ISLAND OF APHRODITE (THE)


View at Tainiothiki tis Ellados
  • Weitere Titel: ISLAND OF APHRODITE
  • Genre: Feature Film
  • Jahr: 1969
  • Beschreibung: Synopsis Kyriakoulis, an EOKA fighter, is arrested by the British. In order to take revenge, his comrades kidnap David (Kostas Kastanas), son of a British woman (Zorz Sarri) who is friends with the British governor of the island. The British woman’s daughter (Anne Lomberg), along with the diplomat McLane (Stavros Xenidis), try to help the Cypriot captive, planning his escape. After the failure of his plan, the Cypriot fighter is hung by the British, but his mother (Katina Paxinou) does not allow the Cypriots to retaliate against their British captive and frees him with magnanimity.
    1. OPENING TITLES – THE CYPRIOT FIGHT AGAINST THE BRITISH Opening title. Images and snapshots from the fights of the Cypriot people against the British occupation army. (STREETS OF CYPRUS)
    10. THE CONVERSATION OF KIDDS AND NICKS Upon his return to the camp on a jeep, Kidds learns from the unhesitating and cynical Nicks that the terrorist Kyriakoulis has been transferred to the camp for security reasons, in order to stand a trial there. «I am no guard, lieutenant. I am a soldier», replies Kidds rather vexed, and Nicks announces with great emphasis the arrival of the young British woman. Her relationship with Richard at Aden has become known at the secret services. (THE BRITISH CAMP)
    11. LAMPRINI GOES TO THE CAMP TO ASK FOR A FAVOR Lamprini, Kyriakoulis’ mother, goes to visit her son at the camp. She meets lieutenant Kidds and tells him that her husband fought with him against Romel. He was killed as a simple soldier and sacrificed his life for certain ideals – the same ideals that her son now defends, as a soldier, not as a terrorist. He fights for his land and he shouldn’t be killed. Realizing the validity of her words and feeling for her pain, lieutenant Kidds gives her some water and proposes the mediation of John McLane in order to ask the British Governor for a favor. (THE BRITISH CAMP)
    12. THE RECEPTION OF LADY PATERSON A reception with many guests takes place at the residence of Lady Paterson. Her son David and his assistant work at an office. They have to turn in his study that relates to the fighting off of a deadly virus – a discovery that will save thousands of lives. His sister tries to bring him close to the guests, who admire the young scientist. The arrival of lieutenant Kidds adds liveliness to the event. He is popular and accepted by most guests. He dances with Kate, who seems to be still in love with him. After the mediation of McLane, in a remote room of the mansion the lieutenant meets Kyriakoulis’ mother, who came as a suppliant. The lady calls her arrogantly “mother of a criminal», without acknowledging Lamprini’s pride. She eaves expressing her scorn. Anyway, the decision of the court-martial is clear: «Execution». Lamprini looks harshly at David, who came to look for his mother. (LADY PATERSON'S MANSION – A ROOM - THE GARDEN)
    13. CYPRIOT PATRIOTS KIDNAP DAVID David, Kate and Ralph enjoy the sea and the sun at a deserted beach of the island, at the accompaniment of a British soldier. Some Cypriot patriots watch the scene. Wishing to be alone, Kate and Ralph take the jeep and take off. Pretending to be fishermen, the Cypriot patriots kill the British soldier and, using a boat, they kidnap David. (A REMOTE BEACH)
    14. THE INVESTIGATION OF THE BRITISH The British occupation army investigates. They search for evidence that will lead then to identify the kidnappers. Ralph Owens and the unhesitating lieutenant Nicks lead the team. Using more and more inhuman tactics against the Cypriots, they proceed to inquisitions and arrests of innocent. As he searches for the owner of the boat that was used for the kidnap, Nicks sadistically sets the boats of the poor fishermen on fire. (THE BEACH - CYPRIOT HOUSES - A SMALL HARBOR)
    15. LADY PATERSON’S UPSET Lady Paterson, who is at the mansion with her daughter and her son’s assistant, seems to be very upset. She cannot understand the reason for her son’s kidnapping by the “terrorists”. Kate is upset and starts to cry. The lady feels remorse for bringing her son to Cyprus. (THE MANSION)
