Original subtitles

WHEN THE TEN-YEAR WAR AGAINST TROY WAS OVER...

...AGAMEMNON RETURNED VICTORIOUS TO HIS KINGDOM OF ARGOS

THE PEOPLE AND HIS QUEEN RECEIVED HIM WITH GREAT HONOURS

Strike him!

ELECTRA

Unlucky Argos.

During the age of Agamemnon, she once ruled the earth and the sea.

What happened?

Do you remember...

...everyone said that when he returned, he would be the gods' favorite.

''The gods' favorite.''

He who they slaughtered and buried in a field, like a mad dog!

Assassins!

Aegisthus married her off to a poor man.

He'll be less afraid of her.

Poor Electra.

The most attractive suitors in Greece asked for her hand...

...but he refused them all.

He should be careful of vengeance.

It's a wonder he didn't kill Electra.

All these years, she was locked up in the palace.

Her mother was the one who saved her.

Her conniving mother is quite clever!

She was afraid of the people's fury.

Having married her to him, she buries her alive.

So she is quiet.

''The sun looked down upon the earth

''From his golden chariot

''And decided when he saw the injustice

''To change his course

''The sunrise went dark

''The sunset caught fire

''The northern clouds began to race

''All of nature was devastated

''But a day will come

''A better day

''The country will celebrate The mountains will turn green

''The earth will quench its thirst The mountains will turn green''

I am Electra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.

What misery, what pity.

My life is bitter.

My daughter...

...don't sigh.

You must talk to the gods. They will listen to you.

No god hears me.

No human listens to my prayers.

I cry for the king's death and for those who are hiding.

She means her brother.

Orestes.

Oh, precious child of that father, tell me where he is?

In what land, in which house could he be hiding?

Come to your sister, who is reduced to less than nothing.

Thrown out of your father's palace...

...exiled to this miserable place.

While my mother spends her nights...

...in a criminal bed with another man.

If any of you know where my father is buried...

...please take me there.

I want to go and pray, and relieve my pain.

''Go and cry

''Go and cry

''With bitter tears

''Sweeten my pain

''With bitter tears

''Sweeten my pain

''With bitter tears

''Sweeten my pain''

Like a young swan...

...crying for its father that's been caught in a net.

He laments continuously in the middle of the river that carries him along.

I, too, cry for you.

Do you hear me?

Father, I love you. You who are in the netherworld.

I have offered you my hair.

I have sacrificed it to you.

Look at my fingernails. I scratch my cheeks.

I was certain I would find you here.

Are you waiting for your brother...

...the courageous Orestes, to come in defense of his father's tomb?

-He will. -When?

He'll come and avenge our bad fortune.

He will.

He will not dare.

He knows that I'll reward those who bring me his head.

Orestes!

Pylades, my loyal friend. You've come.

I just received your message in Phocis.

I encountered your servant at the border, and here I am.

You were the only one who has always helped me in my time of need.

The oracle of Delphi has spoken.

I must avenge my father.

But how?

It's impossible for me to enter the palace.

That's why I must stay very close to the border.

If I am recognized, I can cross it quickly.

Otherwise I will look for my sister.

I heard that she is married, and she no longer lives in the palace.

She'll tell me all the details and I'll ask her to help me...

...if she wants to.

Sunrise has begun.

It's time to go to the village.

I hope we'll find some peasant...

...who will tell us something about my sister.

Why do you work so hard, Electra? You have enough unhappiness.

I keep telling you this but you won't listen to me.

I've been very lucky to find in you a good and completely loyal friend.

It's a great pleasure to help you in everything.

Let me look after the house for you.

After a hard day's work, a man likes to find his house in order.

If you insist, go ahead, the fountain isn't far.

I have to go to work in the fields. It's sowing time.

I see a woman with an urn.

She must be a slave because of her hair.

Should we ask her?

No, we'll find someone else who will tell us.

Come on, let's find her.

She's at the fountain.

A young man from Mycinae arrived a short while ago...

...to invite the people of Argos to a village dance.

All the girls in the village are preparing their most beautiful dresses.

My heart is broken, dear friends, and as far as parties and dresses....

I'll give you my most beautiful tunic.

And my rings and my necklaces.

The sun will be jealous of your beauty.

I won't dance anymore.

Nor sing anymore with the girls of Argos.

Women.

Quick. Hide me.

There are two strangers in front of your house.

They must be assassins. Aegisthus sent them, I'm sure.

Good women, don't be afraid. We're friends.

Someone told me that one of you living here...

...is called Electra.

I swear before the gods that I only want the best for her.

I know her brother.

