Valentino
- Director: Ken Russell
- Writer: Ken Russell; Mardik Martin
- Producer: Harry Benn; Robert Chartoff
CGiii Comment
It's all about imagery and charisma rather than accuracy and fact.
There is not a sliver of writing credibility - not surprising from Russell...but, for Mardik Martin (he of Mean Streets, Raging Bull & New York, New York) - it is like a bullet through the head - there is absolutely no logic as to why a writer can get it so wrong...or, perhaps, he was playing with the words as Russell played with the pictures.
Nureyev cannot act - but, there are so many bad performances that he fits in without a fuss.
The Fatty Arbuckle scene is repellent...the film really is an atrocity.
No more needs be said.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
In 1926 the tragic and untimely death of a silent screen actor caused female moviegoers to riot in the streets and in some cases to commit suicide - that actor was Rudolph Valentino. Ballroom dancer Valentino manipulated his good looks and animal-like grace into a Hollywood career. His smouldering love making, tinged with a touch of masterful cruelty, expressed a sexuality which was at once both shocking and sensual.
Cast & Characters
Rudolf Nureyev as Rudolph Valentino;
Leslie Caron as Alla Nazimova;
Michelle Phillips as Natasha Rambova;
Carol Kane as Starlet;
Felicity Kendal as June Mathis;
Seymour Cassel as George Ullman;
Huntz Hall as Jesse Lasky;
Alfred Marks as Richard Rowland;
David de Keyser as Joseph Schenck;
Linda Thorson as Billie Streeter;
Leland Palmer as Marjorie Tain;
Lindsay Kemp as Angus McBride;
Peter Vaughan as Rory O'Neil;
Anthony Dowell as Vaslav Nijinsky;
Penelope Milford as Lorna Sinclair