Rossano Brazzi Movies
Bologna-born Rosanno Brazzi abandoned his law studies at San Marco University when his parents were killed by fascists. Becoming an actor, Brazzi rapidly rose to matinee-idol status after his film debut in 1939; but while making faces before the Mussolini-controlled cameras by day, he was tirelessly active in the Resistance by night. He made his first Hollywood film, Little Women, in 1949, but it was his multi-hued portrayal of the impotent Count Vincenzo Toriato-Faurini in The Barefoot Contessa (1954) that won him international stardom. He went on to play such suave Europeans as Renato di Rossi in Summertime (1955) and Emile DeBecque in South Pacific (1958), after which his film roles tended to become routine and repetitive. An occasional visitor to television after his first small-screen appearance on a 1960 episode of The June Allyson Show, Brazzi was a regular on the Harold Robbins-created series The Survivors (1969), playing Onassis clone Antaeus Riakos. Turning to directing in the mid-1960s (sometimes under the nom de film of Edward Ross), Brazzi's best-known effort in this capacity was the modest family-oriented film The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (1966). From 1940 to 1981, Rosanno Brazzi was the husband of actress Lidia Bartalini; after her death, he married another actress, Ilse Fischer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1958
Based on a novel by Francoise Sagan, A Certain Smile was a vehicle for Darryl F. Zanuck's latest protegee, Christine Carere. Parisian student Carere spats with her boyfriend Bradford Dillman, then impulsively agrees to accompany Dillman's worldly uncle Rossano Brazzi to the Riviera. At first thrilled at the prospect of an affair with the dashing Brazzi, Carere is disillusioned to discover that she is the latest in a long line of "diversions" for the old charmer. After a heart-to-heart with Brazzi's patient wife (Joan Fontaine), Christine returns to her boyfriend. The title song for A Certain Smile became a hit for Johnny Mathis, who sings the tune over the film's opening credits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Joan Fontaine, (more)
- 1980
This drama chronicles the real-life story of Native America's first declared saint, Elizabeth Bayley Seton. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Star Dennis O'Keefe doubles as director in Angela. O'Keefe plays a GI who falls in love with Mara Lane in postwar Rome. Lane kills her boss, forcing her to flee the law. O'Keefe goes along for the ride so that he won't be knocked off by Lane's husband. Just when it looks as though O'Keefe is willing to go to any lengths to protect the woman he loves, he discovers that she frankly isn't worth it. Filmed on location, Angela lacks the pacing and punch necessary to sustain audience empathy with the two characters; still, O'Keefe knows how to frame a scene and get the most out of his largely unknown cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis O'Keefe, Mara Lane, (more)
- 1946
Before turning to horror pictures, Italian filmmaker Riccardo Freda directed some of the finest costume epics of the postwar era. Filmed in 1946 as Aquila Nera, Freda's Return of the Black Eagle made it to American screens in 1949. Based on a story by Alexander Pushkin, the film concerns the exploits of a Russian soldier who wreaks vengeance against an evil landowner by assuming the guise of a masked bandit. Rossano Brazzi stars as Vladimir Dubrowski, aka the Black Eagle, while Irasema Dilian is his beloved Masha, daughter of his bitter enemy Kirila (Gino Cervi, cast in an uncharacteristically unsympathetic role). The swashbuckling and derring-do is leavened by a few welcome moments of humor, especially when Brazzi disguises himself as a wimpy French tutor. Return of the Black Eagle could have benefited from Technicolor, though the black-and-white photography of Rodolfo Lombardi is fine in its own way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Irasema Dilian, (more)
- 1985
Leading man Gabriel Byrne adds a "Harlequin Romance" dash to the two-part, six-hour TV movie Christopher Columbus. Seeking out a swifter route to the lucrative Indies, Genoa-born Columbus begs King John of Portugal (Max Von Sydow) to finance a westbound expedition. Failing this, he turns to Spain's Queen Isabella (Faye Dunaway), who is entranced by Columbus' near-religious fervor. After the famous 1492 expedition, Columbus is bankrolled for future forays into the New World, which win him both adulation and vilification. Originally telecast May 19 and 20, 1985, Christopher Columbus was filmed on location in Spain, Malta and the Dominican Republic, making full use of a $15 million budget. It isn't an earth-shattering cinematic experience, but is lots more worthwhile (and less ponderous) than the brace of Columbus biopics inflicted upon movie audiences in 1992. Those concerned with political correctness should be satisfied with the film's second half, which explores the more sinister elements of chauvinistic colonization. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
This routine drama is helped by good acting and well-known stars like Rossano Brazzi as an unfaithful French husband, Deborah Kerr as his faithful English wife, and Maurice Chevalier as the uncle who goes to bat for his nephew's loosely held views of marriage. What does not help the story is the viewpoint that the husband is right and deserves to be forgiven. The setting starts out during World War II when Charles-Edouard (Brazzi), an air force pilot, falls in love with Grace (Kerr), the daughter of an English parliamentarian. The two marry and Grace gives birth to their son Sigi (Martin Stephens) nine months later. Nine years later, Grace discovers that her husband has cultivated a string of paramours when he was a war-zone pilot in Southeast Asia and North Africa. The two argue and split. And while Sigi at first appreciates the added attention he gets during the turmoil, he later has his doubts. Between his actions and Charles-Edouard's uncle, Grace does not stand a chance. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Deborah Kerr, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1964
