The Affairs of Messalina (1951)
"Messalina" (original title)

Director:

Carmine Gallone

Writers:

Carmine Gallone (story), Vittorio Nino Novarese (screenplay),

Stars:

María Félix, Georges Marchal, Memo Benassi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
María Félix	...	Messalina / Messaline (as Maria Felix)
Georges Marchal	...	Caio Silvio / Caius Silvius
Memo Benassi	...	Claudio / Claude
Delia Scala	...	Cinzia
Erno Crisa	...	Timo / Timus
Carlo Ninchi	...	Tauro / Taurus
Camillo Pilotto	...	Ottavio / Octave
Jean Tissier	...	Mnester
Jean Chevrier	...	Valerio / Valerius Asiaticus
Germaine Kerjean	...	Ismene
Ave Ninchi	...	Locusta / Locuste
Michel Vitold	...	Narciso / Narcissus
Giuseppe Varni	...	Pallante
Luigi Almirante	...	Il gioielliere / Le joallier
Lamberto Picasso	...	L'astrologo / L'astrologue

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

infidelity | one word title | prostitution | roman | ancient rome | 

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Taglines:

History's most wicked woman!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France Spain

Language:

Italian French

Release Date:

1 November 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Affairs of Messalina

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Produzione Gallone, Filmsonor, Suevia Films - Cesáreo González

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

A captivating Messalina...

Maria Felix in the title role is a captivating Messalina because she portrays this unlovely character with a full range of emotions...imperious and haughty, winsome and cajoling while cozening her dotard husband, needy and pleading with her main lover Caius Cilius (Georges Marchal), cold and calculating as she casually murders a young smitten boy, and ultimately terrified when her crafty machinations go awry and she is bereft of any friends or allies. Though taking great liberty with actual historical events, the film presents the most notorious woman in Roman history as a many-faceted complex person of deep and dark passions who comes to an ignominious end through her excesses and folly. And the magnificent Maria is up to the challenge, giving the best portrait of Messalina on screen to date. She ruthlessly pursues her treasonous agenda while "foolish" Emperor Claudius devotes his attention to one of his pet projects, dredging the silted-up port of Brindisi to free it for shipping.