    16. LAMPRINI ASKS TO MEET LADY PATERSON Lamprini calls McLane telling him that David is fine and that she has to meet with his mother, Lady Paterson, at the country church of Ai-Thanasis. When she hears the phone ring, the lady,believes that the army found her son. (THE MANSION - LAMPRINI'S HOUSE)
    17. THE CYPRIOT FIGHTERS HOLD DAVID HOSTAGE The Cypriot fighters hold David hostage at a deserted storeroom – barn. Lamprini states that she will meet with his mother despite the dangers. (A DESERTED ROOM - A BARN)
    18. THE SECRET MEETING OF THE TWO MOTHERS McLane secretly brings Lady Paterson to Agios Athanasios and the two mothers are to meet inside the church. The lady has lost her haughty and arrogant outlook. Now she is the one who acts as a suppliant who is forced to listen carefully at every word Lamprini is to say: «Our fate is common. You are in pain, just like myself. We both stand naked before God. We are to exchange one child with another. My demise is to be your demise». In the candlelight, the lady gives Lamprini a Bible for David and sends him the message that all will go well. She also promises that she will do her best in order for things to have a positive outcome. (THE COUNTY CHURCH OF AI THANASIS)
    19. THE EMPIRE DOES NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS At the British headquarters, the seemingly composed discussants try to hide their agitation. They talk about the blackmail against Paterson. The empire, however, is not to negotiate with terrorists. The lady announces that she has no problem sacrificing her son. The empire is beyond hislife. Anyway, Kyriakoulis is one of the most dangerous terrorists. The British promise to do their best to save David. (THE BRITISH HEADQUARTERS)
    2. A HANGED PATRIOT A hanged Cypriot patriot (A ROOM WITH A GIBBET)
    20. THE BRITISH LOOK FOR DAVID Partisans observe the attacks of English soldiers who investigate the island in order to identify the lady’s son. As they approach the barn, where he is held hostage, he tries to escape, as he hears voices and conversations in English. One of the partisans stops him, closing his mouth and threatening him with a knife. The English soldiers leave. (LANDSCAPES OF CYPRUS - THE BARN)
    21. THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT GRANT KYRIAKOULIS REPRIEVE At Paterson’s mansion they find out that the Governor refused to grant Kyriakoulis and, consequently, the lady, reprieve. This decision seems like a definitive condemnation for David. Upon hearing it, McLane is inconsolable. (THE MANSION)
    22. LAMPRINI GIVES DAVID THE BIBLE Lamprini arrives at the barn and gives David the Bible sent by his mother. Her conduct and the respect she inspires to everyone impresses him, as he discerns her pronounced matronly affection. (THE BARN)
    23. KIDDS DISAGREES WITH THE GOVERNOR’S DECISION Kidds arrives at the lady’s mansion on a jeep. He cannot believe that the Governor took such a narrow-minded and inhuman decision. None of them is as worthy as David. He curses British politicians and higher military officials. Ralph responds to him professionally that it is a matter of principle for the empire not to proceed to the exchange, but McLane calls Kidds a «drunkard» that does not respect anything. (THE MANSION)
    24. THE EXPLOSION OF A BOMB Kidds goes to the cabaret “Romeo and Juliet” full of sorrow and meets the Cypriot girl he had met during the roadblock. He gets into a sad conversation with her: death is after the pure and innocent, those who walk straight. They begin to flirt, but an explosion spreads fear. Kidds is injured. Covered with blood, he seems to be satisfied, as death began to aim at him. (ΤHE CABARET "ROMEO AND JULIET")
    25. KIDDS AND KYRIAKOULIS MEET AT THE HOSPITAL At the hospital, lieutenant Kidds meets Kyriakoulis. He gives him a cigarette and removes his handcuffs. After a brief conversation and thanks to the proud attitude of the Cypriot fighter, the British man calls him a “poet”. Then he attacks the unhesitating Nicks, whom he accuses as responsible for this «silly bestiality». (THE HOSPITAL)
