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Medea [VHS]

Judith Anderson (Actor), Eric Berry (Actor), José Quintero (Director), Rated:
NR
Format: VHS Tape
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 customer reviews
Additional VHS Tape options Edition Discs
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VHS Tape
(Aug 28, 2001)
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$98.99 $49.95
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Product Details

  • Actors: Judith Anderson, Eric Berry, Henry Brandon, Jacqueline Brookes, Morris Carnovsky
  • Directors: José Quintero, Wes Kenney
  • Writers: Euripides, Robinson Jeffers
  • Producers: David Susskind
  • Format: Black & White, NTSC
  • Rated:
    NR
    Not Rated
  • Studio: Pro-Active Entertmnt
  • VHS Release Date: August 28, 2001
  • Run Time: 120 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00000K3UC
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,026 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

1941 Classic

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5.0 out of 5 starsJUDITH ANDERSON'S MEDEA: A VAULTING AND TRAUMATIC CREATION
By A Customer on May 6, 2000
I saw this "Medea" for the first time on television a couple of years after it was made in 1959. Though only a sophomore in high school at the time, I never forgot it. Now, almost forty years later, I've encountered it again on this black and white video. My feelings and opinions are once again validated. This is the legendary Greek tragedy of Euipides adapted for modern audiences by Robinson Jeffers. Medea, of course, is the ominous Colchian princess who possesses evil and magical powers. She stole the Golden Fleece, as well as having killed her own brother for the love of Jason, whom she married and with whom she had two sons. But Jason has grown tired of Medea and has decided to marry Criusa, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth. Medea's response to this state of affairs sets the stage for a bloodbath that would surpass even the most publicized crimes of passion we would encounter in today's newspapers and tabloids. The role of Medea is one that only a great actress could bring to life, and Judith Anderson was, of course, one of the most acclaimed and accomplished actresses of the twentieth century. Her face speaks volumes, and her outbursts and declamations would give the Greek gods themselves anxiety attacks. When the 107 minutes of this very fast-moving epic were finished, I felt completely drained and exhausted. The Robinson Jeffers dialogue is easy to discern, and the picture quality is exactly what you would expect from a 1959 televised broadcast. The picture is slightly murky in the beginning, but soon rights itself.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsMatchless!
By Esteban Molina on December 19, 2003
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I hope the excellence of this production will mean it becomes more widely available. Yes, it's black and white. No matter: it never stops one from watching film noir; why should it matter when one has such a wonderful example of another genre! The cast is uniformly good - and sometimes very much better than good - though Jason is a bit pedestrian. Fortunately we see little of him. But Judith Anderson - what to say about Judith Anderson? Her characterization is superb. She inhabits such a mythic and archetypal plane that every gesture, stance and cadence re-defines reality - and everyone else seems small and shadowy by comparison, part of some other world sketchily realized. Others seem to say their lines compellingly - until she speaks; and then everyone else seems to be speaking somewhat by rote, reaching for the grand manner but never quite attaining it. She simply acts the whole lot of them off the stage and out of the theatre - not because she wants to do that, but because no one else can compare no matter how hard they try. I suspect that one has the chance to experience such a performance very rarely in life. Such things are treasures. Find a way to see this one! [As an aside, I notice that some of Anderson's stances and gentures echo Callas' in her Medea, as preserved in the many stills from the later performances. I wonder who influenced whom? Or perhaps they both tapped into something timeless, who knows? In any event, we have Anderson on film. Find it.]
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Great Classic
By K. D. L on December 2, 2013
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One of the great classics of the theatre, acted by one of the greatest stage actresses of the 20th century. Dame Judith Anderson chews up the scenery in Medea -- one moment, a wounded animal, the next a conniving sorceress bent on destroying those who have hurt her.

A must-see for those who love classical Greek tragedies and great performances. I am glad to own this and grateful it was filmed and preserved.

One other thing: if you look closely at the Greek chorus of women, who will see a young Colleen DeWhurst.
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5.0 out of 5 stars(And some amazing dialogue! ) Following year or so
By Janis Ann on June 28, 2016
I remember this from when it was first shown on TV. I saw it as a kid on a weekend and I have remembered it all these years. Should be mandatory viewing in all film schools. Greek tragedy did not allow bloody scenes to be shown. Instead, the characters come out in front of a plain curtain to described the horror of what has happened. Even as a child no older than ten, I understood that Medea has poisoned her rival and knifed her young children. It was horrifying. And Judith Anderson did it all by sheer acting skill. (And some amazing dialogue!) Following year or so, also saw her in Macbeth on TV. I can still see her in the out-out-damned-spot scene. Wish I had discovered that VHS were available!!! I would give a lot to have this in my collection.
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