Orpheus

A compelling cinematic allegory from one of the great artists of the twentieth century, ORPHEUS is the perfect example of magical filmmaking. Updating the Greek myth and adding an autobiographical element--the story is now set in in contemporary Paris--Cocteau casts his longtime companion Jean Marais as Orpheus, a famous poet married to Eurydice (Marie Dea). When a fellow poet, the handsome young Cegeste (Edouard Dermit), is hit by a passing motorcyclist in front of a popular cafe, Orpheus is invited by an elegant and mysterious Princess (Maria Casares) to accompany her and the dead poet to her chalet. There, the Princess brings Cegeste "back to life" (by ingenious...