pithy review: an unforgettable scorned woman. date viewed: 6/5/10 cons: play this is based on finished third out of three in 431 BC contest. protagonist has issues. pros: nobody remembers the first and second place finishers, let alone still makes movies with them as their basis. great acting, unique visual style..... recommendation: thumbs up....even though you may find it uncomfortable to watch.

As a massive Von Trier buff I feel that this a must see as a technical precursor to Europa. That being said the Dreyer script is somewhat problematic and isn't necessarily a natural work for the director. That being said it is a must see for all Von Trier fans and eventually picks up into a solid adaptation albeit one without a raison d'etre.

Lars Von Trier here makes use of a script by Carl Dreyer, and while it's his weakest feature, his inventiveness shines through, especially in the third act. The change of setting, from ancient Greece to Dark Ages Denmark, adds a feeling of desolation which reinforces the tragedy of the story--more effectively, in fact, than the script, which is fairly thin. The acting is fine, though, and the visual style is strong, especially the final images of Jason madly dashing about an empty field.

Very well done, however I'm not convinced that the changes to the plot were an improvement.