MEDEA (1959) JUDITH ANDERSON

This is the televised filming of Robinson Jeffers' adaptation of Medea, written for Judith Anderson, here performed in 1959. "The Greatest Living Actress" Judith Anderson was given her title as Dame by Queen Elizabeth the year following the release of this filmed production of Anderson's greatest work. It was through her monumental contributions to the arts which won Dame Judith Anderson her spot in history. What you see here is the only fully captured memento of an unparalleled production of the twentieth century-- a masterpiece of theatre, and a performance which had the power to break every record for Greek Tragedy in theatre, ever.
Anderson first opened Medea in October 1947, touring for the record-breaking run of 214 performances, showing to full houses even until its close. Between the mistreatment by producers and the staggering exhaustion of her performances being sustained for so long-- with performances six days a week, Medea took a tremendous toll on Anderson. She closed her performance early when the producers refused to meet her demands for fairer treatment and earned respect, and as a result of the early close theatregoers were clawing at ticket booths in outrage to have missed their chance to see this piece of history.
After a long break for her health, however, Anderson went on to return to the role-- Her role-- in new tours a number of times across the 1950s, and even still into the 1960s, when she was nearly 70 years old. Always allowing the role to develop and change with her, this was an intimate affair for Anderson. Reviewers said of the performance that it was useless now for anyone else to play the part-- so complete was her understanding of the role, so profound her artistry, that no one else could do justice in her wake. Even Euripides-- even the mythological witch-priestess from Colchis, Medea, herself, would not understand the character as wholly as did Judith Anderson.
And indeed, Anderson felt very close to the role, even admitting in late life that she personally identified as Medea even then. She was relatively quiet about her interpretation of the character, just as she was private about details of her personal life-- and both subjects were often off-limits to interviewers.
Now, the work of Jeffers should not be understated. In adapting the famous tragedy by Euripides, written over 2,000 years ago, American poet Robinson Jeffers breathed new life into the characters through and through. This adaptation transforms the dusty and inaccessible language of ancient literature into one of the most unmistakably human tragedies today, exploring every extreme of emotion with clarity and magnificent poetry, while yet preserving the timeless magic of Euripides in every line of his language.
Jeffers had written this role by the request of Anderson, a long and dear friend, and the result which you see today of their collaboration is simply unmatched.
Please enjoy.
With all my love,
Rachel Geraghty
ACT I: 0:00:00
ACT II: 31:10
ACT III: 45:06
ACT IV: 1:00:06
ACT V: 1:18:45

[@medeajerdana]

With all my love, please enjoy.

[@floris.927]

“Gods of my father’s country! You saw me on my knees before the Great Dog of Corinth. Humbled, holding my heart in my hand for a dog to bite. BREAK THIS DOG’S TEETH!” … I played the audio recording so many times that these lines have been engraved in my mind. I didn’t know it was possible to see a full video recording. Thanks so much!

[@medeajerdana]

I made it available for the world, not two weeks ago! I'm glad you enjoy her magnificent performance too!

[@mistersmith1883]

I keep replaying many lines as well. The lines are all so poetic, vivid, succinct.

[@HaasRegen]

Glorious language from a perfect vocal instrument. Emotion enhanced by technique. This must be how the Greeks heard it in their language. Epic, majestic, revolting, transcendent. Everything.

[@oldnewsclipster]

Amazing performance. Breathtaking. I had no idea... reading comments and resarching it - I had no idea Mrs. Danvers had such a background. Now entering Judith Anderson binge-mode.

[@marcellodantedealmeidanune9445]

Assiste-se aqui, ao verdadeiro Teatro da Dramaturgia Grega Clássica. Cenário único, ambiente palaciano simples, grandes atores em cena, belíssima fotografia em branco e preto "NOIR". Judith Anderson, IMPECÁVEL e maravilhosa como Medea e não terá nenhuma rival no papel. Parabéns ao canal por exibir essa obra de arte cinematográfica eterna. Não há melhor Medea.

[@irish66]

Part of Play of thed Week series. Thank you.

[@Oetta]

She is everything

[@BrianJosephMorgan]

Brava, Dame Judith! Bravo, Quintero.

