Phèdre

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")

I had seen Phaedra once when I was young many moons ago and just recently obtained a bootleg copy of the film on video. What can I say. It left a lasting impression with me once again. Powerhouse acting from Raf Vallone, Melina Mercouri and Tony Perkins. Superbly directed in the tragic tradition of Greek tale. From beginning to end it will capture your emotions in a whirlwind tale of forbidden love and the horrific consequences of its persuit. The dark ending charges me up every time I see it. If you can get your hands on this film-don't pass it up. You won't be dissapointed. As a matter of fact-this picture should be lobbied for release on home video. It's simply too good a film to be lost in the archives.

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 first saw Phaedra almost 40 years ago and still check the Radio Times most

weeks in the hope that it will resurface! I too find it hard to understand why the film seems to have disappeared so completely. Does the critical response at the time of its first release still sour selectors minds?

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.