Medea (1987)

86% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(1,664 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 16 min.
Directed By: Lars von Trier
Written By: Carl Theodor Dreyer, Euripides
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1987 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003
Studio: Facets

Critic Reviews

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.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Works on von Trier's own imagistic terms.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
No admirer of Mr. von Trier's work should miss this compelling rarity.
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
It's difficult to imagine the Euripides original ever being more eloquently adapted.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
The cryptic tale is an exercise in long takes and roundabout dialogue, where every character speaks in riddles.
Chris Elliot, PopMatters
Adapted from a script composed by the late Danish silent filmmaker Carl Theodor Dryer, this narrative is quiet and elegant.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Strips away the machinations of the gods and leaves the very human story of ambition and jealousy
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Medea concentrates on the human story of ambition and jealousy
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Between this and Dreyer's own ode to castrating matriarchy, Master of the House, one could have a real ironic Mothers' Day film festival.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Produced for Danish television in 1987, Medea is a remarkable, streamlined minimalist tone poem.
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International
Literal and simple-minded.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The muddy, overly-pixilated pictures begin to resonate with a punchy beauty found in very few shot-on-film movies.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
... Has the haunted air of a silent film unearthed just before its irretrievable decay.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
In one startling scene, it appeared to me as if I was looking at Van Gogh's wheatfields with the wind swirling forcefully in and out of the fields.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Lars Von Trier has an amazing style and he made me enjoy a story that I am not to fond of. He made the story of Medea realistic and bleak, which was a nice contrast to the fantastical nature of the source material. The style is unlike any other. The acting was pretty decent and you… More
Lars Von Trier has an amazing style and he made me enjoy a story that I am not to fond of. He made the story of Medea realistic and bleak, which was a nice contrast to the fantastical nature of the source material. The style is unlike any other. The acting was pretty decent and you could really get into the characters. Definitely a visual film though, Von Trier has a great eye for translating word into imagery.

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Medea (1987)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Cast

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