Fedra

I too remember my one and only viewing of Phaedra: 1961, London. The scene I remember most clearly is Melina in her robes, eating breakfast on the cliffs overlooking the road below. I have been using the word "diaphanous" ever since!

Does anybody have any idea how one gets the studio to re-release this wonderful film? I've tried some of the revival places like MOMA too but to no avail...

The powerful Greek shipowner and constructor Thanos (Raf Vallone) proposes to marry Phaedra (Melina Mercouri) during the baptism of a ship with her name. Phaedra, who is the daughter of Thanos'greatest competitor, is a bored woman and has a son from her first marriage. Thanos gives an expensive ring to Phaedra and soon he learns that his estranged son from his first marriage, Alexis (Anthony Perkins), has left the University of Economics in London to dedicate to paint. Thanos asks Phaedra to travel to London to bring Alexis to meet him in Greece. When Phaedra meets Alexis, she falls in love with her stepson and seduces him. Their doomed love affair leads the family to a tragedy.

"Phaedra" is a melodrama directed by Jules Dassin with his mate and future wife Melina Mercouri in the lead role. The storyline is based on the tragic story of Phaedra from the Greek mythology and this tale of obsession could have been a soap opera in the hands of another director. Last but not the least, the performances, locations and soundtrack are great. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Profanação" ("Profanity")

One more voice to be added to the many! Where, oh where is this movie and why isn't it on video or DVD??? When each of the stars, Mercouri and Perkins, passed away one hoped that at very least it might make it to TV in some kind of tribute. No such luck. Brilliant acting, extremely well directed by Dassin (who made the classic RIFIFI) this movie deserves a greater appreciation than it has received. Terrific performances by Mercouri as the love-obsessed stepmother and Perkins as the stepson who allows himself to be seduced by her. The critics were hostile and cynical when the movie first came out, possibly because of the very public antics of Onassis and Callas, but the movie itself deserved a much better reception. (One movie which this viewer has never been able to forget!) Classically elegant, this is a well made movie that Dassin's talents translated from ancient themes into modern with a true director's skill. This movie deserves to be seen again! Where is it?????

I saw this movie as a double feature with Black Orpheus in San Francisco in 1963. Anthony Perkins and Melina Mercouri provide brilliant performances. Perkins is excellent as a young sensitive, melancholy, neurotic who has a fatal relationship with an older very wealthy married Mercouri. She buys him a grey Italian sports car and begins a love affair with him. The double whammy effect of Black Orpheus' tragic love story on top of the potently impossible love story in Phaedra had me reeling for days. Wish it was available on video.

I have searched in vain for many years to locate a copy of this film, my very favourite film of all time. A true classic.

Having come across this brilliant site, I now know why I cannot purchase a copy!

I must reiterate previous postings - why oh why has no company decided to release this on video or DVD ???