An absorbing and dramatic confrontation among members of a family with dark secrets. Set in the end-of-century Rome, 1880 , where happens a terrible family drama resulting in a surprising and fateful ending . A rich owner called Gregorio (Anthony Quinn) has decided to close his bakery , the family business. Then he tells his sons , the ambitious Pippo (Gigi Proietti) , the playboy , womanizer Mario (Fabio Testi) and daughter Teta (Adriana Asti) married to a government official (Paolo Bonacelli) they will have to fend their future for themselves. But newly married Irene (Dominique Sanda) , Pippo's wife , has other schemes . As the wealthy patriarch becomes sexually involved with the intriguing daughter-in-law . But the arguments , betrayals among them are continuous and it results in unfortunate consequences . Irene manages to convince the brothers that they must prevent at all costs that their daddy falls in love again to avoid the risk of losing their inheritance , but things go wrong.
Tawdry story is nonetheless engaging and interesting at times . Family saga in which a young predatory as well as scheming woman becomes involved in an plot about oppressive brothers and combined with period piece , including glamorous gowns and adequate settings . It's a completely riveting melodrama from start to finish in which an ambitious woman acting on intelligence , weighing every step and its results , wants to take a valuable inheritance . This is truly fascinating tale , though it has some flaws , disjointed scenes , gaps and unappropriate finale .An interesting and engaging drama with confrontation and quarrels , making evident the open wounds left by the family tradition seem to be alive . Actors are frankly well , as the cast is dominated by celebrities at the time , particularly stunning are Anthony Quinn giving a real "tour De force" in his usual style and Dominique Sanda as the gorgeous , calculating and scheming young woman who wants to take over the inheritance , as she won Cannes Award : Best actress . Along with a better than average remaining cast , such as : Fabio Testi , Luigi Proietti , Adriana Asti and Paolo Bonacelli.
It contains sensitive and moving musical score by Ennio Morricone . Evocative Cinematography in Eastmancolor by great cameraman Ennio Guarnieri , showing several monuments and sightseeing from Rome . The motion picture was competently directed by Mauro Bologinini . Being Winner Best Actress Dominique Sanda tied with Mari Töröcsik , Nominee
Palme d'Or Mauro Bolognini , Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists 1977 Winner Silver Ribbon , Best Supporting Actress : Adriana Asti , Turkish Film Critics Association (SIYAD) Awards 1979 , Nominee SIYAD Award Best Foreign Film . Mauro Bolognini was member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1985 and brother of producer Manolo Bolognini. Student of architecture at the University of Florence. Trained in set design and directing at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome. Worked as assistant director under neo-realist director Luigi Zampa from 1948 to 1952 . Subsequently in France as assistant to Jean Delannoy and Yves Allégret. Directed his own films from 1953, his best output coming from scripts by Pier Paolo Pasolini (such as La notte brava 1959) or adaptations of works by Alberto Moravia . He was one of the bets Italian directors in the Sixties who wrote/directed some good and successful films . Directing especially comedy and drama , such as : Adiós, Moscú , Senilidad , La viaccia , Il bell'Antonio , Mademoiselle de Maupin, Agostino , Un bellissimo noviembre , La notte brava , La vena d'oro , among others .