    26. ΤHE LADY’S PLAN The lady initially asks Ralph to lead Kyriakoulis’ firing squad. Then she discloses her plan: she wants to free Kyriakoulis on his way to the firing squad. When Ralph is in two minds, the lady states that her son’s life is far more important than a mere extra star on his epaulets. Ralph faces the dilemma: laurels or career. Kate walks in the room. She embraces her future husband who is to save her brother. Ralph continues to talk about disgrace. The lady offers him her entire fortune in exchange. Ralph, confused before the dilemma, counterproposes lieutenant Kidds. Kate undertakes to talk to her former lover. (THE MANSION)
    27. KATE PROPOSES KIDDS TO FREE KYRIAKOULIS Kate goes to the camp and meets Kidds, her ex lover. She proposes to him to free Kyriakoulis and he accepts. Kidds looks tired of this military crap. It is not Kate who will lead him to this act – he is over her anyway. It is his inner need for a moral act that will elevate him in his own eyes. «Kyriakoulis knows what he is dying for, David doesn’t». (THE BRITISH CAMP)
    28. THE MEETING OF LAMPRINI AND MCLANE McLane goes to the country church as an envoy of the lady. There he meets Lamprini and explains to her the plan for her son’s escape: on the following day, at dawn, they are to wait at the 13rd kilometre, near the brook. Upon his return to his car, surprised he sees lieutenant Nicks waiting for him. The secret services do a good job. (THE COUNTY CHURCH OF AI THANASIS)
    29. THE EXECUTION IS ASSIGNED TO KIDDS Kate is swinging in the mansion’s garden. Ralph arrives and tells her that he took care of matters and that Kyriakoulis’ execution is assigned to lieutenant Kidds. At the same time, he expresses his jealousy. (THE MANSION)
    3. WOMEN CLAD IN BLACK AT THE CEMETERY We watch women clad in black in a provincial cemetery, while we hear the mournful sound of bells. (THE CEMETERY - LANDSCAPES)
    30. LAMPRINI COMES TO THE PARTISANS’ DEN David walks nervously in the courtyard of the partisans’ den. He talks to a wounded partisan who gives him his glasses and offers him a cigarette. Lamprini comes and talks to them about the plan of Kyriakoulis’ escape. As the woman washes their clothes in the marble trough, David approaches her and talks to her. They talk about Kyriakoulis. In Lamprini’s attitude, full of wisdom and courage, David sees what he hasn’t seen so far in his mother. One of the partisans begins to sing Kyriakoulis’ favorite song. (THE DEN OF CYPRIOT PARTISANS)
    31. KYRIAKOULIS’ S FAIRY TALE It is dawn at the camp of the British. Kidds meets Kyriakoulis and they talk about death. The Cypriot fighter narrates a fairytale referring to a fairy, a shepherd and a jug with immortal water. «That’s how life began again!» (THE BRITISH CAMP)
    32. ΤHE FIRING SQUAD TAKES OFF FOR THE EXECUTION SPOT The firing squad takes off for the execution spot. Kidds and Kyriakoulis, who wears handcuffs, sit behind the last car of the procession . (THE BRITISH CAMP )
    33. LAMPRINI AND THE PARTISANS WAIT IN AMBUSH It is almost noon. In the bright light, hidden in the woods, Lamprini and the partisans wait in ambush, upset for the inexplicable delay. The procession arrives and Kidds releases Kyriakoulis and asks him to get ready. (KYRIAKOULIS ESCAPE POINT - A ROAD)
    34. KIDDS FREES KYRIAKOULIS AND IS ARRESTED BY NICKS Although the procession hits upon a roadblock, Kidds unlocks the handcuffs and frees Kyriakoulis. The partisans watch the scene and Lamprini bursts. As the young man starts running, he is surrounded by British soldiers who were hidden in the area. Lieutenant Nicks waits in ambush, arrests lieutenant Kidds, whom he accuses as a traitor, and notifies the British governor by phone. (KYRIAKOULIS ESCAPE POINT - A ROAD)
    35. THE ENGLISH GOVERNOR IS AFRAID OF THE SCANDAL Following the last developments, the British governor is afraid of the scandal that will break out against the lady, as well as for the political repercussions. (THE BRITISH HEADQUARTERS)
    36. KATE PUTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT The Governor is uneasy and goes with Ralph to lady Paterson’s mansion. He explains to her what happened. Her name and honor have to be protected. The lady refuses any involvement in the affairs. Lieutenant Kidds acted independently. Kate Peterson reacts to this hypocritical connivance, speaks openly and wishes to find out about Kidds’s fate. She runs to find him. The lady collapses. (THE MANSION)
