Conversation Piece
- Director: Luchino Visconti
- Writer: Enrico Medioli; Suso Cecchi d'Amico
- Producer: Giovanni Bertolucci
CGiii Comment
Visconti's penultimate film and a masterclass in annoyance.
Helmut Berger (Visconti's longterm lover) is ever-present and as ever-annoying.
Those constant smoldering pouts...they really do get on your tits after a while.
Apart from Lancaster, the acting is amateur and overblown - reminiscent of an am-dram village performance.
Apologies to Visconti fans...but, this is, without a doubt, the pinnacle of pompous hogwash.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Retired professor of American origin lives solitary life in luxurious palazzo in Rome He is confronted by vulgar Italian marchesa and her companions: her lover, her daughter and daughter's boyfriend and forced to rent to them an apartment on upper floor of his palazzo. From this point his quiet routine is turned into chaos by his tenants' machinations, and everybody's life is taking unexpected but inevitable turn.
Cast & Characters
Burt Lancaster as The Professor;
Helmut Berger as Konrad Huebel;
Silvana Mangano as Marchesa Bianca Brumonti;
Claudia Marsani as Lietta Brumonti;
Stefano Patrizi as Stefano;
Elvira Cortese as Erminia, professor's housekeeper;
Philippe Hersent as Porter;
Guy Trejan as Art dealer;
Jean-Pierre Zola as Blanchard, art dealer;
Umberto Raho;
Enzo Fiermonte as Police Commissionaire;
Romolo Valli as Michelli, professor's attorney;
George Clatot;
Valentino Macchi;
Vittorio Fanfoni