Phaedra

US-France-Greece (1962): Drama

Inspired by Euripedes' tragedy Hippolytus and set in modern times, this allegorical tale centers on the love-triangle between a fabulously wealthy Greek shipping-magnate (Raf Vallone), his lonely second wife (Melina Mercouri) and his first-born son (Anthony Perkins). The affair between the wife and her step-son begins soon after she arrives in London to bring him back to Greece so her husband can teach him about shipping and he can marry another tycoon's daughter to cement a new alliance. Though the son quickly falls in love with his beautiful stepmother, he cannot overcome his crushing guilt at having betrayed his father. When the wife learns of her husband's planned betrothal of his son, she becomes enraged and confesses her affair. Great tragedy follows as her husband beats his son senseless while verbally battering the wife. Jules Dassin directs. (Joele-Melinafilm/Lopert Pictures) (Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide)

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1 nomination