Mourning Becomes Electra

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Mourning Becomes Electra

Released Nov 19, 1947

2h 53m

Drama

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Tomatometer

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67%

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6 Reviews

45%

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250+ Ratings

In a Greek tragedy updated to the 1860s, young New Englanders (Rosalind Russell, Michael Redgrave) exact vengeance after the murder of their father (Raymond Massey).

James Agee

TIME Magazine

O'Neill is one of the finest theatrical craftsmen of his day, and Electra has a gnashing vitality.

Mar 2, 2018

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Dudley Early

Austin American-Statesman

The entire cast is excellent. The somber mood of the story is accentuated in the photography, by George Barnes As might be expected, O'Neill's dialogue is brilliant.

Jun 23, 2020

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

This horrendous tragedy was withdrawn and drastically edited after its disastrous première a couple of years ago. If the original was worse it must have been truly dreadful.

Oct 24, 2019

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The long, talky film, based on an ancient Greek tragedy play, was a bomb at the box office.

Rated: B-

Jun 12, 2011

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Nick Davis

Nick's Flick Picks

More than a curio.... The awkward style and portentous structure of Nichols' film astonishes possess an integritiy that commands attention. Formidable, and memorable.

Rated: B

Aug 21, 2005

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Phil Hall

Film Threat

How to wreck a dramatic masterpiece in three grueling hours.

Rated: 1/5

Sep 10, 2004

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Janice M

I'll have to admit I didn't watch it too closely. It was hard for me to understand the mother when she spoke. It seemed to be a story from a deranged mind. It was different that's for sure. It needed subtitles as far as I'm concerned.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/04/24

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steve d

The update didn't work for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

WOW ..... Such a complex play to begin with, it must have deft direction and well cast Players to hold the viewers attention. Roz Russell is so miscast as to be ludicrous. Ponderous and boring - it is nonetheless interesting as a novelty for the avid film freak.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

I don’t care if it’s O’Neil, or a good performance from Rosalind Russell. This thing is almost unwatchable and deadly dull. O’Neill’s plays are a world unto themselves, and may just be unfilmable. And the great Michael Redgrave got his only Oscar nom for this? If you are still awake deep into the film when he finally appears.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/05/20

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Audience Member

Brutally long for an unpolished piece, Mourning Becomes Electra causes you to twitch as you realize that you still have ages to go before the end.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

So long and boring. It is just constant dialogue.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Dudley Nichols

Director

Rosalind Russell

Lavinia Mannon

Michael Redgrave

Orin Mannon

Raymond Massey

Ezra Mannon

Katina Paxinou

Christine Mannon

Leo Genn

Adam Brant

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Synopsis

In a Greek tragedy updated to the 1860s, young New Englanders (Rosalind Russell, Michael Redgrave) exact vengeance after the murder of their father (Raymond Massey).

Director: Dudley Nichols
Producer: Dudley Nichols
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Pictures
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 1947, Original
Release Date (DVD): Oct 30, 2001
Runtime: 2h 53m