Antigone, or its original title- Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht, is one of the most insane films i've ever seen. it is truly a remarkable spectacle. from a visual standpoint, it actually feels like you're watching a play. it is so beautiful.
Antigone has always been a very political play, and as the title of the film suggests, this is a story that has been translated and adapted countless times, and its evolution is clear while watching this film which feels so classical but also modern at the same time.
the character of Creon in the film is quite different from the original play which adds to the political nature of the film. it was always clear that Creon, under the guise of upholding laws, was really just serving his own means. but this film puts even more emphasis on that point, adding additional context surrounding the war with Argos, which makes him seem so much more evil. even in the end, his attitude barely changes which i found to be an interesting choice. and Antigone, who primarily acts out of duty to the gods and her brother, also seems to outright despise Creon in this film and lets him know every chance she gets. Creon's wife is also very different in the film, mainly because she doesn't exist.
for me, the dialogue doesn't quite hit as hard as the original play and the film does mostly rely on dialogue (although the visuals are amazing of course). but even when it comes to the "original," there are so many translations to choose from that you can't really get the full experience without reading multiple versions. so i don't think it's a fair comparison. sure, some scenes might feel less impactful but that's only because we're comparing it to one of the greatest dramas ever written. i'd say the script is very good for what it is.
also i always found it crazy that after what happened with Oedipus, Antigone ended up being engaged to her cousin. i guess that was the acceptable amount of incest in those days.
Antigone, or its original title- Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht, is one of the most insane films i've ever seen. it is truly a remarkable spectacle. from a visual standpoint, it actually feels like you're watching a play. it is so beautiful.
Antigone has always been a very political play, and as the title of the film suggests, this is a story that has been translated and adapted countless times, and its evolution is clear while watching this film which feels so classical but also modern at the same time.
the character of Creon in the film is quite different from the original play which adds to the political nature of the film. it was always clear that Creon, under the guise of upholding laws, was really just serving his own means. but this film puts even more emphasis on that point, adding additional context surrounding the war with Argos, which makes him seem so much more evil. even in the end, his attitude barely changes which i found to be an interesting choice. and Antigone, who primarily acts out of duty to the gods and her brother, also seems to outright despise Creon in this film and lets him know every chance she gets. Creon's wife is also very different in the film, mainly because she doesn't exist.
for me, the dialogue doesn't quite hit as hard as the original play and the film does mostly rely on dialogue (although the visuals are amazing of course). but even when it comes to the "original," there are so many translations to choose from that you can't really get the full experience without reading multiple versions. so i don't think it's a fair comparison. sure, some scenes might feel less impactful but that's only because we're comparing it to one of the greatest dramas ever written. i'd say the script is very good for what it is.
also i always found it crazy that after what happened with Oedipus, Antigone ended up being engaged to her cousin. i guess that was the acceptable amount of incest in those days.
