Le Notti Bianche (1957)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 107 minuten
Alternative title: White Nights
Country:
Italy / France
Directed by: Luchino Visconti
Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Maria Schell and Jean Marais
IMDb score:
7,7 (10.157)
Releasedate: 14 November 1957
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Le Notti Bianche plot
The shy Mario walks across a bridge one evening and meets the strange Natalia, who is waiting for her beloved. When he doesn't show up, she asks Mario to deliver a message to the hotel where she thinks her lover is staying. He agrees... but destroys the note.
Actors and actresses
Natalia
Mario
L'inquilino
La padrona della pensione
La domestica
La cassiera
Un coinvolto nella rissa
Un coinvolto nella rissa
Un giovinastro
Il ballerino
Reviews & comments
Mattson
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- 848 messages
- 1276 votes
I quite enjoyed this. Not very optimistic, but solid work by Visconti. The role of the male main character was appealing, and he also has the perfect appearance for it; that normal appearance, a silly expression in his gaze... Perfect for his character, who here is guided by only his passions, and is followed through the film like a plaything of his feelings. A bit of a Greek hero from a tragedy. At the end of the film the level is raised a bit. I especially loved the lighting during the dance scene where the different couples are always lit and not lit, and it was also enjoyable when Visconti moves his spotlights on the street. I did think the flashback was a bit unnecessary and it should have been left out, it just slowed things down a bit and I didn't think it really added anything.
Translated from Dutch · View original
BBarbie
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- 12893 messages
- 7675 votes
The critically acclaimed Luchino Visconti is not exactly my favorite director. This film cannot change my mind in that regard either.
In an otherwise atmospheric environment, a romantic story develops that leaves me neither warm nor cold. Besides the fact that the film just doesn't want to get going, the pain lies mainly in the far too melodramatic performance of Maria Schell, who I generally have a high regard for as an actress. That doesn't happen here and, given its crucial role, that is actually the death knell for this film, which for me only achieves a passing grade with effort and a lot of good will.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
I was just going to say, 'what a great opening scene' this Le notti bianche has with that very atmospheric decor there in Venice. That bridge, that water, the paving stones, all shrouded in the darkness of the night with a street lamp here and there. Also some drunks, prostitutes and homeless people here and there, but they just fill the screen. However, these nighttime street scenes appear very often in this film. Enchanting at times. Now, everything is literally a set, because it was recorded in a studio somewhere in Rome. But Visconti manages to create something visually beautiful.
But the film is also successful in terms of content. Mario is not lucky (or is he?) with the beautiful Natalia he meets at the bridge. Love at first sight, but she has doubts. Repelling and attracting, a snack and waiting for her real love to show up after not having seen him for a year. Her procrastination and indecisiveness drives him crazy.
Very entertaining film with a strong cast that played well together. Quite enjoyed it. Happiness and unhappiness are very close indeed.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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