IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Oresteia set in New England, after the American Civil War.Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Oresteia set in New England, after the American Civil War.Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Oresteia set in New England, after the American Civil War.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- Eugene O'Neill
- Dudley Nichols(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRosalind Russell received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Lavinia in this movie. Apparently, she was so sure she was going to win that when the winner was about to be announced, she had risen from her seat to accept it... only to discover that Loretta Young had won for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter (1947).
- GoofsWhile Adam Brandt stands by the bench where Lavinia is seated, he holds his hat by his side and then drops it on the ground. Instead of hastily picking it up and putting it on the bench next to him as he sits down, he seems to forget about it and leaves it on the ground after sitting down to talk to her.
- Quotes
Orin Mannon: You folks at home take death so solemnly. You have to learn to mock or go crazy.
- Alternate versionsThis is (unfortunately) usually shown on television in a heavily cut 105-minute version. The 159-minute UK version can sometimes be seen on Turner Classic Movies.
- ConnectionsReferenced in A Southern Yankee (1948)
- SoundtracksOh Shenandoah
(uncredited)
Traditional sea chantey
Sung over credits and throughout film by unidentified male chorus
Featured review
One example of something Film can offer, and so rarely does
I found this film fascinating, stimulating, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Though I have not ever seen a stage production of the O'Neil original, this nearly 3 hour long film seemed to be essentially a filmed version of that play. And for that I thank the filmmakers of this production, actors, directors, producers and studio. In reviewing other's opinions about this film, I am amazed that so often the negative criticisms concern exactly those strengths I found in this film. That it was not full of artificially cooked-up "atmosphere" from Steiner (whom I do truly respect and enjoy elsewhere), that it was not full of quick cuts and microscopic closeups was something I found wonderful. That it was confined essentially to a very few sets was also wonderful. Those sets were very detailed and not skimpy at all. This was a filmed play! That some should state that as a negative is beyond me. There are so many films (even in this film's release era of 1947) available to so many people in so many areas, but how many of us have been lucky enough to experience a great playwright's work, brought to life by great acting and delivery? Far far fewer folks, in far far fewer venues, and far far fewer locations. This then is what I mean when I say that this film was one example of something Film can offer and so rarely does. The opportunity to experience a play!
And what a wonderful experience it was. The acting was terrific. After more than one scene between Christina and Lavinia, I fairly exclaimed with pleasure at the dramatic interplay between the two. What some called disdainfully "overacting", I found thrilling and stimulating. After all, one is not watching a home movie of one's family or friends. So called "realism" in many modern films is in my mind vastly overrated. A work of film, or of the stage, should be "realistic" it is true, but should not ever be so real as to distract from the art itself.
Tastes change and film-making is an industry to make money like other manufacturing methods. But part of the admiration for what is often called the "Golden Age of Hollywood" is attributable to the then less uncommon understanding that "Art" was as valid the goal as earning a profit! At least by the people involved in the acting and production, if not by the investors themselves. Sure there are occasionally great films made today, and there were plenty of "B" pictures made then too, but to critically dismiss this film for not being something other than what it was, is to miss the point I feel.
Rosiland Russell Rules! JACK in Maine
And what a wonderful experience it was. The acting was terrific. After more than one scene between Christina and Lavinia, I fairly exclaimed with pleasure at the dramatic interplay between the two. What some called disdainfully "overacting", I found thrilling and stimulating. After all, one is not watching a home movie of one's family or friends. So called "realism" in many modern films is in my mind vastly overrated. A work of film, or of the stage, should be "realistic" it is true, but should not ever be so real as to distract from the art itself.
Tastes change and film-making is an industry to make money like other manufacturing methods. But part of the admiration for what is often called the "Golden Age of Hollywood" is attributable to the then less uncommon understanding that "Art" was as valid the goal as earning a profit! At least by the people involved in the acting and production, if not by the investors themselves. Sure there are occasionally great films made today, and there were plenty of "B" pictures made then too, but to critically dismiss this film for not being something other than what it was, is to miss the point I feel.
Rosiland Russell Rules! JACK in Maine
helpful•363
- Jack_Me
- Feb 10, 2005
- How long is Mourning Becomes Electra?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Eugene O'Neill's Mourning Becomes Electra
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,342,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 39 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was Mourning Becomes Electra (1947) officially released in India in English?
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