    37. KATE MEETS KIDDS Κate runs to meet Richard Kidds, who is under arrest, and confides in him her love and her deep gratitude. The parade of the British, with the captive lieutenant, draws away, and Kate stays alone on the street. (A COUNTY ROAD)
    38. KYRIAKOULIS IS LED TO THE GIBBET Kyriakoulis is led from the detention room to the gibbet (cf. scene 2). His favorite song is heard. He makes the sign of the cross and dies. (THE DETENTION ROOM - A ROOM WITH A GIBBET)
    39. LAMPRINI SAVES DAVID In the partisan’s den, the news of the young man’s death falls like thunder. David seems not to believe it. Lamprini curses. They set David violently against the wall and οπλίζουν the machine guns. With a single move, Lamprini calls off, at the last moment, the execution of the British scientist. She is aided by the intervention of another partisan, who states that «this man cannot be our enemy. As a conscientious doctor he tries to help mankind». Despite her pain, in yet another act of generosity, Lamprini frees David: «Go away! Go to your mother». The man seems not to believe his ears and starts to run. A partisan fires a gun, calling Kyriakoulis’ name. The shot ends with the tragic image of the mother who stands before the large wooden door of the courtyard. (THE PARTISAN - DAVID - LAMPRINI)
    4. PREPARING THE ATTACK A flashback. Kyriakoulis and four partisans at a distant farmhouse cut barbed wires with pruning scissors. They plan the next attack against the British, in order to take revenge for the death of their brave comrade Christakis. The appearance of the woman clad in black changes their plans. It is Lamprini, Kyriakoulis’ proud mother, who a little while ago was consoling Christakis’ mother at the cemetery and . She gives her ευχή της for the success of the attack they are planning. (A DISTANT FARMHOUSE)
    5. THE INVASION IN THE BRITISH CAMP The Cypriot partisans crawl, cut the barbed wire and enter the British camp. They disable the British guards at the outposts and set fire on the airplanes and on storerooms full of artillery and guns. Following the sound of the alarm, the chasing on jeeps begins. In an exchange of shootings, the fighter who drives the jeep is gone, while the British arrest Kyriakoulis. (THE BRITISH CAMP)
    6. KYRIAKOULIS’ MOTHER LEARNS ABOUT HER SON’S ARREST Kyriakoulis’ mother learns the bad news about her son’s arrest from a young man, as she knits and sings in her house’s yard. (LAMPRINI'S YARD)
    7. THE ARRIVAL OF HIGH OFFICIALS FROM ENGLAND Important personages arrive at the island’s airport: lady Gloria Paterson, her beautiful daughter Kate, her son David, a very promising doctor, and his assistant, Viki Rodgers. They are greeted by John McLane, a flatterer diplomat, while at the same time they are watched over by lieutenant Nicks, an agent of the secret services. (THE AIRPORT)
    8. KATE AND RALPH ENJOY THE ISLAND Kate and her fiancé, officer Ralph Owens, enjoy their swim at a quiet beach on the island. «This is the best beach on the island!» says Kate, and Ralph replies in a flirting manner: «This is where Aphrodite was born, my love”. The couple, very much in love, continues visiting tourist sights. (A SECLUDED BEACH - SEVERAL MONUMENTS)
    9. ΤHE AMBUSH OF THE BRITISH The couple’s carefree outlook is interrupted by an ambush of British soldiers. Richard Kidds, a former acquaintance of Kate, is in charge. A beautiful Cypriot girl protests to Kidds, who seems to flirt with her discreetly. The girl works at the cabaret “Romeo and Juliet” and Kidds tells her that he will interrogate her that night, in that place. ( A COUNTRY ROAD)
  • Schlüsselwörter: ΑΓΓΛΟΙ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΕΣ ΕΟΚΑ ΑΝΤΑΡΤΕΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΟΠΕΔΑ ΝΕΚΡΟΤΑΦΕΙΟ ΚΥΠΡΟΣ ΕΚΤΕΛΕΣΗ / BRITISH SOLDIERS PARTISANS CAMPS CEMETERY CYPRUS EXECUTION / ΑΓΓΛΟΙ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΕΣ ΕΟΚΑ ΑΝΤΑΡΤΕΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΟΠΕΔΑ ΝΕΚΡΟΤΑΦΕΙΟ ΚΥΠΡΟΣ ΕΚΤΕΛΕΣΗ / BRITISH SOLDIERS PARTISANS CAMPS CEMETERY CYPRUS EXECUTION
  • Anbieter: Tainiothiki tis Ellados
  • Produktionsfirma: CYPRUS FILM
  • Regie: SKALENAKIS GIORGOS
  • Sammlung: Ψηφιοποιημένες ελληνικές ταινίες μυθοπλασίας