Poor woman! Come back!

I bring news of your brother.

Is he alive? Or dead?

He's alive.

God bless you, stranger, for those sweet words.

Good wishes for both of us.

In what land does my brother live?

He goes from one to the next, and he suffers.

Does he have all he needs to eat?

Yes, but his exile is killing him.

What message do you bring for me?

He simply wants to have news of you.

You can see for yourself what destiny has done to me.

Yes, I can see it. I cry for you as well.

Why are you living so far from the palace?

I had a pitiful marriage.

Now I cry for your brother.

Tell me who your husband is.

Not one that my father would have chosen.

He's poor, though generous.

He respects me.

What respect are you referring to?

He has never touched me.

Did he promise the gods not to, or did he refuse?

He said that the one who gave me to him had no right to do so.

Is he afraid of Orestes?

He doesn't want to dishonor him.

And the mother who gave you life?

-Why did she permit this marriage? -Women only listen to their men.

But why would Aegisthus allow this disgrace?

So that my children would grow up to be insignificant.

Was he afraid that they would want revenge?

He's afraid of vengeance, and that fear devours him.

Do they know you're still a virgin?

No, I kept it a secret.

Don't be afraid of these women, none of them would betray me.

If Orestes were here, if only he could see you.

Stranger...

...if I were to see him again...

...I'm sure that I would not recognize him.

Speak cruel words to me that I can tell your brother.

He needs to harden his heart.

First...

...tell him his mother is rolling in luxury, without modesty.

Tell him also that she has Trojan slaves that his father took...

...that she put me out of the palace, that I was locked up for many long years.

She threw me out like an animal. A sick animal.

Tell him that I must go myself to fetch water from the fountain.

That I, his sister, is dressed in rags.

That I'm ashamed of myself in front of the other women.

And, more than anything else, tell him about this assassin...

...who struts so proudly on the grave of the one he killed.

Who has the boldness to take the scepter in his wicked hands.

When I think that they just gave his corpse to the vultures....

Never has his tomb received water...

...nor incense, nor myrtle leaves. Never.

And that when this husband of my mother drinks, when he's getting drunk...

...this man curiously courageous...

...who throws stones at the dead, leads a life of luxury.

Please, Orestes, where are you?

Why doesn't he come?

Explain to him.

The proof is here to convince him.

Here are my hands...

...my poor mind and my cut hair.

If Orestes returns...

...what must he do?

Stranger...

...you ought to be ashamed to ask me that question.

Must he kill the assassins?

He must dare to do what they have dared!

His mother also? Who is also your mother?

Her as well.

Would you help him?

The same way she helped him...

...with an axe.

I see your husband on the road. He's returning from work.

No, God! This can't be your husband!

Who are those strangers in front of my house?

Are they waiting for me?

It is bad that a women lets herself be seen with young men.

I assure you she didn't do anything wrong. You must believe that.

These strangers brought me news of Orestes.

You have to excuse what he said.

Then, he's alive.

He sees the light of day?

They told us so.

Glory to the gods!

What else did they say?

He sent them here to see her misfortune.

Some of her misfortune they can see, and as for the others, she'll tell them.

But we must open our house to these men.

My house is poor, but it is yours, for bringing this good news.

He's not the most important man in Argos.

He is not vain like nobles are.

He is one of the best among his kind.

It's true, nobleness is not readily apparent.

Because you can be born noble and be worth nothing.

To be born with a generous heart is true nobility.

You're right.

I've seen incredible greed in the rich...

...and complete generosity in the poor.

Come in, won't you?

It's pleasure to welcome friends in the house, or friends of friends.

We accept your hospitality, and judge it worthy of Agamemnon's son...

...should he be with us...or not.

Tell me, why did you invite these rich strangers, you who are so poor?

If they are as noble as they look...

...they will be content with as much as I can offer them.

In that case, go and look for my brother's tutor...

...who is forced now to tend animals in the valley.

Ask him to bring what he can to offer our guests.

I know he will be so happy...

...to learn that the child he taught is alive.

I'll tell him.

And you prepare all you can.

I'm sure we will find all that we need to make a good dinner for them.

Please help her, won't you?

One day, in the port of Nauplis...

...I remember that someone...

...coming back from Troy was talking about the beauty...

...and brilliancy of a certain shield famous in Greece.

A very fast man.

In the center, we saw the splendor of the shining circle...

...of the sun surrounded by flying horses.

A line of stars danced like a garland of roses.

It was Achilles' shield.

And Agamemnon's sword engraved with gold...

...that instilled fear in Hector's eyes.

That's true, all the horses raced in front of his killing sword...

