Director: Gerald Freedman

Starring: Genevieve Bujold, Stacy Keach, Fritz Weaver.

This isn’t a film at all, but a television filming of a Broadway play. The story is a classical Greek tale of politics, betrayal and loyalty. Sophocles’ original is (to my untutored eye) given a fairly faithful rendition, with a few modern touches, most notably Stacy Keach’s props of cigars and brandy.

After a vicious war between two brothers who both held claim to the thrown of Thebes, their uncle takes the crown when they are bth killed. The uncle, Creon decrees that one brother be buried with full honours, while the other’s body is to be left to rot on the outskirts of the city, with a death sentence to anyone who disobeys.

Understandably his sister isn’t to enamoured with this arrangement, and despite the dangers buries her brother.

The bulk of the film is the battles between Creon, and his niece, Antigone. I wouldn’t have normally watched this type of film, but found it to be enjoyable with superb performances all round.