Spotting a poll coming up on IMDbs Classic Film board for the best movies of 1965,I started to look around for overlooked titles from that year.With having known Niccolò Machiavelli's name for his novel The Prince,I was happy to stumble upon an adaptation of a non-Prince Machiavelli work,which led to me getting ready to uncover the mandrake root.
The plot-
Florence 1500:
Returning from studying in Paris, Callimaco tries to spread everything he learnt in France onto the streets of Florence.As he rubs shoulders with the locals, Callimaco gets a tantalising glimpse of royal Lucrezia.Desperate to get her in his arms, Callimaco is horrified to find out that Lucrezia is actually married.
Catching Callimaco looking downcast,a wheeler dealer called Ligurio decides to offer Callimaco his local knowledge in order for Callimaco to get his hands on Lucrezia,in exchange for paying Ligurio a good fee. Arranging a deal with Ligurio where will get paid once he has gotten Lucrezia to go with him.Trusting Callimaco,Ligurio reveals that Lucrezia and her husband have been having trouble conceiving a child.Choosing Lucrezia's husband as a weak target,Callimaco and Ligurio begin making plans in gaining his trust,and finally getting Callimaco into bed with Lucrezia.
View on the film:
Keeping the title away from being a skin show,co-writer/(along with Luigi Magni and Stefano Strucchi)director Alberto Lattuada & cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli (who also worked with Sergio Leone) wrap the title in a sensual,erotic atmosphere by limiting the viewer to brief,suggestive shots of Lucrezia,which allows the audience to make an image of Lucrezia's full beauty in their own mind.Taking place in the 1500's, Lattuada creates two contrasting versions of Florence which gradually cross over,as Lucrezia has to leave the dazzling wealth behind and experiment with the myths and old wives tales that are whispered round the poor outskirts of Florence.
For an adaptation of a play by one of the most famous masters of realpolitik,the writers give the movie a surprisingly sweet,sexy comedic focus,with Callimaco & Ligurio's attempts to get into Lucrezia's bedroom leading to very funny set pieces which go from the duo coming up with fake medicines,to Callimaco making himself look like a crazed monster.Whilst the satirical element is not placed at the main centre of the title,the writers do playfully unveil how gullible and back handers happy those in power and in the church can be.Joined by a wonderfully devious Philippe Leroy as Callimaco,the stunning Rosanna Schiaffino gives a great performance as Lucrezia,thanks to Schiaffino keeping Lucrezia's stiff upper lips regal whilst being engaged in slippery slap-stick,as Callimaco reveals his mandrake root.
The plot-
Florence 1500:
Returning from studying in Paris, Callimaco tries to spread everything he learnt in France onto the streets of Florence.As he rubs shoulders with the locals, Callimaco gets a tantalising glimpse of royal Lucrezia.Desperate to get her in his arms, Callimaco is horrified to find out that Lucrezia is actually married.
Catching Callimaco looking downcast,a wheeler dealer called Ligurio decides to offer Callimaco his local knowledge in order for Callimaco to get his hands on Lucrezia,in exchange for paying Ligurio a good fee. Arranging a deal with Ligurio where will get paid once he has gotten Lucrezia to go with him.Trusting Callimaco,Ligurio reveals that Lucrezia and her husband have been having trouble conceiving a child.Choosing Lucrezia's husband as a weak target,Callimaco and Ligurio begin making plans in gaining his trust,and finally getting Callimaco into bed with Lucrezia.
View on the film:
Keeping the title away from being a skin show,co-writer/(along with Luigi Magni and Stefano Strucchi)director Alberto Lattuada & cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli (who also worked with Sergio Leone) wrap the title in a sensual,erotic atmosphere by limiting the viewer to brief,suggestive shots of Lucrezia,which allows the audience to make an image of Lucrezia's full beauty in their own mind.Taking place in the 1500's, Lattuada creates two contrasting versions of Florence which gradually cross over,as Lucrezia has to leave the dazzling wealth behind and experiment with the myths and old wives tales that are whispered round the poor outskirts of Florence.
For an adaptation of a play by one of the most famous masters of realpolitik,the writers give the movie a surprisingly sweet,sexy comedic focus,with Callimaco & Ligurio's attempts to get into Lucrezia's bedroom leading to very funny set pieces which go from the duo coming up with fake medicines,to Callimaco making himself look like a crazed monster.Whilst the satirical element is not placed at the main centre of the title,the writers do playfully unveil how gullible and back handers happy those in power and in the church can be.Joined by a wonderfully devious Philippe Leroy as Callimaco,the stunning Rosanna Schiaffino gives a great performance as Lucrezia,thanks to Schiaffino keeping Lucrezia's stiff upper lips regal whilst being engaged in slippery slap-stick,as Callimaco reveals his mandrake root.