Mourning Becomes Electra (1947)

Approved   |    |  Drama

Mourning Becomes Electra (1947) Poster

Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Oresteia set in New England, after the American Civil War.

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6.5/10
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Awards

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Another 2 wins.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
30 April 2013 | jjnxn-1
6
| Rosalind owed a favor
Miscast, stagnant version of something that's heavy going to begin with. Redgrave is good as Orin the haunted son. Rosalind tries but is just the wrong actress for the part, ideally it should have been Katharine Hepburn or Olivia de Havilland. She owed Dudley Nichols a favor for adapting and directing the story of Sister Kenny, a dream project for her and this was his but could only get it made with her participation, she even admitted that she was wrong for it but felt a sense of loyalty and went forward. Katina Paxinou gives an overblown operatic performance in a part that would have fit Garbo perfectly. The play is really too complex for a standard film version, the extended PBS production in the late 70s with Joan Hackett and Roberta Maxwell got it right but that one clocks in at just under five hours.

Critic Reviews

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Impact

Impact

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dudley Nichols disclaimed screenplay credit because he only abridged the play's text and moved some scenes outdoors. His first finished cut ran over four hours, but was edited down to 174 minutes for its roadshow premiere.

Quotes

Orin Mannon: You folks at home take death so solemnly. You have to learn to mock or go crazy.

Goofs

While Orin is standing by a bench where Lavinia is seated, he holds his hat by his side and drops it. It just lies there on the dirt path as he sits down, and he doesn't pick it up.

Alternate Versions

After its original "roadshow" engagement in 1947, where the full 173-minute version was shown (with an intermission), "Mourning Becomes Electra" was cut to 121 minutes for the remainder of its theatrical run. This version is not available for television, but does exist in 16mm prints.

Soundtracks

The Battle Hymn of the Republic
(uncredited)
Music by William Steffe

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Drama

Details

Release Date:

19 November 1947

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

RKO Encino Ranch - Balboa Boulevard & Burbank Boulevard, Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$435,000

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