Mariella Lotti Movies
- 1952
Nez de Cuir is a lesser but still fascinating exercise from French director Yves Allegret. The title translates to Leathernose, a reference to the protagonist, a Napoleonic-era soldier nobleman named Roger (Jean Marais). After losing his nose in battle, Roger is fitted with a leather prosthesis, which creates an aura of exotic romanticism and enables the lad to enjoy the favors of dozens of eligible young ladies. Alas, Roger cannot come to grips emotionally with his disfigurement, and it is his inner struggles which form the dramatic nucleus of the story. Allegret co-adapted the screenplay of Nez de Cuir from a novel by La Verende. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Marais, Françoise Christophe, (more)
- 1948
This Italian version of Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamazov understandably suffers in comparison with the lavish internationally produced 1958 remake. Still, the earlier film has much to offer, especially in terms of acting and directing. Reasonably faithful to the original, the film recounts the doleful story of a domineering Russian landowner and the effect his death has on his four sons. Singled out for critical praise was Giulio Donnini as the epileptic Smerdiakov. I Fratelli Karamazov successfully manages to pack most of the novel into 116 minutes, while the more celebrated remake was half an hour longer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fosco Giachetti, Elli Parvo, (more)
- 1948
The Italian Malacarne was released in English-speaking countries as For the Love of Mariastella. Filmed in Sicily, the story takes place in a tiny fishing village that has suffered a four-year dry spell. No tuna will dare swim into the local waters because of the presence of a so-called sea monster. Native fisherman Turi (Otello Tosi) takes it upon himself to strike out in his flimsy vessel, hoping to capture and kill the unknown beast. A secondary plotline concerns the romance between Turi and the toothsome Mariastella (Mariella Lotti). Malacarne originally ran 130 minutes, prompting one critic to suggest that the film be re-edited into two separate movies, then re-issued as a double feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mariella Lotti, Amedeo Nazzari, (more)
- 1947
Filmed in 1940, This elaborate costume drama is based on a historical novel by Thomas Grossi. Carlo Ninchi stars as Marco Visconti, head of the Milanese militia during the Middle Ages. When not fighting for the liberty of his countrymen, Visconti is engaged in a rivalry over the love of beautiful aristocrat Rice del Balzo (Mariella Lotti). Since he'd once been in love with the girl's mother, Visconti feels that he has a proprietary right to the heroine, but his younger, handsomer cousin Ottorino (Roberto Villa) has other ideas. Surprisingly laid back for a historical epic, the film bursts into life during the action sequences, which include a lively jousting tournament. As he did for many foreign films in the late 1940s, film critic Herman G. Weinberg provided the English-language subtitles for Marco Visconti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carlo Ninchi, Mariella Lotti, (more)
