Electra, My Love (1974) review

Strange and wholly unique interpretation of the Electra story by avant-garde filmmaker Jancsó using only an open field and a large cast - he surrounds the principle cast with elaborate background eye candy: hundreds of individuals dancing or processing in crisp unison, standing in blood-red pools, riding horses, cracking whips. The long takes and hypnotic pacing of the beginning give way to a more abrupt editing style and multiple ending points later on, and it's disappointing when Jancsó brings in a helicopter to symbolize a firebird (or 'Phoenix') and tries half-heartedly to make a political statement. At 70 minutes, however, it's accessible - and does manage to have some substance to go along with the overwhelming style.