Ferdinand, the king of Naples, appears as an older man when we are first introduced to him. He is an old man that is taken ill and in his death bed he remembers the events that dominated his life. Mainly, he remembers his relationship with Maria Carolina Ausberg, an Austrian princess that was chosen for him by Empress Maria Theresa, after two other daughters have died refusing to marry the ugly Ferdinand.
In flashbacks we get to see aspects in the life of this monarch, the king of one of the small, but strategic monarchies in Europe toward the end of the XVIII Century. Ferdinand's father, Carlo, a Borbon, was the king of Spain at the time. Both his father and Maria Theresa dominated his life as they both tried to control a young man who couldn't do anything against the formidable forces that were to control his life.
The film, as other Lina Wertmuller productions, is a struggle for power, in this case, Carlo's and Maria Theresa's who had iron wills and it is clear what they were hoping for. This historical picture was co-written by Ms. Wertmuller and Raffaele LaCapria. This production was blessed by the wonderful art design Enrico Job gave to everything one sees. The costumes by Gino Persico feel authentic and the crisp cinematography used by Blasco Giurato enhance the story being told.
The acting is good in general. Sergio Assisi makes a great Ferdinando. Gabrielle Pession is a beautiful Maria Carolina. Nicola Grimaudo plays the Princess of Medina, a Sicilian beauty that makes the king go crazy for her charms. Isa Danieli, a frequent collaborator of the director, appears as Ferdinando's maid Fravuletta. Silvana DeSantis has some interesting moments as Empress Maria Theresa and Gerardo Gargiulo plays Carlo with ease.
The film holds our attention thanks to the humor and irony Ms. Wertmuller has given to the picture. It is also gorgeous to look at as we are taken from palace to palace to admire the splendor of the life at the time when the story takes place.
In flashbacks we get to see aspects in the life of this monarch, the king of one of the small, but strategic monarchies in Europe toward the end of the XVIII Century. Ferdinand's father, Carlo, a Borbon, was the king of Spain at the time. Both his father and Maria Theresa dominated his life as they both tried to control a young man who couldn't do anything against the formidable forces that were to control his life.
The film, as other Lina Wertmuller productions, is a struggle for power, in this case, Carlo's and Maria Theresa's who had iron wills and it is clear what they were hoping for. This historical picture was co-written by Ms. Wertmuller and Raffaele LaCapria. This production was blessed by the wonderful art design Enrico Job gave to everything one sees. The costumes by Gino Persico feel authentic and the crisp cinematography used by Blasco Giurato enhance the story being told.
The acting is good in general. Sergio Assisi makes a great Ferdinando. Gabrielle Pession is a beautiful Maria Carolina. Nicola Grimaudo plays the Princess of Medina, a Sicilian beauty that makes the king go crazy for her charms. Isa Danieli, a frequent collaborator of the director, appears as Ferdinando's maid Fravuletta. Silvana DeSantis has some interesting moments as Empress Maria Theresa and Gerardo Gargiulo plays Carlo with ease.
The film holds our attention thanks to the humor and irony Ms. Wertmuller has given to the picture. It is also gorgeous to look at as we are taken from palace to palace to admire the splendor of the life at the time when the story takes place.