OEDIPUS REX (Edipo Re) (1967) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Pier Paolo Pasolini

Written by - Pier Paolo Pasolini

Starring - Silvana Mangano, Franco Citti, Alida Valli

"OEDIPUS REX was the first in the MYTHICAL CYCLE by PIER PAOLO PASOLINI, which was followed by TEOREMA and PORCILE. 

Despite it being based on the original work by Greek tragedy author SOPHOCLES, PASOLINI takes full credit for the screenplay. It's easy to see why. This version of the omonimous Greek tragedy is very subjective and has PASOLINI's fingerprints all over it, in terms of thematic attentions and psychological sensitivities. 

This is the story of a boy, abandoned in the desert and brought up by the King and Queen of Corinth as their son. One day, he is spurred to run off horrified by a prophecy that has him destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipis Rex is a marvellous film. No doubt about it. 

The thing about PASOLINI is that, particularly in his MYTHICAL CYCLE, he took the most archetypal stories, ones that are more or less familiar, and defined them with his own subjective and unique dramatic intensities. The rhythm of the film is slow and meditative, hence interacting with the viewer in an almost metaphysical way. 

The cinematography by GIUSEPPE RUZZOLINI takes advantage of the desertic setting, which amplify a feeling of alienation, both in a spiritual sense and a physical sense. 

FRANCO CITTI in the leading role is extraordinary. He was one of PASOLINI's favoured players, and it's easy to see why - here as in ACCATTONE he exhumes a natural charisma, while at the same time ignoring the foundations of melodrama and acting in general, giving the story a sense of incomparable realism. 

He is supported by SILVANA MANGANO, who plays his love interest, wife and mother, beautiful and the subject of conflict and sensuality. It all gradually sinks and masterfully throughout the film."

Drama, Italy/Morocco