Oedipus Rex
Seen it?1967 | 105 min | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1967: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In pre-war Italy, a young couple have a baby boy. The father, however, is jealous of his son - and the scene moves to antiquity, where the baby is taken into the desert to be killed. He is rescued, given the name Oedipus, and brought up by the King and Queen of Corinth as their son. One day an oracle informs Oedipus that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified, he flees Corinth and his supposed parents - only to get into a fight and kill an older man on the road…
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 38K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Franco CittiOedipus
- Silvana ManganoJocasta, Queen of Thebes (and unnamed Italian young mother)
- Alida ValliMerope, Queen of Corinth
- Carmelo BeneCreon
- Julian BeckTiresias
- Luciano BartoliLaius, King of Thebes (and unnamed Italian young father)
- Francesco LeonettiServo di Laio
- Ahmed BelhachmiPolybus, King of Corinth
- Giovanni Ivan ScratugliaSacerdote
- Giandomenico DavoliPastore di Polibo