...lifting up blinding clouds of dust.

That's the courageous soldier. The one who wanted to fight.

And this hero was to be her husband.

Where is my lady, Agamemnon's daughter?

I brought up her father years ago.

The way is long and hard to her house for an old man like me.

Is it you, my daughter?

I bring you a suckling lamb...

...some cheese freshly made today and some wine.

It's old and aromatic.

Bring it to the guests so they can drink.

I'll just sit down a moment and rest a bit...

...and dry my tears with my rag.

Tell me why are you crying this way.

Earlier, at the tomb of your father...

...I rested awhile, and felt the tears spilling down my cheek.

On the tombstone, I saw offerings...

...and recently cut blonde hairs and I asked myself:

''Who did that?''

It's not someone from Argos. No.

Then I thought that maybe his son had crossed the border...

...to honor his humble tomb.

Old man, you don't speak wisely.

My brother is fearless, and will return without fear.

When he comes back, he'll return with bravery.

Before I go back, I would like to have some news about him.

Bring me to the strangers because I can't see. I'm old.

Greetings, strangers.

Greetings, old man.

This man you see educated my father.

Was it also he who saved Orestes?

That's right.

Why is he looking at me like this?

That's what I'm wondering myself.

My daughter, pray to the gods.

Now prepare yourself to receive a priceless gift.

What are you saying?

You seem delirious.

Me, delirious? When I stand before your brother?

Are you saying he's my brother?

Orestes, the son of Agamemnon.

Give me proof, I must be certain.

If you look behind his left ear, you'll find an old scar...

...that he got while hunting deer with you.

I remember.

And the sword he carries was his father's sword.

It has come.

The day we've been waiting for has come at last.

He has come like the sun that hides the black night.

He who has suffered in exile returns.

He's a god!

He's a god!

He brings us victory, my good women!

Old man, you're here at the crucial hour. Advise me now.

Have we still friends here in Argos? Who can I contact?

Where can I find them?

No one can expect to have friends in times of misfortune.

To reconquer your land you must rely only on your strength...

...and good fortune.

How can I achieve this?

By killing them both.

I'm here for this...

...but how?

I believe I know the right way to do it.

I am listening.

Tonight is the feast of the vine.

Everyone knows that Aegisthus is a fervent disciple of Bacchus.

He will make a sacrifice...

...and then drink until the sun rises.

Tell me where this feast will be.

At the vineyards, near where the chariots pass by.

Will there be many of them?

His personal guards and the winemaker.

If I win...

...will they join me?

If you tell them who you are, yes.

Tell me how I can approach him.

In a way that won't be suspicious...

...and when he feels safe, he'll invite you to his table.

Then you'll know what to do.

-Will our mother be there? -She never goes out with him.

She is afraid of people gossiping.

Not before the break of day.

She knows very well that everyone hates her.

Then in order to kill them both what must I do?

I'll take her in my charge.

The sun is going down. It's time you left.

Who will show me the direction to go?

I will.

Orestes can find the way now. Go to Clytemnestra and tell her....

-What must I tell her? -That I've given birth, that I've had a son.

-What do you think she will do? -When she knows I've had a son...

...she'll come to visit me out of obligation.

And do you think, my dear, that she'll do this for you?

Yes. This birth will lure her.

-But, my child, are you certain? -She has to come here...

...and she'll never leave.

You must go, you must begin the killing.

Persecutor of my enemies...

...Zeus.

Have mercy on us...

...for our pain and affliction.

Have mercy on us.

And if our cause is just, give us victory.

Help them to avenge their father's murder.

And you, father, buried wrongly.

Earth, our mother, I open my arms to you.

Your loving children implore you.

Father, take with you your dead companions.

Those who were fighting at your side.

And those who loathe vicious and disrespectful criminals.

Can you hear me? You who were killed by my mother?

He has heard everything. Come away.

Be courageous and a man.

Death to Aegisthus!

If he is killed, I'll kill myself, too.

I will plunge a knife into my heart.

Here is the king!

Strangers! Who are you?

From where do you come?

We're from Thessaly.

We've offered up a sacrifice and we're going to Alpheius.

I have, too. I've sacrificed a calf to the gods.

I invite you to sit down at my table.

You can continue your trip after you have rested.

Did you hear that? A refusal would be an insult.

I would like to propose a toast to our generous god, Bacchus.

Together with my wife...

...to have his favors and happiness.

And misfortune to our enemies.

I believe Thessalians are masters at the art of carving.

Take the knife.

Give me proof that you're experts.

We'll see who is expert.

Come quick, my lady.

