4/5 Authenticity inspired by Pasolini
  by V. Van Der Knaap
I do like the work of Kakogiannis. There are definitely echo's of Pasolini's Medea and Edipo Re in his movies. I think this movie is made with a lot of respect for the original playwrite. Also, I like the original scenery chosen. I am still hoping that one day also the Odyssee and Eneide from Rossi will be put on DVD !

5/5 We couldn't stop weeping
  by Margaret Dybala (Pearland, Texas United States)
I don't have the background to discuss the classics and the place of Iphigenia in the canon of Greek literature. But I can say that this was so beautifully acted that everyone in my family literally sat weeping through most of it.

Of course, most people know the story of how the Greek army is told that their leader's daughter must be sacrificed to Artemis (whose sacred stag he had arrogantly killed) or the winds won't blow their ships to Troy.

In this play/film, we see Clytemnestra (Iphigenia's mother) and Iphigenia happily going to the sacrificial site, thinking she is going to be wed to Achilles. But when they arrive at the army camp, they discover that, instead, she is to die.

What tragedy!! I even sympathized with Agammemnon (and doesn't everyone always hate HIM!). It is so well acted!

If I recall correctly, these plays fulfilled a religious purpose and were supposed to purge emotions (correct me if I'm wrong). Well, we were sure purged of grief!

The girl who played Iphigenia was perfect! And who can ever say anything critical of Irene Pappas? She is wonderful.

This film is truly a masterpiece, and you don't have to be an expert in Greek lit to know it!

5/5 Powerfully Rendered Greek Tragedy
  by R. J. Marsella (California)
Greek Tragedy does not often get translated to film in a very convincing way. Iphigenia is a notable exception. The movie is perfectly paced, acted and and directed. Irene Pappas is the best known performer in the movie to non Greek viewers and she along with the entire cast is wonderful in this. The story line based on Euripides' tragic play is well outlined below so I won't repeat what others have already said regarding the plot. Filmed in stark rural settings, Iphigenia is a great way to be introduced to Euripides for someone who hasn't read the original yet. This is not a slick Hollywood production with tons of special effects. It is an artistic film true to the spirit of the original play with a fine cast and what may be for some slow pacing. Just sit back and enjoy.

In Greek with subtitles.

4/5 I wanted something different and this delivered
  by Gregory Geiger (Uncasville, CT USA)
I enjoyed the acting in this very interesting film. It was refreshing to view a film untainted by the worn out formula of graphic sex, violence, explosions and vulgarity. Good acting and lots of options with subtitles and dubbing. If you're not in the mood for this radical departure, you may not like it. But I was hungry for a change of pace and this delivered nicely. I got so absorbed in the acting I felt like I was in the presence of the actors. There are a couple very powerful moments in the film where the acting between the king and the queen is a real jaw-dropper. For me, just those well-acted scenes were worth the cost.

5/5 "To Wake Up The Winds" ~ What Cruelty The Gods Demand
  by Brian E. Erland (CA - USA)
Note: Greek & Spanish with English subtitles.

The '77 film `Iphigenia' begins slowly and I must admit uninterestingly. The first images that greet your eyes are nothing more than a lot of half naked, Greek men lounging around a beach on a hot, sweltering, windless afternoon. You notice scattered piles of armor and other tools of warfare here and there serving as an indication of the time period of the tale that is to follow.

The mood is restless, even angry and the soundtrack amplifies the mood with appropriately discordant music. The men are anxious to sent sail for Troy and reclaim the beautiful Helen but the Gods have withheld the wind from their sails until they have been appeased with the sacrifice of their own choosing. When commander Agamemnon learns that the Gods demand the life of his beloved daughter Iphigenia he is coherced into sending for her under the pretense that she is to marry the brave Achilles.

Iphigenia (Tatiana Papamoschou) happily arrives in camp with her Mother (Irene Papas) and female attendants under the delusion that her marriage is at hand (This is where the film comes alive and captures the audiences rapt attention). As the lies and pretenses of Iphigenia's reason for being summoned slowly fall away and her true purpose for being there is made known the viewer is caught up in this heart wrenching tale of familial love versus blind obedience to an unsympathetic Divinity.

Excellent adaptation of Greek tragedy captured on film. The only thing missing is the outdoor amphitheater and chorus.