[@_jeicz]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful masters piece with us ❣️

[@jubalcalif9100]

Can't thank you enough for uploading this magnificent production !!

[@medeajerdana]

You're very welcome! She needed to be shared!

[@jubalcalif9100]

@@medeajerdana She did indeed. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[@ammariarosavalon4785]

Thank you so much for creating this channel and uploading these videos! Dame Judith was my great aunt - it’s a joy to get to see all of these❤

[@medeajerdana]

A marvelous surprise to have seen this comment today! I'm very glad my little channel has brought you joy. ❤ On my journey through the arts, with the goal to write about Dame Judith and her life (after my current book I'm writing for her!) I try to be very careful and appreciative of legacy. That she never had children of her own, Anderson keeps her particular immortality through her artwork-- so long as her artwork is remembered, and I want it to be! It is a beautiful thing to be reminded of the lasting presence of her family. My love to you!

[@MarcusAndre85]

Thank you for rip the VHS April! S2

[@silverdandylmao]

I love love love how morbid the Nurse's account of "the incident", like seriously, Euripides went ALL OUT. (Spoilers) The princess caught fire, she tried to take off the wreath and dress but it was hot and clinged to her flesh. She burned and burned, collapsed on the floor, untouchable. And her father tried to smother the flames but then he caught fire too and was overcome with pain and collapsed with her. He tried to get up but they were glued together and it tore the flesh from his bones LIKE DUDE THAT IS SO METAL?!?!

[@ivancervi1825]

Tre Medea, Anderson, Caldwell, Rigg..una piu' diverse dall'altra per personalita', per stile..e tutte tre stupefacenti!.per me Caldwell was a real dog as Medea was..historic!♥️

[@atthebijou8209]

where the heck has this been hiding all my life? saw her HAMLET in 1971, which was preposterous but I dug it. yes and let's not forget Euripides please.

[@medeajerdana]

What a marvelous thing for you to have seen! I would love to hear about your experience. I always admired her dedication in having taken on such a role, even despite the criticism and dissuasion she received for attempting Hamlet-- and Anderson is often left out of contemporary discussions on Hamlets who have been portrayed by women historically. I think it's a disservice to her, who was over 70 years old when she gave herself that challenge. She was a sharp mind to the end, and I believe her Hamlet is a strong testament as to why!

[@kalvinwilliams2557]

Ahhh if this was but a few minutes shorter I would dub it onto a C-90!! I wish it was easier to find 100+ minute blank cassettes. Maybe I will try increasing the audio speed to 1.25 while dubbing during certain sections, but it won't be easy or ideal. Great performance

[@rainespells1273]

OMG OMG ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT like there’s only so many times I can play the decca recording Edit: that was a lie I am listening to it now and I can listen to it infinitely 🤣

[@medeajerdana]

That record changed my life two and a half years ago!! And it took me two years to get my hands on a copy of the film from 1959, so with the help of my dear friend I was able to immediately digitize it to one day share it with the world too (After I got to spend many months enjoying having it all to myself, that is)! I have the play memorized, it's nothing short of spectacular-- and it really warms my heart more than you know to learn that it's special to you too 💘 Before the premiere launches on Monday, there will be one smaller treasure I'll be uploading which I hope you'll like!

[@rainespells1273]

@@medeajerdana That is amazing to hear!!! It’s always an awesome feeling to that the actresses I’ve become obsessed with already have devotees. And thank you for your efforts!! It’s hard to get physical copies of anything where I live. As much as I was willing to give away a limb to see this play lol I am so grateful 🤧 Also when this is up I will have it converted to mp4 or something and listen to it nonstop and Jeffers’ version will get etched into another brain!!

[@sarahmason3899]

Heyyyy!!! She went on to play the Nurse too!!!

[@sleepingdogpro]

Oh my GOD.

[@mistersmith1883]

As barbaric as Medea was I'm glad she got her revenge on Giason and Creon... She was smart bc she made an alliance w Athens before she took off on her golden chariot.

[@thallesvinicius2729]

01:10

[@Stoker-yw8pm]

Is that Coleen Dewhurst?

[@ohwell94]

Yup One of the women I think the First Woman