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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 ???

Glittering locales plus a decadent touch of Old Hollywood highlight this melodrama about a Greek shipping magnate who needs his estranged 24-year-old son's help in completing a business merger; he asks his second wife to fly out to England and talk sensibly to the boy, but instead a flirtation develops between stepmother and stepson. After a sequence of indescribably lusty lovemaking, the wife calls off the affair--but just as quickly changes her mind, spiraling into an obsessive love for the junior stud. The film's beautiful visuals are such a pleasure to take in, it's almost easy to overlook the movie's main flaw: that lazily-rich and chic Melina Mercouri would never turn away her powerful, handsome, adoring husband for this kid, a ne'er-do-well artist and economics school drop-out! That being said, Anthony Perkins does the stepson role justice; he keeps his mouth too tight (in a grimace) and his eyes are too busy, but Perkins has a charming ambiance here--especially in the early part of the picture--a boyish nervousness which suits the film well. As Mercouri's hairy-chested husband, Raf Vallone seems more Melina's speed, yet she turns away from him like a frigid housewife. It doesn't quite play; however, each actor handles the escalating tensions of the plot with surprising seriousness, leading to a tragic finale which really appears heartfelt. An emotional rollercoaster, "Phaedra" is gorgeously shot by Jacques Natteau, blissfully scored by Mikis Theodorakis, and soap fans should eat it up. *** from ****

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...

I would also love to see this movie again. I enjoyed it immensely in 1963 and several times more during the Sixties. The BBC showed a copy in 1970 and the last sighting was in 1980 at the National Film Theatre in London, during a Jules Dassin season. The performances of Melina, Tony Perkins and Raf Vallone are incredible and there is the wonderful music of Theodorakis – thankfully still available. Phaedra, where are you?

Finally got to see this one at Film Forum in New York City. My familiarity with the soundtrack music by Mikis Theodorakis had always made me curious about the film. If you can accept the kind of over-the-top acting style of Melina Mercouri and Anthony Perkins, there is much that impresses. The one truly great scene involves their first sexual encounter and it alone makes the film worth seeing. The absolutely stunning musical accompaniment combined with some amazing photography and editing results in a truly breathtaking sequence. The finale with Perkins raving out loud to himself in his car has to be seen to be believed.

This is one of those projects that nobody these days would try, and even though it doesn't entirely succeed, it makes one long for a time when artists took such risks.