Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

dbborroughs Gina Lollabrigida headlines as the sister of Napoleon in the huge spectacle of the life and loves of a footnote person in history. This is epic story telling on a grand scale. Unfortunately the story is incredibly dull and probably pointless. I saw this in a version that was shorn of twenty minutes and while it was choppy at times (I sensed something was missing) it was still a tough slog to get through. Sure it looks great as many of the huge color epics do but beyond the look there is nothing. Lollabrigida looks good but really can't act. I was never a fan of hers and knew her more because she was a "star" more than as someone who made films I wanted to see. She's paired with Stephen Boyd, a good but limited actor, who was probably better in his supporting roles. I really can't recommend this unless you're a fan of Gina, of spectacles (regardless of quality) or are in need of sleep.

MARIO GAUCI Turgid historical saga, a semi-biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte's courtesan sister(!); the overall effect is as improbable as the Hollywood version, DESIREE' (1954), which had focused on the life of the famed French leader's 'girlfriend'.Gina Lollobrigida is monotonous in the title role (not to mention unconvincing when it comes to the dramatic passages of the plot); incidentally, she had previously worked for the director on THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1957). In support of the star are the likes of Stephen Boyd (who would fare much better playing alongside the Italian sex symbol's rival, Sophia Loren, in THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE [1964]), Raymond Pellegrin (making for a pretty good Napoleon) and Massimo Girotti – while Micheline Presle (playing Josephine) and Gabriele Ferzetti put in 'guest appearances'.At an interminable length of almost 2½ hours, for what amounts to a largely unexciting narrative, the film – which, at least, has the virtue of expansive locations and attractive widescreen photography – understandably adopts an episodic structure throughout. In fact, the heroine is seen being involved with various lovers (including officer Ferzetti and roguish Hussar Boyd) and husbands (General-turned-Viceroy Girotti and a wimpish Italian Prince)…apart from facing such calamities as war, plague, deaths in the family and, finally, the humiliating abdication of Napoleon himself!

kosmasp I saw this movie in a German dubbed version, so I can't judge the "original" version (if there was an original soundtrack to the movie, it's more likely that this has been filmed, like the Leone Westerns, where every actor spoke in his native language)! But I did like the German version ...As is obvious from my rating against the "beating" it got before my rating. Now I think most of the reviewers can agree, that the actors did a good job. I also have to agree with the fact, that nothing explicit is shown here (neither sexual nor anything else), but is played with. But the sexual innuendos that are used here, are really great. At least I could enjoy them. Since back then, they couldn't be more free with "topics" like that, I'm even surprised they got away with some of the things in the script. Anyway, the movie has it's downfalls, but I rated the high points (jokes and actors against an incoherent story)!

drystyx The correlations between this movie and "Queen Margot" are unmistakable. Yet these are different historic episodes with related themes. The royal princess figure who makes sexual conquests and in the thick of it all, remains faithful to virtues outside the bedroom. This film skips over the exciting parts, focusing on bedroom scenes and non action sequences. The action sequences are merely explained, or brought into being without being shown. For instance, the battle scenes are never shown, but the death and destruction that follows is filmed. There are a few shots of carnage after the battle is over. This does make for some boring cinema, but directors want to keep under budget, and battle scenes are costly. However, the action could easily have been implied in a more passionate way, and more carnage scenes would have helped move the movie along. Napoleon's sister, who is the "Imperial Venus" here, is a reasonably likable character, and lets not forget how beautiful the legendary actress is, so she does bear watching. The affairs are usually with handsome men, which makes it hard to relate to with sexually active American women of today, who instead prefer homelier guys they think they can use and have power over. Still, it is amusing to see Stephen Boyd's smirkish face as he romps through this film. All the actors do a fine job, which is all that keeps this film from severe boredom. Not an exciting movie, but there are a variety of characters well portrayed. Could be a movie to watch with a romantic interest.