Watch Eleni

Eleni is a heart-wrenching drama based on a true story that takes us deep into the heart of the Greek Civil War. The film is a depiction of a mother's unconditional love, survival, and her sacrifice for her children. The movie opens in the year 1948, a time when Greece was torn apart by civil war, and communist rebels had taken control of several regions in the country. Eleni Gatzoyiannis (Kate Nelligan) is a proud Greek single mother with three kids. She has made it her mission to protect her family and provide a bright future for her children by ensuring that they have a good education. Eleni is determined not to let the war and political unrest shatter her dreams for her family.

But the war eventually comes to her small village, and the Greek army quickly takes control of the town. The soldiers start to round up anyone they think is a communist or anyone who might have connections with them. Eleni’s brothers, who were part of the communist rebel group, are killed during the raid while her daughter is taken captive.

Eleni decides to take matters into her own hands and risks her everything to save her daughter. Knowing that the Greek force will come after her and her family, she decides to take her daughter to safety in Athens. With a heavy heart, she leaves her two sons behind under the protection of their grandmother, hoping that they will remain safe.

The rest of the movie follows Eleni as she tries to secure her daughter’s safety and eventually gets arrested and sent to a detention camp. From there, the movie shows the harrowing journey of Eleni as she is subjected to inhumane conditions, torture, and brutality as she fights to stay alive and escape to reunite with her sons.

Throughout the film, the theme of motherhood and a mother's love for her children remain the central focus. Eleni's deep love, sacrifice, and determination to protect her children drive the movie's emotional drama. The story is both powerful, tragic, and deeply moving.

Kate Nelligan delivers an outstanding performance as Eleni, portraying the character’s strength, resilience, and love for her children with ease. John Malkovich plays the role of Eleni's journalist son, Nicholas, with his usual finesse and brings to the screen the real-life objective and factual account of the story’s development. Linda Hunt's portrayal of the stern headmistress at the detention camp adds another layer of gravity and fear to the film.

The film's visual effects and cinematography are stunning, capturing the beauty of the Greek landscape and the terror of the warzone with equal intensity. The tension is palpable in almost every frame, and the movie keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats till the very end.

Overall, Eleni is a powerful and moving drama that deals with conflict, survival, and motherhood. The story of Eleni’s bravery, perseverance, and love for her children is one that touches the hearts of viewers. The movie is a heart-warming tribute to the strength of a mother's love and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children.

Eleni is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.