What is it? We can hear screaming down there...

...far away like a roar.

Listen, now the wind brings this noise clearer.

Yes, I can hear.

Who's screaming like that?

Whose voices are they? It's impossible to know right now.

It's a bad sign. We are lost.

We are lost. I know it.

-You must wait before deciding. -Leave me alone!

They'll never capture me alive!

Stop, wait for news.

The death of a king is never anything simple.

Hear me, everyone.

Mycenaean women! Orestes is the victor!

All his friends must give thanks to the gods.

Do you mean Aegisthus is dead?

He's dead.

Do you want me to repeat it?

God, your divine justice...

...at last you have come to us.

When the slaves saw that their master was dead...

...they readied their lances.

There were many against the two of them.

Then Orestes and Pylades stepped forward with great courage...

...and Orestes said to them:

''I'm not an enemy.

''I've come to give you all liberty...

''...and avenge the death of my father.''

With these words, the slaves put down their lances.

Then an old slave who served in the palace recognized Orestes.

He came near Orestes, and crowned him with laurel leaves.

The palace is asleep in ignorance of what took place.

The feast continues with the new king.

He's coming here to bring proof of his victory.

Oh, Earth. Oh, black night.

Let the light come!

Will this freedom brighten our eyes?

Prepare the flowers and the myrtle leaves to crown your brother!

The good kings have found their thrones once more.

The happiness....

Songs once again will be heard throughout the land.

Accept this crown of flowers from my hands, courageous Orestes...

...because you have defeated not just a common adversary...

...but the one who was our worst enemy.

And you, dear Pylades...

...also accept this crown.

This victory is first of all a gift to the gods.

It's them we must thank.

I was only the instrument. I bring you Aegisthus' corpse.

You can do what you want with it. It's yours.

This man was your master, now he is your servant.

What's wrong?

I would speak, but I am afraid.

You need be afraid no longer.

Perhaps they'll accuse me of insulting the dead.

Nobody would reproach you.

-People accuse and judge quickly here. -Everyone hated him...

...for the misery he caused us. You must speak.

At each sunrise, as I was waking up...

...I said every word in secret.

I would say to his face today:

''You cowardly assassin.''

You, who destroyed both our lives by killing our loving father.

Speak. Speak at last.

What did we do to you?

Coward.

You stayed away from battle and preferred to lay in a forbidden bed.

Maybe you believed that a woman in love, who has deceived her husband...

...can be faithful to another?

But you knew in your own mind...

...that your marriage was stained with blood...

...and damned from the very beginning.

You were both being unfaithful, each to the other.

And when you passed by people said:

''There goes Clytemnestra's husband.''

She made him her king, but she's the one who rules her house.

But you're so insignificant and immoral that you don't feel humiliated...

...to be the toy of a woman. You throw yourself...

...more into the pleasures of life, with no honor whatsoever.

Thinking about nothing more than eating, drinking and being loved.

To seduce every woman you desire with your liquid eyes.

Poor, handsome man.

You never thought things could change.

Only a man's character can help him in times of trial.

You can get lost now, fool.

The way you lived, so you were punished.

-She's coming. -Our mother?

Maybe you feel compassion for her now that you've just seen her.

It's horrible.

How can we kill the one who gave me birth?

Just as she killed our father.

Our mother is almost here...

...in her splendid arrogance.

God spoke nonsense to the oracle!

If the gods are wrong, no one can be right.

Must I really kill my mother and stain my hands with her blood?

If you don't wash away the crime against our father, you'll be damned for eternity.

Maybe a devil wore a god's face?

A devil in the sanctuary of our gods?

No, my brother.

Our destinies are damned.

Wait here. You mustn't think of anything but this:

That she killed him, she killed him...

...with the hand of Aegisthus.

First you get down from the chariot, then help me to descend, too.

I have no other company than these captives from Troy.

They're not much...

...but some compensation for the sacrifice of my daughter, Iphigenia.

Leave her alone. I'll help her myself.

Are you afraid of contaminating your lucky hand?

You don't have to bother. Leave it to the slaves.

But why?

Have I not lived here, like a slave, far from my home?

Shall we start all over again?

You threw me out of my father's palace.

Yes, I know.

It's only natural for women to become angry...

...when they are at a disadvantage in front of strangers.

I'll speak with you calmly.

And when I've spoken the truth in front of those here...

...you'll be the first to admit it.

I'll admit that you have reason to hate me.

I shall begin.

When my father married me to Agamemnon...

...it was not for the sake of killing my children.

Your father forced Iphigenia to come to Aulis...

...while under the pretext of marrying Achilles.

