Oedipus The King -- Part 10/12

Part of "Oedipus the King" from 1984 TV production with Michael Pennington, Claire Bloom and John Shrapnel. Translated and directed by the late
Don Taylor.

here's a playlist with all these Oedipus videos in order:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=422B4AD5E82BE89A

from John O'Connor's review in New York Times (1988):

Mr. Marks [producer] has explained: ''What we wanted was to find a way for authentic Sophocles to speak directly to viewers in such a way that the two and a half millennia dividing us would melt away. They should be able to see into his mind as he uncannily still seems to see into ours.''

Rather than attempting authentic recreations with masks and so forth, this series aims for an ''indeterminate feel'' in setting and costuming. David Myercough-Jones has designed a spare, misty arena outside the gates to the king's palace. June Hudson's costumes are plucked from different historical periods, elegant empire gowns for Jocasta, barrister robes for the chorus, a white silk suit for Oedipus.

The concept works. ''Oedipus the King,'' unfolding like some eternal mystery, is powerful. Its characters are archetypes embedded in our psyches, filling us with wonder even as we shudder. And the cast is about as good as you'll get nowadays.

..... Television, it seems, is offering the best theater in town at the moment.

Directed by
Don Taylor

Writing credits:

Sophocles play
Don Taylor translation

Cast:

Michael Pennington ... Oedipus Rex
Michael Byrne ... Chorus
Cyril Cusack ... Priest

Ernest Clark ... Chorus
David Collings ... Chorus
Donald Eccles ... Chorus
Robert Eddison ... Chorus
Edward Hardwicke... Chorus
Denys Hawthorne ... Chorus
Noel Johnson ... Chorus
Clifford Rose ... Chorus
Alan Rowe ... Chorus
Nigel Stock ... Chorus
John Woodnutt ... Chorus


Produced by
Louis Marks

Original Music by
Derek Bourgeois

Film Editing by
Dave Hambelton

Production Design by
David Myerscough-Jones

Costume Design by
Jane Hudson

Other crew
Geoffrey Lewis .... classical advisor

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Oedipus
• MichaelPennington
• Sophocles

[Jhensy2001]

You know, I'll keep an eye out for this Oedipus guy.

[setareh1995]

damn, he ruined his suit!

[kirstleeh]

This is some SERIOUS acting by the Corinthian Messenger here....wow!!!! It is funny as hell but you gotta appreciate this guy's passion.

[apostolicaspie]

@tinawerewolfgirl So very few people have been through the kind of pain that leads one to self mutilation. It's part of the reason Humanity's not quite dead yet.

[tinawerewolfgirl]

@apostolicaspie so he's emo :O

[apostolicaspie]

@tinawerewolfgirl Sometimes, a person lives who doesn't want to live. Sometimes, they don't feel they deserve death. Isn't that what Oedipus said?

Also, sometimes, the same sorts of people will inflict physical pain on themselves, because it's the only way to dull the inside pain that seems like it would drive a man mad....

[ewrobbins]

Is that Edward Hardwicke at :46?

[tinawerewolfgirl]

@JonnyRocketfingers7 LOL

[tinawerewolfgirl]

okay, okay, he married and fucked his mother.

he killed his father.

but he didn't KNOW! its not his own fault.

he coulda just like left the place or something.

why'd he have to go and blind himself?!?!?! wouldn't that hurt?!?!?!

wouldn't it be smarter to just kill yourself if you wanted to? i mean, i know he says he doesn't want to go to the afterlife and see his parents and stuff, but still. overdramatic greek people.

[koenan1]

So the moral of the story is to leave abandoned infants to die? I don't think so, Sophocles!

[bostonlove]

His entrance was excellent.



[marcomariaz26]

an eye for an eye.. lol...