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Don Giovanni

7.2

266

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Original title

Don Giovanni

Year

1979

Running time

169 min.

Country

Italy

Director

Joseph Losey

Screenwriter

Joseph Losey, Patricia Losey, Frantz Salieri, Frantz Salieri. Idea: Rolf Liebermann. Story: Lorenzo Da Ponte

Cast

Music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Cinematography

Gerry Fisher

Producer

Co-production Italy-France-Germany-United Kingdom;

Opera Film Produzione, Opéra national de Paris, Gaumont, Caméra One, Janus Film und Fernsehen, France 2 (FR 2)

Genre

Musical | Opera. 17th Century

Synopsis

The exploits of Don Giovanni are renowned the world over, his seduction of ladies across the continent – young and old, ugly and beautiful, rich and poor alike (anything in a skirt really) - constituting an impressive tally (2065 at the last count), one that is dutifully noted and recorded by his valet Leporello (José van Dam). On one particular night however, Don Giovanni (Ruggero Raimondi) takes his libertine ways a little too far, slipping into the room of Donna Anna (Edda Moser) for an attempted seduction, but in his haste to remain anonymous and beat a hasty retreat, he kills her father, Il Commendatore (John Macurdy), who has arrived to defend her honour. Donna Anna is devastated by what has occurred and calls on her fiancé Don Ottavio (Kenneth Riegel), in the manner of any good dramatic opera, to avenge his blood. They’ll have to move quickly to keep up with Don Giovanni however, who has quickly moved on to his next conquest – a young peasant girl named Zerlina (Teresa Berganza), who he rakishly intends to seduce on the eve of her marriage to Masetto (Malcolm King). They find an ally however in the form of Donna Elvira (Kiri Te Kanawa), another woman who has fallen victim to his charms only to be immediately abandoned after their wedding.

Awards: 1979: César Awards: 2 Awards. 4 Nominations

1980: BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Costume Design & Best Sound

1979: David di Donatello Awards: Best Production (ex aequo)

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Critics' reviews

"Losey's cinematic version is a conscious attempt to 'make the unreal tangible'. Mostly - despite the odd Zeffirelli-ism and occasional 'motivation' - it succeeds. Appropriately histrionic performances from an excellent opera cast"

Time Out

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User history

Don Giovanni

1979

Joseph Losey

7.2

(266)