Gabriele d’Annunzio’s passionate novel is brought to life in the final masterpiece from acclaimed director Luchino Visconti. In late-nineteenth-century Italy, Tullio (Giancarlo Giannini), an insatiable aristocrat, grows bored with his timid wife Giuliana (Laura Antonelli) and neglects her for his mistress, the wealthy widow Countess Teresa Raffo (Jennifer O’Neill). After learning that Giuliana is having a torrid affair of her own, he becomes tormented by her infidelity and descends into madness.
Visconti directed “L’innocente” from a wheelchair, following two strokes and a broken leg. He remained as painstaking as ever, spending hours getting Antonelli’s veil just so, and getting a bitingly effective performance from Jennifer O’Neill (“Summer of ’42”) as the cast-off mistress. The screenplay was written by Visconti, Enrico Medioli and the legendary Suso Cecchi d’Amico, and masterfully edited by Ruggero Mastroianni, brother of Marcello, longtime Visconti collaborator (including “Le Notti Bianche,” “Death in Venice,” “Ludwig,” “Conversation Piece”), and Fellini’s editor of over twenty years.
Film Movement Classics delivers Visconti’s final acclaimed drama to cinema aficionados with a digitally restored version, available on Blu-ray for the very first time in North America. Bonus programming includes a video essay and a 16-page collectible booklet.
Starring Giancarlo Giannini (“Love & Anarchy,” “Catch-22,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Hannibal”), Laura Antonelli (“Passion of Love,” “Malizia”), and Jennifer O’Neill (“Summer of ’42,” “Rio Lobo”).
Bonus Features:
• Reframing “L’innocente” video essay by author Ivo Blom
• 16-page booklet with a new essay by author Dan Callahan
Available on Blu-ray for the first time in North America July 14th from Film Movement
