The biggest tragedy of this film is that American Independent Pictures pulled the rug on the ageing Minnelli during his directorial work. Rumours abound about how much over budget he was - but then AIP always funded cheap productions - and this could never be.
The original French novel is languorous, passionate, compelling and exciting, telling the story of how a country girl goes to work in a hotel and meets the Countess Santziani, a legendary star in her day, but who has fallen on hard times.
Bergman plays the role of the Countess with all her usual dignity, but having to let go to be the near-mad Countess. She is fabulously over the top and Liza plays the awe-struck Nina with her usual flair, finally rising to the stardom that comes her way. The cameo role of Charles Boyer adds a touch of period nostalgia.
When seeing the film, it is easy to see Minnelli's rich direction, what a pity that it is intercut with stock footage, which clashes horribly with the passion that Minnelli could still bring to directing his daughter and Bergman.
The story is fantastic - but so is the novel. With a couple of songs by Kander and Ebb, it's a pity that it could not have been completed by the late master.
Still, it is a rare treat - and beats a number of other musicals from that same period.
The original French novel is languorous, passionate, compelling and exciting, telling the story of how a country girl goes to work in a hotel and meets the Countess Santziani, a legendary star in her day, but who has fallen on hard times.
Bergman plays the role of the Countess with all her usual dignity, but having to let go to be the near-mad Countess. She is fabulously over the top and Liza plays the awe-struck Nina with her usual flair, finally rising to the stardom that comes her way. The cameo role of Charles Boyer adds a touch of period nostalgia.
When seeing the film, it is easy to see Minnelli's rich direction, what a pity that it is intercut with stock footage, which clashes horribly with the passion that Minnelli could still bring to directing his daughter and Bergman.
The story is fantastic - but so is the novel. With a couple of songs by Kander and Ebb, it's a pity that it could not have been completed by the late master.
Still, it is a rare treat - and beats a number of other musicals from that same period.