Scent of a Woman (1974)
"Profumo di donna" (original title)

An army cadet accompanies an irascible, blind captain on a week-long trip from Turin to Naples. The captain, Fausto, who wants no pity, brooks no disagreement, and charges into every ... See full summary »

Director:

Dino Risi

Writers:

Giovanni Arpino (novel), Ruggero Maccari,

Stars:

Vittorio Gassman, Alessandro Momo, Agostina Belli

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Vittorio Gassman	...	Il capitano Fausto Consolo
Alessandro Momo	...	Giovanni Bertazzi, aka Ciccio
Agostina Belli	...	Sara
Moira Orfei	...	Mirka
Franco Ricci	...	Tenente Giacomino
Elena Veronese	...	Michelina
Lorenzo Piani
Stefania Spugnini	...	Candida
Torindo Bernardi	...	Vincenzo
Marisa Volonnino	...	Ines
Carla Mancini	...	Nun
Alvaro Vitali	...	Vittorio
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sergio Di Pinto	...	Raffaele

Storyline

An army cadet accompanies an irascible, blind captain on a week-long trip from Turin to Naples. The captain, Fausto, who wants no pity, brooks no disagreement, and charges into every situation, nicknames the youth Ciccio ("Babyfat"), and spends the next few days ordering him about and generally behaving badly in public. In Rome, Fausto summons a priest to ask for his blessing; in Naples, where Fausto joins a blind lieutenant for drinking and revelry, the two soldiers talk quietly and seriously about "going through with it." Also in Naples is Sara, in love with Fausto, but treated cruelly by him. What do the blind soldiers plan? Can Sara soften Fausto's hardened heart?

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Plot Keywords:

blind soldier | failed suicide | missing hand | commedia all'italiana | 1970s | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

20 December 1974 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Scent of a Woman

Filming Locations:

Vico delle Camelie, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dean Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alessandro Momo (Giovanni Bertazzi, aka Ciccio) died on 20 November 1974 (shortly after the shooting of the movie was completed) in Rome, Italy (motorcycle accident) not far from the filming locations.

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Quotes

Il capitano Fausto Consolo: You know what I am?
Giovanni Bertazzi, aka Ciccio: No.
Il capitano Fausto Consolo: The eleven of spades.
Giovanni Bertazzi, aka Ciccio: It doesn't exist.
Il capitano Fausto Consolo: That's the point. A card that's not in the pack. Good for no game.

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Connections

Remade as Scent of a Woman (1992)

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Soundtracks

"La bambola rosa"
Written by Nicola Salerno (as Nisa), P.G. Redi (as Redi)
Edizioni LEONARDI

User Reviews

Original Hard to Beat

It is some time since I have seen both versions of the film, but Dino Risi's original left an indelible mark, unlike the lightweight Hollywood incarnation. The dark, atmospheric "Profumo di Donna" showcases a powerful performance by Vitorrio Gassman - "non sono un leone" reverberates with the tragic realisation of a strong man defeated. Hollywood is so adept at picking a good story well told and churning it out in the familiar mould - big budget, big name lead - but, hey - horses for courses! Most English speaking viewers can't be discomfited to read subtitles and, unless a film is dubbed, would gladly deny its virtue.