Review of Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht 1948 (Suhrkamp Verlag)

The text of Antigone, as pointed out in the ultra-long title of the film, has gone through many metamorphoses, written initially by Sophocles, then translated to a new purpose by Holdlerin, then explicitly a play about Germany and World War II by Brecht, and finally as a film by Straub and Huillet, aimed at a contemporary audience (S&H removed the explicit references to WWII from Brecht's play). Given the date of production S&H may be invoking the spectre of the first Gulf War: a war for bronze fought by Thebes, may be the war for oil fought by the USA. The film is fascinating because of the textual mutation and comes across as a palimpsest, often evoking obvious comparisons to the fall of Hitler's Germany, but at other times having more ancient concerns. The imbued purpose of the film may more generally be a message about the necessity of "eternal vigilance". Although to sum the film up thusly is simplistic, missing its textures, digressions, and sublimities. For those additions, you have to watch the film.

There are lots of reasons to see this movie, but the one I'd pick out is Werner Rehm's performance as Creon, which is perfect (not to knock Astrid Ofner who is great as Antigone).