The only movie made by Maria Callas, Medea nevertheless contains not a note of the great diva singing. And yet her presence is stunning, with a face (often seen in close-up) that cuts across the frame like a great phenomenon of nature. This raw, mostly wordless take on the Greek classic is a characteristic film from the influential Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini: intellectually sophisticated yet almost primitive in its feel. The weird, jagged locations and Pasolini's elliptical style contribute to the sense of violence already in the story, and the visual approach (realized by Gangs of New York production designer Dante Ferretti) brings in African masks and pagan rituals. If it's not quite satisfying as a treatment of the original Euripides play, it succeeds as a blunt experience in its own right. And tantalizingly suggests what Callas might have done had she opted for a movie career. --Robert Horton
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Of minimal interest Comment: It's hard to know who exactly would enjoy this violence-ridden, very sick reenactment of what some of ancient history surely was. The script seems to have been about ten pages long, and the rest is scenery and people marching and screaming. Looooong shots of Maria Callas and freaky music apparently thrill many. A terrible bore. Customer Rating: Summary: Not a review, but a Correction Comment: Let me correct "cherubino", the previous reviewer of this DVD. Although the voices are dubbed over the actors, the voice of Medea IS that of Callas herself! I suspect that the dubbing was done due to the external noise that might have got into the recording when filming was taking place. But it is the voice of Callas that we hear on this film. Just a pity that the dubbing was not done very well, as we do see discrepancies between the mouth movements and the sound that is coming out. Customer Rating: Summary: a film that mesmerizes, and provokes questions Comment: Previous reviewers have given much thought and details about the film that surpass what I could possibly say; instead, I wish only to share my reaction to this film.
It does not bother me that the dialogue is minimal. Anyone who really wants to know can read the original play, or listen to Callas' recordings of the operatic rendition by Cherubini. What does bother me is why Callas was dubbed. She knew Italian, and surely could have delivered the lines in a capable manner. What was Pasolini's intent?
The landscapes that we see in this film are often breathtaking. The land is harsh, often barren, but with a starkness and magnificence that beguile you.
I was also struck by how the characters moved, particularly the servantwomen, with their sudden running motions. It certainly distances you from modern-day life, to see people act in this manner.
For the DVD release, they should have interviewed a film scholar, to shed light on Pasolini's technique and artistic choices. Instead, we are just left with the film itself, without having our questions answered.
It is so jarring to see La Divina in this film. She has been mostly experienced through her recordings; in this, we SEE her, frame by frame. Her beauty is not confined to the numerous, sleek photographs taken during her singing career. She is a paragon of meditteranean beauty.
Customer Rating: Summary: MEDEA Comment: Maria Callas she is the Queen of Art God send Her For us Pasolini He is the king of Art They Crown Each other by Medea Callas she give us Art more than aney wamen DiD in the History of Art and pasolini by Medea he give us a film can live in the kingdom Of Art forever[...] Customer Rating: Summary: Euripides under Pasolini ' s approach! Comment: The classic Greek tragedy in hands of Pier Paolo acquires a revaluated vision according to this talented image' s poet .
The simple fact to consider to Maria Callas one of the Goddess of the Opera performing Medea confirms Wagner' s thesis about the arts ` integration .
And since the stated situations may be not perfectly in consonance respect the original script , if you are an open mind viewer , you just . Forget about the rules of the tradition .
The art has never been a definitive statement by itself . The transformation is involved through its grow up process . In this sense transformation and innovation may be well considered equivalent concepts .
Acquire this artwork and get on the line with the cathartic experience.
