Phaedra

In this updated Greek tragedy, Phaedra (Melina Mercouri) has married a Greek shipping-tycoon. Her husband wishes for his son to come from London to learn about the family business. Alexis (Anthony Perkins) is the son who Phaedra visits in England to persuade him to comply to his father's wishes. Alexis and Phaedra have never seen each other before and fall madly in love at first sight. They try to fight the attraction, but desire gets the best of them as they fly off to Paris and carry out the illicit affair. Alexis is talked into coming back to Greece, but his father has arranged his marriage to the daughter of a rival shipping-magnate. Phaedra's passion for the boy cannot be hidden. She is violently opposed to the impending marriage and finally confesses her love for her stepson to her husband. The father proceeds to beat his son to a pulp, which is the beginning of the end for Alexis and Phaedra.