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IMDbPro

Aeschylus' Oresteia (Tony Harrison Adaptation), the National Theatre

  • 19831983
  • 3h 52m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
21
YOUR RATING
Aeschylus' Oresteia (Tony Harrison Adaptation), the National Theatre (1983)
  • Drama
The murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, the end of the curse on the House of Atreus and the pacification of the Furies.The murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, the end of the curse on the House of Atreus and the pacification of the Furies.The murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, the end of the curse on the House of Atreus and the pacification of the Furies.
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
21
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Hall
  • Writers
    • Aeschylus
    • Tony Harrison(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Sean Baker
    • David Bamber
    • Nigel Bellairs
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Hall
  • Writers
    • Aeschylus
    • Tony Harrison(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Sean Baker
    • David Bamber
    • Nigel Bellairs
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Pip Donaghy in Aeschylus' Oresteia (Tony Harrison Adaptation), the National Theatre (1983)
    Aeschylus' Oresteia (Tony Harrison Adaptation), the National Theatre (1983)
    Jim Carter in Aeschylus' Oresteia (Tony Harrison Adaptation), the National Theatre (1983)
    Aeschylus' Oresteia (Tony Harrison Adaptation), the National Theatre (1983)

    Top cast

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    Sean Baker
    • Chorusas Chorus
    David Bamber
    David Bamber
    • Chorusas Chorus
    Nigel Bellairs
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    Mark Bond
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    Jim Carter
    Jim Carter
    • Agamemnonas Agamemnon
    Robert Cartland
    • Electraas Electra
    Timothy Davies
    • Pyladesas Pylades
    Peter Dawson
    • Chorusas Chorus
    Pip Donaghy
    • Clytemnestraas Clytemnestra
    • (as Philip Donaghy)
    Martin Garfield
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    Peter Gerald
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    John Gill
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    Colin Haigh
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    Peter Hale
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    James Hayes
    • Nurseas Nurse
    Greg Hicks
    Greg Hicks
    • Orestesas Orestes
    Robert Howard
    • Anti-Chorusas Anti-Chorus
    Kenny Ireland
    Kenny Ireland
    • Apolloas Apollo
    • Director
      • Peter Hall
    • Writers
      • Aeschylus
      • Tony Harrison(adaptation)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Won Olivier Award for Best Director for Peter Hall.

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    This version will have to do
    Aeschylus' plays are difficult to stage and even more difficult to watch. The theatrical form had not yet undergone the modernization undertaken by Sophocles (and others whose work has been lost to time). Monologues and the chorus interaction were way too long and slow. Even so, the plot of the Oresteia is so fascinating that we cannot help but pay attention and even enjoy that ancient, archaic and raw poetry, which only reaches us after having a great part of its lyricism and its sound pruned by the translation, no matter how good it is.

    Peter Hall's Oresteia at Epidaurus is heroic. It takes a lot of courage to peel off a literary monument like the Orestes trilogy. And he did it using historically faithful methods, such as clean and minimalist scenography, the use of masks and men in female roles. As for the first two, the effect is curious without being essential; the text is so powerful that it works in an empty setting as it would in grandiose settings. As for masks, I wish they were only for the chorus and not the lead actors, but they do lend an aura of antiquity and authenticity that may or may not enhance the understanding of the poetry and drama.

    In the case of men playing female roles, I don't get what the advantage might be. It is a crude and primitive resource that in no way improves the performance, besides being a sad reminder of a time when women had no right to step on a stage. Furthermore, it is simply unpleasant to see extraordinary roles, such as Clytemnestra, Cassandra and Athena being played with male voices. It's weird and there is no catharsis.

    This Oresteia is good in the sense that it's unique. The few other existing versions that we could compare this one to (especially the 1979 version directed by Bill Hays with a stellar cast) are virtually impossible to find, so this Youtube copy will have to do.
    helpful•0
    0
    • bernardoarquivo
    • Oct 28, 2020

    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 9, 1983 (United Kingdom)
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Oresteia
    • Filming locations
      • Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Channel 4 Television
      • National Theatre of Great Britain
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      3 hours 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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