Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32665 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-09-14
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: Greek
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 82 minutes

Customer Reviews

Be warned...
OK, so I didn't read the "fine print". I ordered this DVD for my English class. When it arrived, I was distressed to see in fine print across the case, "Greek with English subtitles". My tenth graders were good sports about it, but the subtitles were small on my classroom's 25 inch screen. Just an FYI...

Good film, but DVD suffers from poor transfer quality
Irene Pappas is terrific as Antigone, and Manos Katrakis very impressive as Creon (with occasional moments of overacting). Despite the presence of hundreds of extras, the costumes and settings look a bit cheesy by today's standards. But with a story this great, and acting to match, it seems nit-picky to complain.

Unfortunately, the DVD was made from a dirty print. No restoration appears to have been attempted, and the video compression quality is very poor. Even so, this disc is a must-see for lovers of classic Greek drama and fans of Irene Pappas.

Needs viewing thrice
It is true the more knowledge of the play "Antigone" by Sophocles and of Greek plays in general the more you can appreciate this rendition. However the interesting thing about this presentation is that you can start from ground zero and come away with everything the tragedy is about. Even though the story is well know I will not go through it incase this is your first time.

There is an introduction to bring you up to date from Oedipus through his descendents and history to today where you meet Antigone (Irene Papas) and her sister Ismene (Maro Kodou.) Their decisions partially ordained and those of the new king Creon decide the outcome. You may find yourself quoting this play as you would Shakespeare's plays.

The reason for watching it multiple times is the first time around you may be busy reading the subtitles of which some flash and are gone. The second time around you may keep an eye on the acting. The third you will get used to the Greek speaking actors and even if you do not speak it you will find much filled in that was not sub titled. By now you will be hooked and have to watch it periodically.