Casanova '70 (1965)

Lorber has added 1965's "Casanova '70," directed by Mario Monicelli, in the great, handsome Blu-rays and DVDS that they did to the Vittorio de Sica and Sophia Loren Collection they have out. It, too, stars Marcello Mastroianni, but the co-stars are a bevy of beauties including Virna Lisi, who crossed over to American films probably more than any other Italian actress other than Loren, and also features Marisa Mell (looking never better), Margaret Lee, Michele Mercier and many others. The screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award. It concerns a man who comes to believe he may be impotent, but only becomes aroused when the situation takes a dangerous turn leading to a lot of rather hilarious exploits. The transfer is quite good and the packaging by Lorber is very handsome and viable enough to be also a collector's jewel. I understand there were problems with poor transfers in other editions of "Casanova '70." With the state of the Italian cinema being sold to low-esteemed companies, this is probably as good as it will get. In Italian with subtitles and trailers. Well-directed.

Mario Monicelli's Casanova `70 was the kind of risqué globe-trotting Italian sex comedy that found favour in the US at a time when the local censors seemed to allow foreign films more leeway than American ones but which now, despite its unapologetically smutty premise and some brief nudity, seems much more innocent and charming. Marcello Mastroianni is a NATO officer who finds that the sexual liberation of the 60s is sapping his libido to the point of impotence: with women not just easy prey but practically throwing themselves at men (provided you meet the minimum requirements, of course), the thrill of conquest leaves him unable to make love unless there's an element of danger to spice things up. His efforts to control his sexual demons are constantly doomed to failure, thanks to a succession of female lion tamers, jinxed prostitutes with a reputation for killing their clients and rich wives with homicidally jealous husbands until he finds himself in the dock with his various conquests (Virna Lisi, Michele Mercier and Marissa Mell among them) called as character witnesses...

It's very much of its time despite the title, it was made in 1965 and it's hard to understand quite how it got a Best Screenplay Oscar nomination that year, but after a rather sluggish opening that's short of real laughs it does develop into something much funnier, and not just in the scenes with his female co-stars: two of the funniest scenes involve a cottage industry faking antiques and selling them by the pound like steak and cuckolded husband Marco Ferreri's attempt to get rid of his new rival. It's the kind of glamorous fluff that's increasingly enjoyable if you're in the right mood, with Mastroianni on particularly good form, and Kino's Region-free US Blu-ray offers a decent but not outstanding widescreen transfer (there's some slight digital noise in places, but nothing too distracting) in the original Italian with English subtitles. Extras are limited to the original Italian trailer, stills gallery and trailer for Kino's other Mastroianni and Sophia Loren titles.

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Not even Marcello, not even Virna, could keep this abortive attempt afloat. That says plenty about what happens when cheap foreign tastes and formulae are imported into Italy.

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[Casanova '70 1965 Directed by Mario Monicelli Widescreen Italian with English subtitles] The always charismatic Marcello Mastroianni shines in this light-hearted sex romp from director Mario Monicelli ('Big Deal on Madonna Street', also starring Mastroianni) as an army officer who only gets amorously aroused when there's an air of danger about; otherwise he's uninterested and blasé, something no one does better than Mario.

The luscious leading ladies are comprised of Marisa Mell, Virna Lisi, Michele Mercier and Liana Orefi, and trust me, if these Eurobabes can't get you interested in boudoir bagatelle, your heart has already ceased to beat. Thankfully, risk rears its head from time to time, so our hero does get his share of bed-hopping hysterical hijinks. His shrink warns him he's on a path to a premature demise, so he tries to become celibate and wed the virtuous Virna Lisi, but his inevitable descent into decadent sin is far more to his liking (and ours as well).

Mastroianni's legendary dry wit and world-weary facial expressions tell more than the ribald script does, and once again he's a marvel to revel in. What the film may lack in cinematic superlatives is of no matter to those who appreciate his warmth and depth as an actor, the gorgeous ladies he's surrounded with, and Monicelli's directorial skills from the golden age of Italian comedy.

Considering that this is the only review of the actual release pictured and detailed here, it should be noted that the audio and video on this Koch-Lorber blu-ray edition are certainly impressive to those of us who have waited decades for a legitimate NTSC release of this minor but must-see gem. No bonus features except a stills gallery, but still an easy 4 stars all around.

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I really like this Movie and Mr.Mastroianni's character is hilarious,his Shrink even more so.The Women Are lovely Italians and strong(of course Strong have led us to many problems down the road,the so-called Revolution as produced many outcomes and problems such as new diseases/std's, and Men no longer being men but just scared and afraid of political incorrectness.)Marcello as a Person and his Politics I do not care for(his openly so-called unactivesocialist/but voted for them nonetheless,his movie the Organizer and so fourth.Which is a shame,of course his voting and others like him along with unions is what led Italy and Europe overall to it's many Economic perils which continue.His AntiChurch Stance again another problem and flaw in his real life character.(see Playboy 1965 Interview.)The movie itself is a novel approach,the Man cannot be aroused unless he is in a dangerous situation,I had the luck of seeing this instantly on Netflix,and Quite enjoyed it for the story and plot and of course it's ending.It is funny and not so dark as one would be lead to believe,the Jealous Husband and finally An Happy Ending all make the movie a nice one to watch.Would I watch it again or Purchase it considering what I now Know?Sadly No.But it is me,This movie came out at the height of so-called "revolution" and all the hype thereafter of Feminist Movements which again have only come to worsen Society and has led not just to Secularism but Intense Secularism and Outright hostility to any who disapproves of said lifestyles,the movie in itself is politically incorrect and perhaps not to be taken serious,but Real Life consequences are.I would recommend watching it.

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