanced by afterwords by Dr. Erich Segal and I appreciated his insights greatly. Highly recommended.

The only way to present this O'Neill play is in this extended form to full comprehend the depths that he was trying to explore. The 1947 version was a worthy try although with miscast performers but you can't squeeze a five hour plus drama into half that time and expect it to succeed as that movie tried to do.

The men in the cast, Josef Sommer, Bruce Davison, Jeffrey DeMunn, Roberts Blossom all contribute fine work but this is structured and belongs to the two main females of the tale. Here is where this production excels, the great Joan Hackett is brilliant as the unfaithful mother Christine only outshone by Roberta Maxwell who is amazing as the deeply complex Lavinia, how this didn't launch her into a great starring career is a mystery. Perhaps she preferred the stage since her screen credits are not vast.

The story, which is often bleak, requires commitment but for those willing to invest the time it is a worthwhile journey.