Edipo re (Oedipus Rex) (1967)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(1,698 ratings)

This updated version of the Greek tragedy from Sophocles bears some slight resemblance to the original mythology. Edipo (Franco Citti) is abandoned by his father after the father receives an oracle telling him he will die at the hands of his own son. Raised by a childless couple, Edipo goes through… More This updated version of the Greek tragedy from Sophocles bears some slight resemblance to the original mythology. Edipo (Franco Citti) is abandoned by his father after the father receives an oracle telling him he will die at the hands of his own son. Raised by a childless couple, Edipo goes through a series of adventures before he marries his own mother. When they discover they are mother and son, Edipo blinds himself and his mother commits suicide. It's enough to give the audience a complex. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 7, 1967 Wide
On DVD: Mar 14, 2003
Studio: Water Bearer Films

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
It's not always necessary to understand Pasolini to be riveted by what he does.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
One of the most underrated, neglected, and powerful of Pier Paolo Pasolini's features.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Fervid chanting and handheld tracking shots inform Pasolini's jangling, fabulously blunt pageant, filled to the brim with mysterious splendor
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Slow-moving, sensual, and often gorgeous to behold.
, Time Out
Pasolini's working of the Sophocles tragedy, though not wholly successful, has its very definite strengths.
, Film4
It's a rather piecemeal and sometimes dull affair.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Full of unforgettable imagery, Oedipus Rex is a great retelling of Sophocles Greek tragedy. It's the same old story, Son kills father and marries own mother but Pier Paolo Pasolini entwines it with modern day, giving it a unique slant. It reminded me of Jodorowky's early… More
Full of unforgettable imagery, Oedipus Rex is a great retelling of Sophocles Greek tragedy. It's the same old story, Son kills father and marries own mother but Pier Paolo Pasolini entwines it with modern day, giving it a unique slant. It reminded me of Jodorowky's early work at times but Pier Paolo Pasolini's greatest strength is letting the camera linger, sometimes uncomfortably long, to great effect.
AJ V

Pasolini is an interesting director, it's really worth it for movie fans to at least see one of his movies. This one is his interpretation of the old Oedipus Rex story. It actually takes place where the old story says it takes place, which is awesome. The actors are really… More
Pasolini is an interesting director, it's really worth it for movie fans to at least see one of his movies. This one is his interpretation of the old Oedipus Rex story. It actually takes place where the old story says it takes place, which is awesome. The actors are really good too. The movie is very realistic and intense. I really liked it.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "Oedipus Rex", baby Oedipus is abandoned and left to die but is saved by a stranger and brought before King Polybus(Ahmed Belhachmi) of Corinth who adopts him. Oedipus(Franco Citti) grows up into a headstrong young man but is plagued by strange… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "Oedipus Rex", baby Oedipus is abandoned and left to die but is saved by a stranger and brought before King Polybus(Ahmed Belhachmi) of Corinth who adopts him. Oedipus(Franco Citti) grows up into a headstrong young man but is plagued by strange dreams. So, he makes the pilgrimage to the Oracle at Delphi who delivers the bad news - he is fated to kill his father and have sex with his mother.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]With "Oedipus Rex", Pier Paolo Pasolini reinterprets another classic while adding his own touches.(The movie starts out with a seemingly non-related prologue in modern times and returns to modern times for the finale.) The movie was filmed on location in Morocco and makes fine use of the beautiful but barren locations. By using little dialogue and even some intertitles, Pasolini relies on the imagery to tell this version of Sophocles' play about one person trying to escape his destiny.[/font]
Dimitris S

Removing sentiments,matrimonial confusions,it's no less than a naked intellect.Pasolini is the withering god of punctuality and the desolate face of Citti is fully eloquent in the antique manner of its topic.The kings are not dead yet..