Plot

A short documentary about the theatrical performance of Aeschylus' "Prometheus Bound", which was presented at the Delphic Festivals. The first record of Aggelos Sikelianos' efforts to present ancient Greek tragedy in an ancient theatre.

Prometheus, condemned by Zeus for giving fire to humanity, is bound to the rugged peaks of the Caucasus by Hephaestus. As he endures his torment, he laments his suffering and recounts his story, revealing his defiance against the gods. Later, Io, a mortal woman pursued by Zeus and cursed to wander endlessly, encounters Prometheus. In their conversation, he foretells the coming of a future hero-one who will challenge and ultimately overthrow the mighty ruler of Olympus.—Capamaroux

At the Archaeological Site of Delphi, young people dressed in ancient clothes holding torches line up on the steps leading to the Ancient Theatre. Spectators wearing straw hats crowd the stairs. Inside the theatre, Angelos Sikelianos speaks to the audience, and then, Aeschylus' play, Prometheus Bound, commences. In the middle of the theatre, a towering rock dwarfs the protagonists, and God Hephaestus nails humankind's benefactor, Prometheus, down with the aid of the deities, State and Violence. The magnificent dance of the beautiful nymphs, Oceanids, starts to take place, and their superb close-ups prepare the ground for the arrival of Goddess Hera's mortal priestess, Io, who addresses Prometheus wearing a horned mask. Then, the ritualistic movements of the Oceanids mesmerise the audience once again, as God Hermes ascends the boulder of torture. In the end, the tragedy concludes with a climactic close-up of weary Prometheus, and a standing ovation by the ecstatic spectators.—Nick Riganas