A Dream of Passion

A Dream of Passion

Year: 1978

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: Greek

Director: Jules Dassin

Drama

Melina Mercouri plays Maya, a jet‑setting Greek actress who returns home to prepare for the role of Medea. Seeking the basis of a mother who would kill her children, she meets Brenda (Ellen Burstyn), a Bible‑quoting American inmate serving a prison term in Athens for that crime. The encounter forces Maya to confront the grim reality behind the myth.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen A Dream of Passion yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – A Dream of Passion (1978)

Trace every key event in A Dream of Passion (1978) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Rehearsals begin for Medea in Athens

Maya returns to Athens and steps into the stage production of Euripides' Medea. Early rehearsals establish the emotional stakes and the demands of the title role. The cast and crew begin probing the character, while Maya and the director start to test different readings.

early Athens, rehearsal studio
2

Initial clash over Medea interpretation

The production director and Maya argue over how Medea should be portrayed, setting up a philosophical rift about motive and agency. The disagreement hints at Maya's willingness to challenge convention, foreshadowing her evolving performance. The rest of the crew watches as tensions rise.

early Athens, rehearsal studio
3

BBC publicity stunt planned

A BBC contact arranges a publicity stunt pairing Maya with Brenda Collins, the imprisoned mother once dubbed 'the Medea of Glyfada.' The plan is to generate dramatic headlines, and Maya imagines the potential media reaction with mounting anticipation. The stunt becomes a spark that will push the story into unpredictable territory.

early BBC offices / publicity set
4

Public interview spirals out of control

During the public interview, Brenda is initially happy but becomes frightened and enraged as photographers flood the room. The chaos triggers curses, and a nun pulls Brenda away, leaving Maya stunned and horrified by the stunt's outcome. Maya immediately sends flowers and a note of apology.

early Interview room, publicity event
5

Brenda and Maya begin a fragile connection

Brenda agrees to meet Maya again, and a tentative friendship starts to form beneath the surface of their very different lives. Maya's empathy grows as she witnesses Brenda's vulnerability and bitterness. The two women increasingly influence one another's understanding of Medea.

early-mid Prison visitation room / meetings
6

Maya investigates Brenda's case with Kathimerini

Maya consults the Kathimerini publisher and uncovers archival material: crime-scene photos, the note Brenda left for Roy, and psychologist notes. The records offer Brenda's perspective and the public's memory of the case, shaping Maya's understanding of truth and interpretation. Maya begins to see how media narratives shaped the 'Medea' label.

middle Athens, publisher's office (Kathimerini)
7

Visit to the Collins' former house

Maya visits the Collins' unoccupied Glyfada house, where chalk outlines still mark the floors, a haunting reminder of the murders. The visit intensifies Maya's psychological engagement with Brenda's past and its echoes in her Medea study. The house becomes a physical symbol of memory and guilt.

middle Glyfada, Collins house
8

Brenda's prison conversations deepen

Maya meets Brenda several more times at the prison, where Brenda speaks with a mix of anguish, fury, and biblical quotes. She describes the events leading to the murders and her broken marriage, and insists she did not kill with Medea in mind. These talks challenge Maya's earlier picture of Brenda and Medea.

middle Prison
9

Brenda reframes her religion and motive

Brenda emphasizes her deep religious faith, begging her husband to stop his affair, and paints a portrait of marriage under strain. She explains that the 'Medea' label came from press headlines, not from her intent. Her testimony complicates Maya's assumption about the link between myth and motive.

middle Prison
10

Maya's reinterpretation of Medea intensifies

As Maya researches Brenda's life and revisits her own, she questions her earlier approach to Medea and considers new dimensions of power, vulnerability, and self-ownership. She confronts issues with her own husband and her friendship with Maria, the prompter, reshaping how she will perform the role. The exploration blurs lines between art and life.

middle Athens, various (studio, home, etc.)
11

Rehearsal scenes reflect the shift

Scenes from the middle of the play are rehearsed, mirroring Maya's transformation as she diverges from her initial interpretation. The crew notices her growing intimacy with Brenda's perspective, and the audience senses a new ethical complexity in Medea's portrayal. The narrative threads of Brenda's case and Maya's life intersect more overtly.

middle Athens, rehearsal studio
12

Delphi finale: Medea takes the stage

The film culminates with the play's final scenes staged at the ancient theater near the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. Maya delivers a final interpretation of Medea shaped by Brenda's story and her own life experiences. The audience witnesses a reconciliation of art and moral ambiguity as the curtain falls.

late Delphi, ancient theater

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:12

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of A Dream of Passion

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Dream of Passion in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Dream of Passion is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Dream of Passion Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Dream of Passion, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Dream of Passion Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Dream of Passion

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Dream of Passion. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Dream of Passion

More About A Dream of Passion

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Dream of Passion: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Dream of Passion

Similar Movies to A Dream of Passion

Discover movies like A Dream of Passion that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.