Medea (1987)
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86% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(1,735 ratings)
Shooting entirely on analog video, Lars von Trier directs the made-for-Danish-TV version of the ancient Greek tragedy Medea by Euripides. The screenplay is based on a 1960s adaptation written by master Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer that was never produced during his lifetime. The mythological… More Shooting entirely on analog video, Lars von Trier directs the made-for-Danish-TV version of the ancient Greek tragedy Medea by Euripides. The screenplay is based on a 1960s adaptation written by master Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer that was never produced during his lifetime. The mythological story follows after the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, with Jason (Udo Kier) having successfully returned with the Golden Fleece and ready to marry the young Glauce (Ludmilla Glinska), daughter of King Kreon (Henning Jensen). In doing so, Jason abandons his long-suffering wife, Medea (Kirsten Olesen), who is also the mother of his two children. When the King exiles Medea, she plots a vicious plan of revenge that involves poison, hanging, and misery for all. Produced in 1987, Medea received an extremely limited theatrical release in the U.S. in April of 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Lars von Trier
- Written By
- Carl Theodor Dreyer, Euripides
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Special Interest
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1987 Wide
- Studio
- Facets
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The moment you can forget about Dreyer--or at least reduce his contribution to some parts of the dialogue-- Medea becomes an exhilarating visual feast.
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Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Works on von Trier's own imagistic terms.
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Dave Kehr, New York Times
No admirer of Mr. von Trier's work should miss this compelling rarity.
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Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
It's difficult to imagine the Euripides original ever being more eloquently adapted.
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
The cryptic tale is an exercise in long takes and roundabout dialogue, where every character speaks in riddles.
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