I was thinking and I started to wonder, which actresses so far do you think portrayed Penelope the best?

In order of my favorites:

Silvana Mangano in the 1954 film Ulysses: I've talked about her before, but again, her almost aristocratic, delicate beauty, expressive eyes, and excellent portrayal of cautiously walking on eggshells in her own house and subtle defiance and sorrow was masterful. Her best scene was when she was talking to Odysseus when he was disguised as a beggar - at first she is cautious, almost scornful/angry at another person coming in, claiming to know her husband. But the more they talk, the more she opens up, suspects the truth but can't say, and subtly challenges him by declaring her faithfulness "But Penelope is faithful. It's SO easy for Penelope to be faithful". And together they come up with the challenge of the bow. There is so much the script said without saying in that scene.

Pros: Has close to the level of beauty described in the Odyssey. "Looking like Artemis or Golden Aphrodite", "White as sawed Ivory", Something in her beauty reminds me of a Mermaid, which fits as the daughter of a Naiad.

Great at displaying both Penelope's stonewall front to the suitors and her unraveling/longing in private.

Is shown occasional sweet-talking some suitors to keep the balance of the house/buy time.

Has great chemistry with her Odysseus, played by Douglass Kirk.

Irene Papas,The Odyssey (1968): what can I say about her that hasn't already? Fantastic, legendary actress. Not my number one spot, as I think her face has a slightly fiercer beauty than I picture Penelope to have, better suite to play Clytemnestra, which she also so well. She is the most Greek of the famous actresses to play Penelope, bringing little details to the role others couldn't. Her regal face when facing the suitors and her doting face with Telemachus are so, so good. Her best scene is when she demands Odysseus let HER test HIM now, after all is said and done, and melts when he passes the bed test.

Pros: Greek actress in a Greek role.

Is always secretly watching what is around her, taking it all in, observing to stay afloat.

Her soft face in private for her son and memories is wonderful acting.

During the slaughter of the suitors, she is show trying not to panic, to keep it together. But she's scared and vulnerable.

Greta Scacchi The Odyssey (1997): Good actress but not my favorite. While it shows the dignified wife well, she just doesn't carry the same charm that Mangano and Papas bring - the sort of spark that gives their Penelopes uniqueness. But Scacchi still has great moments - her subtle "oh crap" look when she realizes the suitors will not be leaving and then her best scene is the zinger at the challenge of the bow - when she leaves the suitors asks should she stay to see the winner, she answers "You're all the same to me." And of course she is lovely - Golden Aphrodite indeed.

Pros: Her human side is shown more easily.

She feels like such a mom to everyone around her. She gives a great "I'm disappointed" look to Menetho when she betrays her.

Is shown to be considering what her defiance is costing her household, kingdom.

What do you think? which of the three are your favorite?

Me: