Educational Media Reviews Online

Even the most knowledgeable theater folk would find Greek Drama: From Ritual to Theater intriguing and fresh. From the mythical birth of theater and the ancient rituals in honor of the god Dionysius, to actual scenes from the Greek classics, this DVD from Films for the Humanities and Sciences encompasses all the important aspects of ancient Greek Drama.

Special structures were built to hold the huge crowds of both audiences and participants as the dramas became popular. The DVD uses detailed animation and actual film of remaining structures to illustrate these early theaters and describe their developments into what we are familiar with today. Academicians and professional Theater Directors explain why theater became so important to Greek society and its link to contemporary society. Watching scenes from the Greek classics, particularly Antigone, Oedipus, and the electrifying Zoe Caldwell as Medea, viewers become aware of the diversity, inclusiveness, and universality of characters, a foundation of Greek, and subsequently, modern democracy. The Greek chorus was the voice of the people. They act, and react, to both king and commoner. Included are discussions of the various translations of the Greek comedies and tragedies. An essential purchase for public and academic libraries.