An Italian count is willing to do almost anything to win the hand of a beautiful woman in this drama. The trouble begins after he invites the woman, an art appraiser, and her partner to his villa on the Italian Riviera to examine some art treasures. The count immediately tries to seduce the woman, but she is not interested in him. To convince her to marry her, he then tries to tell her that his crazy wife is really his daughter. A murder ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley Jones, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1962
Redhead, originally released in Germany as Die Rote, is adapted from a novel by Alfred Andersch. Ruth Leuwerik is the carrot-topped protagonist, at wit's end over her disappointing marriage and disillusioning secondary romance. She drops both husband and lover to head to Venice, hoping there to land a job and to enjoy a more fulfilling life. Each person with whom Leuwerik comes in contact is also running away from himself or herself; so much for Venice. After being victimized by deceivers and exploited by self-absorbed martyrs, Leuwerik wearily returns home. Rosanno Brazzi, Giorgio Albertazzi and Gert Froebe costar in Redhead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruth Leuwerik, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
To paraphrase 1930s wit Wilson Mizner, Fear City is like a trip through a sewer in a glass-bottom boat. In exploitation-flick fashion, the film exposes the seedy "nether world" of contemporary Manhattan. Unsavory Matt (Tom Berenger) and Nick (Jack Scalia) run a topless bar/booking agency, in direct competition with equally scuzzy Goldstein (Jan Murray). It's hard to imagine anyone lower than these low-lives until we're apprised of a serial killer who dutifully keeps a record of his murders in a diary. The killer's victims are all exotic dancers and hookers, prompting Matt to suspect that Goldstein is behind the crimes, and vice versa. Once they've decided that it's better to unite against a common enemy than to throw volleys at each other, Matt and Goldstein arrange between themselves to insure the safety of the women in their employ. Meanwhile, Matt's ex-girlfriend Loretta (Melanie Griffith), saddened by the murder of her lesbian lover Leila (Rae Dawn Chong), resumes her drug habit, while a dispirited Matt begins harking back to his own sordid past. The one redeeming aspect of Fear City is the ultimate triumph over the odds by Loretta, who by process of elimination emerges as the most likeable character in the bunch. For a film of this nature, Fear City boasts an unexpectedly strong cast, including the aforementioned actors and Billy Dee Williams, Rosanno Brazzi, Joe Santos and Michael V. Gazzo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Berenger, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
Cycle-flick habitue Greydon Clark warmed the director's chair for Final Justice. Joe Don Baker stars as a Texas sheriff attempting to stem corruption in his own community. Failing this, the sheriff (Baker) is compelled to follow the mob perpetrators all the way to Italy. It is hardly uplifting entertainment, but it certainly delivers the goods in terms of bloody action. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joe Don Baker, Venantino Venantini, (more)
- 1954
La Chair et le Diable (The Devil and the Pulpit) is a serviceable vehicle for the magnificent Vivienne Romance. The star plays the sensuous wife of farm-owner Peter Van Eyck, who has recently hired itinerant laborer Rossano Brazzi. Sure enough, Vivienne and Brazzi inaugurate a torrid affair, with Vivienne as the aggressor. Shortly afterward, Van Eyck disappears, and when a mangled body turns up, the illicit lovers are accused of the crime. When Van Eyck does show up, it is to late to prevent a tragedy of near-apocalyptic dimensions. Oddly enough, this "outdoors" melodrama is largely filmed within the walls of a studio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Viviane Romance, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1964
Four Fables of Love is better known by its original Italian title: Bambole! A quartet of skilled Italian directors offer four home-grown romantic playlets, based on Boccacio's Tales of the Decameron. Dino Risi's "The Telephone Call" is a showcase for Virna Lisi as an errant bride. Luigi Comenici's "Treatise on Eugenics," a satire on the philosophy of breeding geniuses, stars Elke Sommer. Franco Rosi's "The Soup" top-bills Monica Vitti in a tale of sex and gastronomics. And Mauro Bolognini's "Monsieur Cupid" finds Akim Tamiroff playing matchmaker for Gina Lollobrigida. The English translation of Bambole! is Dolls!, an apt description of the four lovely leading ladies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
- PG
- Add Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks to QueueAdd Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks to top of Queue