He put her on the altar...

...and there, with a knife...

...he cut her white throat.

If he had sacrificed her for the sake of the Greeks and their children...

...I would have pardoned him, yes.

But did he have to kill my daughter for the caprices of Helen?

If, for example, they had captured Menelaus...

...should I have sacrificed Orestes to save my sister's husband?

Would your father have agreed to that arrangement?

I haven't finished!

You know that when he returned from Troy...

...he brought that woman named Cassandra.

He wanted me to share his bed with her.

Each time a woman behaves this way...

...everyone is quick to judge her.

Men, on the contrary, can do no wrong.

Why must I have all the problems and pay for them, too?

Yes, I killed him. I took the only possible way out:

Alliance with his enemies.

Because none of his friends would have dared help me.

She's right, but her reasons are not honest.

The sensible woman must pardon her husband, that is a truth.

You have listened to me, and now it's your turn to speak.

Do it without fear. Prove to me, if you can, that I was wrong.

Mother, remember that you insisted that I speak without fear.

If you want me to, I'll say it again.

You'll not be angry if I say what I think?

No, I'll listen to you very happily.

It's a pity...

...to be so beautiful, but at the same time so mindless.

The death of your daughter was an excuse for your actions.

You've forgotten that I know you better than anybody in the whole world.

Your dear husband hadn't even left...

...and before he thought of sacrificing your daughter...

...you spent your time at the mirror with your combs and jewelry...

...thinking only of seducing foreigners with your beauty...

...like a courtesan, with tricks and intrigues.

-That's enough! -Come back!

You promised to listen to me.

Talk then, but quickly.

Every time we had news of a Trojan victory, among all the Greeks...

...you were the only happy one.

On the contrary, your eyes narrowed when the Trojans were losing.

You wanted the Greeks to lose...

...and that your husband would never return.

And for the same reason, you let your daughter be killed.

Why did you force my brother and me out of our country?

Why did you give a stranger our inheritance?

Why did you give me a living death, next to my sister?

And if it's true what you pretend...

...that you pay for one crime with another crime...

...aren't you afraid that your hour is at hand?

Dear child, between your father and me...

...you always gave more love to him than to me.

I forgive you.

Don't think I'm proud of my past actions...

...whatever I say.

But you have just had a child, barefoot and dressed in rags.

My poor daughter.

I can see how wrong I was.

I don't want your pity. It's too late.

Why didn't you stop your husband and tell him to leave me in peace?

Didn't you realize he was destroying me?

You know quite well that he's an irritable type...

...and you always provoked him.

Maybe I've suffered, but my peace will come soon.

In that case, he will not be so hard on you.

-Do you think he won't? -You see, you're always looking for trouble.

I shut my mouth because I'm afraid of him.

What is it you want now?

The custom is that ten days after each birth...

...a sacrifice must be made to the gods.

It's my first child, that's why I called you.

I don't know about these things.

That 's why I called you.

Whoever helped you have the child must do it.

I had my son alone.

Don't you have a friend who can accompany you?

No one wants poor people for friends.

Then I will come and pray to the gods for the best things for your son.

Do you think you can go inside this miserable house?

If you prefer, go for your son...

...while I prepare the ceremony here.

Why are you wasting your time? I have to go for my husband.

I don't want to make him angry because of you.

Come if you're in a hurry.

Everything is ready for the sacrifice.

Mother!

Be careful.

You mustn't dirty your veil on the walls.

Her hour of punishment has arrived.

Again the winds are blowing bad tidings.

It's like the day they killed our beloved defender, King Agamemnon.

When the stones were screaming.

They're killing her! She's being murdered by her own children!

Oh, Earth. Oh, Zeus.

See this horrible crime.

Horrible. Horrible.

Look at my mother...

...killed by my own hand.

It's my fault. I was the raging fire...

...the flame that destroyed...

...the mother who gave birth to me.

My brother!

Why, Apollo, did you destroy me...

...with your oracle, and exile me from Greece like a criminal?

Where am I to go now?

And I who caused it. Where?

What friend...

...what man will look me in the face?

And myself?

What man will invite me now to share his love?

Did you see her?

When she was on her knees and embraced my legs...

...she ask for pity.

Did you see when she stretched her hand to my cheek...

...as if to caress me?

The sword trembled in my hands.

I closed my eyes and I struck her.

I gave you courage.

I held the knife that murdered her together with you.

We must cover her now.

Wrap her in her veil, so that her wounds will heal.

You who have been loved.

You who have been hated.

Here, rest under your veil.

There never has been and never will be...

...a family so damned and...

...unhappy!