Caesar and Claretta (1975) (TV)

Director:

Claude Whatham

Writer:

Jack Russell (by)

Release Date:

9 May 1975 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Lingerie Slip | Bedroom

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	Claretta Petacci
Robert Hardy	...	Benito Mussolini
Robin Scobey	...	Pedro
Gary McDermott	...	Neri (as Garry McDermott)
Nick Llewellyn	...	Lino
Stephen Tate	...	Cantoni
Gina Manicom	...	Lia
Oliver Cotton	...	Giacomo
Donald Webster	...	Valerio
Maurice Badi	...	Boy 1
Paul Tropea	...	Boy 2

Directed by
Claude Whatham

Writing credits
Jack Russell		(by)

Produced by
Rosemary Hill	....	producer

Production Design by
Allan Anson

Costume Design by
Kenneth Morey		(as Ken Morey)

Makeup Department
Deanne Turner	....	makeup artist

Sound Department
Ray Angel	....	sound (as Raymund Angel)

Camera and Electrical Department
Nigel Wright	....	lighting

Other crew
Frank Hatherley	....	script editor
Maureen Moore	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. Television (in association with)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

50 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Company:

Warner Bros. Television

a two-hander tour de force

'Caesar and Claretta' dramatises the last few hours in the lives of Benito Mussolini (El Duce, played by Robert Hardy) and his mistress Claretta (played by Helen Mirren).

With a short running time and a sparkling script by Jack Russell, this play zips along giving voice to these characters from history, from their capture and move to a safe house, to their eventual removal and murder. The play uses newsreels to set the scene before we see Mussolini, face obscured and silent, ushered into the house where he will spend his last hours with Claretta.

A minor piece but beautifully acted especially by Mirren, at this point at the start of her television career.