Mourning Becomes Electra (1947)

Director:

Dudley Nichols

Writers:

Dudley Nichols (writer)
Eugene O'Neill (play)

Release Date:

19 November 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Most Sinister Triangle In Dramatic History!

Plot:

Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Orestaia. In New England, after the American Civil War, a war-weary Agamem--er...

Plot Keywords:

Lover | Suicide | American Civil War | New England | Brother Sister Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins

Cast

Rosalind Russell	...	Lavinia Mannon
Michael Redgrave	...	Orin Mannon
Raymond Massey	...	Brig. Gen. Ezra Mannon
Katina Paxinou	...	Christine Mannon
Leo Genn	...	Adam Brant
Kirk Douglas	...	Peter Niles
Nancy Coleman	...	Hazel Niles
Henry Hull	...	Seth Beckwith
Sara Allgood	...	Landlady
Thurston Hall	...	Dr. Blake
Walter Baldwin	...	Amos Ames
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Mrs. Hills
Erskine Sanford	...	Josiah Borden
Jimmy Conlin	...	Abner Small
Lee Baker	...	Rev. Hill

Runtime:

173 min | UK:159 min | USA:105 min (edited version) | USA:121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #12361, Adult Audience)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

Rosalind Russell received an Academy Award nomination for her role in this film. Apparently, she was so sure she was going to win that, when the winner was about to be announced, she had risen from her seat to accept it... only to discover that the winner was Loretta Young for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter (1947).

Movie Connections:

Version of Trauer muss Elektra tragen (1970) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Shenandoah

Most Interesting

I have seen this movie in bits and pieces over the years and therefore had seen the entire film before. But not all at once. Tonight I did. For those who know the original ancient Greek plays that this was taken from, it enhances the modernizing that Eugene O'Neill did with his treatise. It is, in and of itself, a brilliant literary work. This story, whether in the old Greek, or the 20th century version (the writing of it), is a daunting tale to tell for any actor. For my tastes, the women in this film were over the top. Fine actresses both, Katrina Paxinou as Christine the mother, and Rosalind Russell as Lavinia the daughter (or Electra), they perhaps could have used the help of a better director. The men were all fine. Though Raymond Massey's greatest contribution was his wonderful movie presence. But to watch Michael Redgrave's amazing performance was worth every other flaw. He took a part that was, indeed, full of words, and made them flow so naturally from his mouth, that I believed people DID speak that way. And with that wonderful naturalness, he achieved such depth of emotion! Love, anger, fear, hatred, and guilt to the point of paranoia and virtual insanity. I have seen other movies of his, and have always understood, simply enough, how his progeny became such fine actors. Sir Michael Redgrave was an actor that could bury himself in any part. But I saw this performance, just now, as if for the first time. So real, so believable, so brilliant.