The Trojan Women (1971)

Director:

Mihalis Kakogiannis

Writers:

Euripides (play)
Edith Hamilton (English translation)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The strength of mankind has always been its women.

Plot:

The women of Troy face enslavement after the fall of their city.

Plot Keywords:

Greek | Female Nudity | Trojan War | Queen | Place Name In Title

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Katharine Hepburn	...	Hecuba
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Andromache
Geneviève Bujold	...	Cassandra
Irene Papas	...	Helen
Patrick Magee	...	Menelaus
Brian Blessed	...	Talthybius
Alberto Sanz	...	Astyanax
Pauline Letts	...	Woman
Rosalie Shanks	...	Woman (as Rosalind Shanks)
Pat Beckett	...	Woman (as Pat Becket)
Anna Bentinck	...	Woman
Elsie Pittas	...	Woman (as Ersie Pittas)
Esmeralda Adam García	...	Woman (as Esmeralda Adam)
Esperanza Alonso	...	Woman
María García Alonso	...	Woman (as Maria G. Alonso)

Also Known As:

Troades (Greece)

Runtime:

Portugal:109 min | USA:105 min | Argentina:110 min | West Germany:105 min (TV)

Country:

UK | USA | Greece

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | USA:GP | Argentina:13 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Atienza, Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Company:

Josef Shaftel Productions Inc.

Trivia:

The Edith Hamilton translation of "The Trojan Women", which is used in this film, premiered on the Broadway stage in 1938. It was immediately acclaimed as being superior to the antiquated Gilbert Murray translation, which was the standard version used then.

Quotes:

Cassandra: If war comes, to die well is the victor's crown.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Ifigeneia (1977)

Classic Tragedy Classically Produced and Performed

You must understand the form of classical tragedy to appreciate truly this film. Then you will see that Cacoyannis does, his four major actresses do, and the rest of his cast do, right down to the boy who plays Redgrave's son.

The four actresses have tragic arias -- there is no better word for it -- that they play magnificently. One always knows what is going on in this film because the text is translated so perfectly; the direction is so clear; and the actors play directly to that text. All are brilliant.

Don't look for special effects; there are none. Greek tragedy needed none. There are no chariot chases, no blowing up of the Parthenon as two smart-assed "detectives" grin and compliment each other, no two heroines outwitting all the police in the district and end up driving their chariot into a handy canyon. Sorry, gang, the play's the thing here -- and what a play and how well it is produced and performed.

If you love classics -- text, acting, and production, don't miss this one for any reason!