Review for Fellini's Casanova

Mr. Bongo have released an exceptional edition of an exceptional film. Well, exceptional in that it’s an exquisite transfer – flawless, crisp in detail and beautiful depth of colour. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it’s completely bereft of any extra features, unlike Blu-Ray releases in France and the U.S. Whilst those extras would be fun to have having such a great transfer should be more than enough to persuade you to add this particular edition to your collection – if you’re a fan of Federico Fellini of course.


Unlike other renditions of the ‘Casanova’ myth, Fellini’s 1977 version of the tale sees our hero in his elder years. It’s a dark and surreal film, not dissimilar in atmosphere and feel to ‘Satyricon’, with a foppish and ragged looking Donald Sutherland playing the lead in what must have been seen as the most unusual bit of casting for a decade. The fact that he pulls it off magnificently is a testament to an actor who I had pretty much pigeon-holed as a slightly stressed intellect – as in ‘Don’t Look Now’ or ‘Mash’.
It’s the tale of Casanova after he’s captured and thrown in prison following accusations of heresy and witchcraft. It opens with him answering to the Inquisition and being condemned to jail, stripped of his clothes and locked in a dingy cell.


Eventually he manages an escape and takes to travelling around Europe’s major cities, seducing all in his wake. His conquests include Angelina the Giantess (played by the world's tallest woman at the time, Sandra Elaine Allen), and a mechanical doll called Rosalba (Leda Lojodice), as well as a respected doctor’s two daughters, and a horny old Marquise. Oh – and a nun.

Much of the sex is hyper-real and super stylised, much like modern dance though it leaves little to the imagination and is therefore not for anyone with a Mary Whitehouse sensibility.

It’s beautifully shot and deservedly won an Oscar for its vast array of frivolous costumes – all highly theatrical. The films purpose is somewhat difficult to surmise. Is it a critique or satire or merely a depraved indulgence by Fellini? Who cares? It’s wildly entertaining whatever its goal.
Sutherland is incredible in the film, made up to accentuate his worst features with a punch-like nose and a balding palate. Sutherland was a huge fan of Fellini’s ‘La Strada’ and so didn’t hesitate to accept the role, apocryphally intended for Robert Redford if such a thing could be imagined.

The best way to witness the vibe of the film is to watch the trailers – they’re highly indicative of what to expect across its two and half hours though they don’t reflect the full HD quality.


When the film was released in 1977 it was one of two films doing the rounds at the time, the second being a more straight-forward saucy romp called ‘The Rise and Rise of Casanova’ which may well be why this version is always ‘Fellini’s Casanova’.

The score (Nino Rota) is worthy of note, adding great atmosphere and tension to the film as well as some soaring and uplifting moments too. Rota had worked with Fellini on a variety of his previous work including the wonderful soundtrack to La Strada.

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the transfer is stunning. This is why HD is so brilliant. Seeing it in HD for the first time revealed some elements that I’d never noticed before, like the black sea in the opening scenes being made up of black plastic bin liners. I kid you not, though clearly intentional.

If you’re a fan of Fellini’s later works then you’ll love ‘Casanova’ and you’ll especially love seeing it look this great. Highly recommended.