Avanti! (1972)

A successful businessman goes to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon-father's body only to discover dad died with his mistress of long standing.

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Samuel A. Taylor (play) (as Samuel Taylor), Billy Wilder (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Juliet Mills, Clive Revill

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Wendell Armbruster, Jr.
Juliet Mills	...	Pamela Piggott
Clive Revill	...	Carlo Carlucci
Edward Andrews	...	J.J. Blodgett
Gianfranco Barra	...	Bruno
Franco Angrisano	...	Arnoldo Trotta
Pippo Franco	...	Mattarazzo
Franco Acampora	...	Armando Trotta
Giselda Castrini	...	Anna
Raffaele Mottola	...	Passport Officer
Lino Coletta	...	Cipriani
Harry Ray	...	Dr. Fleischmann
Guidarino Guidi	...	Maitre D'
Giacomo Rizzo	...	Barman
Antonino Faà di Bruno	...	Concierge (as Antonino Faa' Di Bruno)

Storyline

Baltimore industrialist Wendell Armbruster crosses paths with London shop girl Pamela Piggott when they come to Ischia to pick up the bodies of her mother and his father, who have been killed in an automobile accident after a ten-year summertime affair. Straitlaced Wendell tries to avoid a scandal while free-spirited Pamela is impressed by the romantic setting. After some confusion with the bodies and a blackmail attempt by unscrupulous locals, Wendell and Pamela extend their parent's affair into the next generation.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | blackmail | businessman | mistaken identity | red tape | 

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Taglines:

When someone knocks on your door and says permesso?...be careful before you say Avanti!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Billy Wilder wanted the hero's father's long-running affair to have been with a male bellhop at the hotel; studio executives dissuaded him.

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, after the helicopter takes off, Pamela and Mr. Carlucci are shown walking and their shadows are on their right side and barely as long as they are tall, as if the sun is nearly overhead. The next shot is from the helicopter looking down at them and their shadows are behind them and at least 20 feet long, as if the sun is low in the horizon.

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Quotes

J.J. Blodgett: I don't object to foreigners speaking a foreign language. I just wish they'd all speak the same foreign language.

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Connections

References It Can Be Done Amigo (1972)

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Soundtracks

La Luna
Written by Don Backy and Detto Mariano

User Reviews

A bittersweet masterpiece

So much has been said about the plot of Avanti it seems pointless to go over the synopsis again- but I can say although I am a lover of Horror films, Thrillers and Westerns- it is Avanti that is my favourite film of all time.Avanti is gorgeous to look at and features a beautiful music score. How I wish I could obtain a soundtrack of this delightful score. The scene when Pamela Pigott ( Juliet Mills ) tours the city on a horse drawn carriage and later running from her new found admirers is beautiful with the music so perfect.Also when Pamela and Wendell ( Jack Lemmon ) have their evening meal together , it is again a beautiful music score. Jack Lemmon as the bombastic Wendell Armbruster is as always great. Juliet Mills as Pamela Pigott looks far too gorgeous to be ridiculed by Armbruster but she shines in her finest ever role. However for me the film is stolen completely by Clive Revill as the hotel manager- what a sublime performance. Watch his every movement, his every expression, his delivery of every line.It is a captivating performance, totally exquisite. Clive Revill is an actor sorely neglected by the film world.Billy Wilder's film is so very neglected and it's a pity as this is the perfect film. Watch the beautiful, poignant sequence at the mortuary as Pamela and Wendell view the bodies of their mother and father respectively. And again watch Clive Revill alongside Lemmon and Mills- acting with only movement, expression and not a word. The lighting in this scene is so wonderful, it is dark and depressing with the exception of a shaft of sunlight penetrating the smallest of windows. Wilder manages to wring excellent portrayals out of even the most minor of characters. Watch Avanti and savour the acting, the music and the scenery.

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

17 December 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avanti!

Filming Locations:

Faro di Carena, Capri Island, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$2,750,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,482

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Mirisch Corporation, Phalanx Productions, Jalem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1