Mourning Becomes Electra

1947
Approved
2h 39m

IMDb RATING

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.

Director
- Dudley Nichols
Writers
- Eugene O'Neill
- Dudley Nichols
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

1.4K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Dudley Nichols
Writers
- Eugene O'Neill
- Dudley Nichols
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total

Photos7

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Rosalind 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).

Goofs
While 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 versions
This 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.

Connections
Referenced in A Southern Yankee (1948)

Soundtracks
Oh Shenandoah
(uncredited)
Traditional sea chantey
Sung over credits and throughout film by unidentified male chorus

User reviews46

Review

Featured review

This movie has had a bad rap for years....

This is one of the best acted, entertaining movies I've ever seen. I don't know why it is so bashed by the media. Rosalind Russell is perfect as the overwrought Lavinia, whose hatred gets the best of her. Russell is simply superb. Michael Redgrave, while not as good as Russell, nevertheless gives substance to a weak role. I thought Katina Paxinou, of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" fame, was excellent too and her scenes with Russell crackle with bitchiness that O'Neill probably didn't intend.

And the best news of all, this magnificent film is finally being released on DVD in December 2004. Never on VHS, laserdisc, or any form except, for God bless it, TCM, this film needs exposure to help its reputation as a great drama and a well-acted film that has been mistreated by the years.