Another horrible horror from Italy, which undoubtedly marked the absolute nadir of Rossano Brazzi's career in the wake of South Pacific. Brazzi plays the deranged Dr. Frankenstein (the credits list him as a Count -- someone must have gotten their monsters mixed) who, like many Frankensteins of yore, endeavors to build an enormous humanoid monster; this one has been given the more biblical name "Goliath." Again, as is the case with so many of his mad-doc brethren, Frank has failed to plan ahead and secure a proper brain for the creature's empty cranium (finding one for the director might have been a better idea). He assigns this task to his somewhat less-than-competent servants, including a dwarf named Genz (Michael Dunn). Believe it or not, the operation does not come off as smoothly as planned, and Genz is exiled from the castle. Miffed, the disgruntled fellow plots revenge against his ex-boss, enlisting the aid of a Neanderthal man named "Ook" (credited under the quaint pseudonym "Boris Lugosi"), who likes to wear jogging shorts. None of this really makes any sense, as it serves only as a vehicle for abundant female nudity and plentiful gore. Also known as House of Freaks and released to video as Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1947
A lesser but fascinating example of earthy postwar neorealism, Furia stars Isa Pola as Clara, the randy wife of horse-breeder Oreste (Gino Cervi). Whenever the opportunity presents itself, Clara cheats on her husband in the arms of Oreste's stud-keeper Antonio (Rossano Brazzi). Meanwhile, moronic stablehand Rocco (Umberto Spadaro) lusts after both Clara and Oreste's daughter by a previous marriage, the virginal Marietta (Adriana Bennetti). And meanwhile, Clara and Marietta jealousy vie for the attentions of Oreste, who spends most of his time trying to prove that his wife is an adulterer. At this point, the viewer will prognosticate that one or more of the characters will meet a bad end-and the viewer will be right. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Isa Pola, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1955
Gli Ultimi Cinque Minuti (The Last Five Minutes) was adapted from the popular Italian stage play by Aldo De Benedetti. Hollywood's Linda Darnell heads the cast as Renata, who sublets an apartment in Rome. Unfortunately, Carlo Reani (Vittorio de Sica) also has a legal claim on the apartment. The two tenants solve the dilemma by getting married, with the understanding that Renata can continue pursuing any man she wants. For a while Renata dallies with Dino Moriani (Rosanno Brazzi), but her wifely insticts eventually get the better of her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Darnell, Vittorio De Sica, (more)
- 1969
Filmed in Spain, this TV movie stars Janet Leigh as an American woman honeymooning with her new husband. She awakens after the wedding night, only to be confronted with a stranger who insists that he's her husband. Leigh goes to the authorities, who unfortunately believe the ersatz husband's story. Or perhaps it's not as unfortunate as it seems...because Leigh herself is not all she seems. The central plot twist in Honeymoon With a Stranger was reworked into several subsequent TV-movies, until overuse robbed the twist of any surprise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Hardin is out for revenge after his wife and child are killed and he locates and eliminates the six man gang led by villain Brazzi. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1982
Mario (Enrico Montesano) works as a hospital orderly whose lucky win in a lottery for a new luxury car turns out to be his greatest misfortune. His first mistake was to hide the car from his wife (Edwige Fenech) in an effort to hang on to it, rather than sell it off for the money as she would want. His next mistake was to inadvertently pose as a doctor when seen with the car. And from that point onward, the mistakes multiply until he is even accused of terrorist activities and brought into the police station, where he is led in confusion through a bureaucratic labyrinth. By now, Mario's four-wheeled conveyance has lost a lot of its original sheen. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Enrico Montesano, Edwige Fenech, (more)
- 1950
Valentina Cortese's star continued to rise with the period melodrama Bullet for Stefano (Il Passatore). Cortese plays Barbara, whose wedding is interrupted when dashing brigand Stefano (Rossano Brazzi) kills the groom and abducts the bride. Eventually, Stefano tires of Barbara, and casts her aside. But she is not to be dispensed with so easily. Rallying the peasantry, Barbara sets the wheels in motion for Stefano's destruction. Curiously, despite his wretched behavior, there is a certain amount of sympathy for Stefano, who is a thief only because he wishes to help the poor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valentina Cortese, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1971
The lives of many are in the hands of Italian Police Commissioner Castroni, who is challenged by four young terrorists who are wreaking havoc upon the entire community. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1951
Incantesimo Tragico (Tragic Spell) is a sombre Italian vehicle for the magnificent Mexican film luminary Maria Felix. The story is motivated by an ancient curse, passed from generation to generation. The source of the hex is a fabulous treasure, which of course eventually falls into the hands of Felix. Will she be able to beat the curse, or has her fate already been hermetically sealed? When Incantesimo Tragico was released in the U.S., the advertising emphasized Maria Felix's popular co-star Rosanno Brazzi, who was then being give the Big Buildup in preparation for his sojourn in Hollywood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Felix, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
