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last Pasolini’s “ Medea” featuring an exceptional performance
by Maria Callas is available in DVD- indeed in Two different
boxed-versions. When the film was released in 1970 it
did not enjoy the success it deserved and was probably
not appreciated or understood, even though many distinguished
critics spoke very highs of the film.
At the time memories were perhaps to fresh
of the awesome performance on stage by Callas of new
by re-discovered Cherubini masterpiece, from the unforgettable
debut at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and, again in
1953, at the Scala, Milan, directed by Leonard Bernstein.
Later on Callas was to play the terrible character again
at the beginning of the 1970’s, at Epidauris and
in a new Scala version directed by Schippers.
Going back to the film a fen years ago
it was issued in a VHS version in Italy and by VAI in
the USA. It has long since been unavailable.
Now the French company “ Carlotta”
has issued an album with two DVDs accompanied by some
splendid photographs and, in the video, some beautifully
clear pictures. Obviously this is the complete version
of the film, dubbed ( unfortunately) by Savignone, who
imspite of her brave undertaking is not up to the task
or re-creating Maria’s very special voice.
The second DVD disc is of particular interest with its
“ bonus” material and never-before-seen
documentary footage such as “ the myth of Medea
and Jason”, and recollections of the working period
by the leading male actor and the costume designer Piero
Tosi. There are also “ visions of Medea”
with some of the scenes that Pasolini cut-some lasting
many minutes and of remarkable interest.
In Italy under the editorship of Gianluca
and Stefano Curti, Rarovideo has released a splendid
remastered edition which has been digitally restored
by LVR srl. Under the supervision of the Director of
photography, Ennio Guarrieri. This boxed edition also
boasts certain extras: on the set of “ Medea”
before and after its restoration, and an excellent critical
anthology.
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