The Trojan Women
Based on the play by classical Greek dramatist Euripides, The Trojan Women tells the story of the four women who mourn the death of Hector in the final chapter of Homer's "Iliad". Bringing together four leading women from four different countries(American Katherine Hepburn, Vanessa Redgrave from the U.K., Canada's own Geneviève Bujold, and Irene Pappas of Greece), all at the peak of their fame, the cast of this movie brings the ancient Greek passions to life. Written as a polemic against the Athenians' unjust war against Troy, The Trojan Women stands up as an uncompromising look at the effects of war on those who have no choice in the matter: the women, children, and noncombatants of a burning, besieged city.
Member Reviews
Decent Art House Fare - RobBC
After Troy is razed by the Greek army in retaliation for the abduction of Helen, its women wake up to find the city in ruins, their men dead and their fates sealed as ships lie ready to carry them back to Greece where they will either become wives, slaves, or concubines for their new masters. Among the survivors are Hecuba, the former queen; her mad daughter Cassandra; her rebellious daughter-in-law Andromache; and Helen herself, now an object of hatred and scorn from both sides. As each woman is forced to let go of everything she's held dear a series of painful dramas unfold culminating in a heartbreaking sacrifice and burial. Based on Euripides' play and employing a few flourishes from Classical Greek drama, most notably an impromptu Chorus of mourning widows, "The Trojan Women" is a highly stylized, highly theatrical picture often bordering on performance art. Shot in and around central Spain, the film's barren landscapes of rocky hills and dusty caves underscore its sense of emotional devastation while the stellar cast (Katherine Hepburn, Irene Papas, Genevieve Bujold, and Vanessa Redgrave) manage to keep the patently ornate dialogue believable. Perhaps a bit too formal in presentation for some tastes, it is based on a play over 2,000 years old after all, but for all that it still managed to hold my attention for the full two hours.
Member Reviews
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Decent Art House Fare - RobBC
After Troy is razed by the Greek army in retaliation for the abduction of Helen, its women wake up to find the city in ruins, their men dead and their fates sealed as ships lie ready to carry them back to Greece where they will either become wives, slaves, ...