Socrates (original Italian title: Socrate) is a 1971 Spanish-Italian-French television film directed by Roberto Rossellini. The film is an adaptation of several Platonic dialogues, including The Apology, Euthyphro, Crito, and Phaedo, and focuses on the final period of the life of the Athenian philosopher Socrates.
Production Details
- Director: Roberto Rossellini
- Screenplay: Roberto Rossellini, Marcella Mariani
- Produced by: Renzo Rossellini
- Cinematography: Jorge H. Martín
- Music: Mario Nascimbene
- Running time: 120 minutes (approximately 2 hours)
- Countries: Spain, Italy, France
- Language: Italian
- Release date: June 17, 1971 (Italy)
Plot
The film depicts the last years of Socrates' life, set against the historical backdrop of Athens' decline following its defeat in the Peloponnesian War. The opening scene shows the demolition of the city walls by the Spartans and the establishment of the Government of the Thirty Tyrants (404 BC). Socrates, now approximately seventy years old, is shown engaged in philosophical inquiry with his followers.
The narrative incorporates excerpts from Plato's dialogues, including Hippias Major, Euthyphro, Republic, Crito, the Apology, and Phaedo. The film culminates in Socrates' trial on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety, his conviction, and his execution by hemlock poisoning.
Cast
- Jean Sylvère as Socrates
- Anne Caprile as Xanthippe, Socrates' wife
- Giuseppe Mannajuolo as Apollodorus
- Ricardo Palacios as Crito
- Antonio Medina as Plato
- Julio Morales as Antisthenes
- Emilio Miguel Hernández as Meletus
Production Notes
Rossellini had wanted to make a film about Socrates for many years prior to production. Due to the Greek military junta (the Regime of the Colonels), location shooting could not take place in Greece. The film was instead shot in Patones Arriba, a town in Spain that was dressed to resemble ancient Athens. Much of the script was drawn directly from Jean-Dominique de La Rochefoucauld's translations of Plato's dialogues. The film makes use of Christian symbolism, with Socrates referring to his followers as "disciples" and a scene involving a chalice.
Reception
On IMDb, the film holds a rating of approximately 7.1/10. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a Tomatometer score of 76% based on critic reviews. Critics have noted the film's undramatic, documentary-like style and its focus on Socratic philosophy and method.
