 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
Finding Abel Gance's works here is a chore. Surely most rental places will have his tremendous Napoleon, but anything else? Hardly.I was able to locate two: the 1935 Lucrezia Borgia and 1936 Beethoven.
Last night it was Lucrezia.
What can I say... not a major work by any stretch of imagination. A historic drama where too much was put in too little time to be of any real significance and depth.
The film has its strong point - the costumes, the interiors all seem to be well done and present beautiful imagery - joy too look at. I of course paid special attention to the arms used in the film - of course they were everywhere. That part was somewhat of a disappointment, with the later, 17th century pieces in sight here and there - surely there were no swept hilt rapiers in 1596.
The movie is cursory at best in its introduction to the history of the period, so unless you are reasonably familiar with it much will be lost on you. But apparently that was not Gance's intention - to give you a history lesson. Unlike his monumental Napoleon this work is much more chamber... and borders on tinsel.
One interesting note - the extend to which female nudity (including the near-full frontal) is used seems to be completely out of step with what we normally consider the 1935 standards - I don't recall another example of such early and extensive use. Perhaps someone could comment more on this element, that really stood out.
One can certainly feel and see the hand of a master in many spots... but the film simply doesn't have the power, the energy of the Napoleon - is this simply the reflection of the relative historical significance of the two personas? One could say this is an abbreviated chronicle of the Borgia house history... one would have some point here, but then perhaps more attention should have been given to period politics rather than Lucrezia's affairs... none of which BTW was presented with real insight or even zest - unlike the several orgy scenes, her affairs were shown with an almost extreme modesty.
Overall not an overwhelming experience - I caught myself glancing at the clock towards the end... but still an interesting milestone in the development of the director who gave us one of the most significant films in history.
features topless females celebrating the Roman naval victory over the pirates, this segment and others in primitive two strip Technicolor. I seem to recall some male nudity as well.
About the men...He could analyse you...
But since there are no more words on LOTR he seems to have vanished anyway...
... I'll gladly comply, mon ami. What's the matter Patrick, have you and Victor had an "amant" spat? Why take this out on me, rico or the innocent classic silent films of a bygone era?Please leave LoTR out of this discussion too; we know you have certain conflicted "feelings" about Golem. ;^)
Cheers,
AuPh
In the meantime you may have mature, I heard some do.
Yes this film should have its place in every cinema lover´s place.
What I did like too was the faces of the actors, I found them fascinating in their expression.
Well, this kind of films are the perfect vehicles for for unbashed nudity, Gance will put more of it in " La Tour de Nesle ".
Like the Africa films of the time you could show naked women without fears of censorship..All hade a good conscience and could rinse their eyes ( we say so in France ) without risk....
Beethoven has far more structure and depth. I consider it a masterpiece, even if the pacing is slow.
Of course " Napopleon " in his exacerbated romantism is unique!
***Well, this kind of films are the perfect vehicles for for unbashed nudity, Gance will put more of it in " La Tour de Nesle ".But that was also twenty years later! I looked for it - not available here.
Interesting thing that nudity... we are constantly bombarded with it, Internet is full of it, and yet when it is shown with style in a good film you get affected. When I flip channels I routinely stumble over it in trashy films, and usually just continue flipping.
It is not just the nudity itself, it is the presentation, of course.
Oh, lucky I ! This film is VERY bad ( beside the " goodies " in form of the ( then ) fresh flesh...Yes erotism is in the head, and depending of your intellectual needs, some need more than just a bare ass...A propos, do you remember of the " kiss " scene on Brideshead in the ship cabin? I found it to be one of the most sensual kiss ever, a one filled with tons of deep human feeling. Very rare.PS: Remember of one of the most erotic moment in the story of cinema? For me it was Heidi Lamarr...And can you remember " She dance only one summer long "...I do not know if it is the English film title, I just translated from the French....
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]