This filmed theater version of Euripides' tragedy is the most powerful, intense performance of Medea to date. I have seen four later, bigger budgeted film and/or theater versions, all of which are outclassed by this one, due mostly to the outstanding performance of Dame Judith Anderson who summons all the deep emotions possible in this role. Notable also is Henry Brandon, a much overlooked actor who does well in the supporting role of the hapless hero Jason who is brought low. All the classic elements of the Greek theater are observed in this production, with effective use of the stylized chorus which emphasizes the ongoing themes of the actions. This is a must-see for anyone interested in the classical Greek drama. Fortunately, a fair quality video tape of this performance was preserved and is available to demonstrate the gifts of this remarkable actress.
4 Reviews
This was her role!
Sylviastel12 April 2006
Very few actresses can carry the weight of a powerful Greek tragedy like Dame Judith Anderson, she is successful in this low budget play of the week. The quality on the tape was not very good but the sound was fine. I could barely recognize another glorious actress, the wonderful and talented Colleen Dewhurst as one of the other women. Regardless, Dame Judith Anderson is always watchable. It's hard to believe that she played Medea a year before she played Paul Newman's mother in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Dame JUdith can do it all. Some of us remember her from the soap opera, Santa Barbara. Regardless, she is an amazing actress. She was 60 years old playing this role in this film. Despite that, she carried herself and the character better than actresses half her age. That's why she is such a classy dame of theater. She has done Hamlet too. I bought this tape to see an excellent performance and I was not disappointed by Dame Judith. She was one of the finest actresses of her time. Anybody who takes over the role of Medea will always be compared to Dame Judith Anderson's performance.
Brush up your Euripides!
mark.waltz16 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
While many other actresses have taken on the role of the Greek queen Medea, this rule will always have the name of Judith Anderson stamped on it. For those lucky enough to having seen it in one of the many productions that she did from 1947 on (and then seeing her as the nurse opposite Zoe Caldwell in the 1982 revival), they probably didn't realize at the time that they were seeing theatrical history. The same with the audience for this premiere episode of an anthology series devoted to preserving the plays of the past. I've seen revivals of this play in varying ways, but outside of the traditional staging, they have been disappointing. Even a musical variation ("Marie Christine") with Audra McDonald couldn't capture what Anderson does with the translation from the original Greek, and in watching this, you completely forget about the fact that it's Mrs. Danvers and Laura's aunt and Big Mama up there plotting revenge. Perhaps a less elegant Queen Herodias or even the embittered Egyptian slave Memnet, and of course her legendary TV performances as Lady Macbeth. A single performance by an actress having the audience biting their teeth throughout in anticipation of the tragedy that her revenge will lead to.
Watching this 60 something years later, it's not easy to get past the fact that it is a kinescope of a television production done in black and white, but when Anderson charges into the scene, those elements become completely forgotten. Playing her philandering husband Jason, Henry Brandon has the difficult task of being on the sidelines for Anderson as she realizes how insignificant her loyalty is to him, but he comes out just fine. The supporting cast includes some of the most acclaimed character people of early television and the theater, with Aline MacMahon as the nurse, a far cry from all those sensible and loving women in those Warner Brothers pre-code films, dropping wisecracks to survive the harshness of life in the depression.
Colleen Dewhurst is among the women, and it's very historical to see her on the screen with one of the great Broadway legends of the golden age, with me knowing that one day she would be a Broadway legend. The direction by George Schaefer guides this to keeping the viewer intrigued and interested, with the buildup to the shocking twists definitely causing the viewer to shake even if they know that's what's going to happen. This is classic TV at its best, one that needs to be preserved permanently as a part of our cultural history.
Watching this 60 something years later, it's not easy to get past the fact that it is a kinescope of a television production done in black and white, but when Anderson charges into the scene, those elements become completely forgotten. Playing her philandering husband Jason, Henry Brandon has the difficult task of being on the sidelines for Anderson as she realizes how insignificant her loyalty is to him, but he comes out just fine. The supporting cast includes some of the most acclaimed character people of early television and the theater, with Aline MacMahon as the nurse, a far cry from all those sensible and loving women in those Warner Brothers pre-code films, dropping wisecracks to survive the harshness of life in the depression.
Colleen Dewhurst is among the women, and it's very historical to see her on the screen with one of the great Broadway legends of the golden age, with me knowing that one day she would be a Broadway legend. The direction by George Schaefer guides this to keeping the viewer intrigued and interested, with the buildup to the shocking twists definitely causing the viewer to shake even if they know that's what's going to happen. This is classic TV at its best, one that needs to be preserved permanently as a part of our cultural history.
Judith Anderson Giving Perhaps The Finest Performance Ever Recorded For Television
HarlowMGM17 August 2010
Judith Anderson is at the peak of her powers in this television adaption of her greatest stage triumph, MEDEA. Ms. Anderson created a sensation on Broadway in 1948 with Robinson Jeffers' adaption of Euripides legendary Greek tragedy, winning one of the first Tony awards. How she failed to win an Emmy for this broadcast is beyond me (she would win two Emmys for her Lady Macbeth in two different adaptions of MACBETH), it's the most extraordinary performance I ever seen in a television production, full of venom, anguish, black humor, vulnerability, and cunning.
Limited to one set like the play, one scarcely notices it given the brilliant writing and superb performances by most of the cast. Aline MacMahon is very fine as the nurse who knows only too well the potential depth of her mistress' vengeance and the three sympathetic young women of Corith add much with their commentary, particularly the young Coleen Dewhurst. Most of the supporting roles are very well played, although I felt Henry Brandon was not a particularly good Jason, speaking a few of his lines occasionally a little stiffly and at times in way too contemporary a fashion. He also didn't quite capture the narcissism and arrogance of this man whose selfishness was the source of his wife's despair and madness. Fortunately, Judith's performance is so rich and multi-textured, one scarcely notices when another player can't quite keep up.
Filmed about a year before Anderson was crowned a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II, this cherished film should leave no doubt that Judith Anderson was a peerless actress and the one who most deserved the title of the Queen of the American Stage.
Limited to one set like the play, one scarcely notices it given the brilliant writing and superb performances by most of the cast. Aline MacMahon is very fine as the nurse who knows only too well the potential depth of her mistress' vengeance and the three sympathetic young women of Corith add much with their commentary, particularly the young Coleen Dewhurst. Most of the supporting roles are very well played, although I felt Henry Brandon was not a particularly good Jason, speaking a few of his lines occasionally a little stiffly and at times in way too contemporary a fashion. He also didn't quite capture the narcissism and arrogance of this man whose selfishness was the source of his wife's despair and madness. Fortunately, Judith's performance is so rich and multi-textured, one scarcely notices when another player can't quite keep up.
Filmed about a year before Anderson was crowned a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II, this cherished film should leave no doubt that Judith Anderson was a peerless actress and the one who most deserved the title of the Queen of the American Stage.
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