The Golden Coach (1952)

Three men of varying social standing - a viceroy, a bullfighter, and a soldier - vie for the affections of an actress in 18th-century Peru.

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writers:

Jean Renoir (story and screenplay), Jack Kirkland (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Anna Magnani, Odoardo Spadaro, Nada Fiorelli

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anna Magnani	...	Camilla
Odoardo Spadaro	...	Don Antonio
Nada Fiorelli	...	Isabella
Dante	...	Arlequin
Duncan Lamont	...	Ferdinand, Le Viceroy
George Higgins	...	Martinez
Ralph Truman	...	Duc de Castro
Gisella Mathews	...	Marquise Irene Altamirano
Raf De La Torre	...	Le Procureur
Elena Altieri	...	Duchesse de Castro
Paul Campbell	...	Felipe
Riccardo Rioli	...	Ramon, le Toreador
William Tubbs	...	Aubergiste (as William C. Tubbs)
Jean Debucourt	...	Eveque de Carmol (de Comédie-Française)

Storyline

In Peru in the eighteenth century. Camilla, the star of a theater company, hesitates between three men. The Viceroy gives her his magnificent golden coach. A young Spanish officer suggests the two of them settle down together among Indians. Ramon, a torero, offers her a share of his glory.

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Plot Keywords:

period drama | viceroy | indians | theater | sword fight | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Luchino Visconti and his regular scenarist Suso Cecchi D'Amico worked on an earlier draft adaptation of the Merimee story as a vehicle for Anna Magnani, but there was no funding and their production was cancelled.

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Quotes

Felipe: I'm going back to the Indians, Camilla. I'm going to leave this civilization that's making use brutal and dishonest. And start a new life. Close to nature. Among rivers and forests. A new life.

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Connections

Referenced in Sunny Side Up (1994)

User Reviews

An Italian Commedia dell'arte troupe ends up in Peru to entertain the court of Lima with intrigues and consequences..

This is Jean Renoir at his most gorgeous and playful, although he was already getting old when this was made as an enthusiastic tribute to "Commedia dell'arte" staging Anna Magnani as the ultimate primadonna and diva, who in spite of her over-maturity attracts even a king to court her simply by her stardom as an overwhelming actress. The story is silly, of course, and not at all credible and gets steadily more ridiculous all the time, some scenes are actually quite trying for their tedious imbecility, but all comedies are like that - they are never serious, and in comedy everything is allowed, especially silliness. The outstanding merit of the film is how it brings the Commedia dell'arte alive and seemingly more alive than ever - the first theatre scenes are like fireworks in their ebullient sprightliness and a joy both to the eye and the intellect for being so rich in their apparent improvisations with new whims all the time, but it's actually nothing but mastery of expert direction, and jean Renoir knew all about that. Treat it for what it is, a hilarious comedy out of this world, and forbear with the impossible intrigue and hopeless failures of turn-outs that try your patience - Anna Magnani compensates fully for them all with her delightful troupe, where the children are an additional wonder to a gloriously preposterous performance.

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Golden Coach

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Delphinus, Hoche Productions, Panaria Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)