"Visconti, who directed numerous operas in addition to his films, intended Senso as a kind of opera without arias — a story where outsized, out-of-control, over-the-top emotions were given their head."
— Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Italy, 1954
Director: Luchino Visconti
Producer: Domenico Forges Davanzati
Cast: Farley Granger, Alida Valli, Massimo Girotti
Screenwriter: Luchino Visconti, Suso Cecchi D'Amico
In collaboration with Carlo Alianello, Giorgio Bassani, Giorgio Prosperi, Tennessee Williams, Paul Bowles
Based on the novel by Camillo Boito
Cinematography: G.R. Aldo, Robert Krasker
Costumes: Marcel Escoffier, Piero Tosi
Genre: Drama, War, Romance
Color
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Language: Italian and German with English subtitles
Running Time: 123 minutes
Synopsis:
Against the backdrop of the Italian-Austrian war of unification, troubled Countess Livia Serpieri (Alida Valli) betrays her country for the love of an Austrian rogue, Franz Mahler (Farley Granger). As her resources dwindle, Livia comes to realize that their love might not be as pure as she thought.
Restored by Studiocanal, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia-Cineteca Nazionale, and Cineteca di Bologna at L’Immagine Ritrovata. Restoration funding provided by Gucci, The Film Foundation, and Comitato Italia 150.
"Senso is lush, broadly emotional
and beautifully photographed."
— Roger Ebert
"A lush, melodramatic portrait of seduction and betrayal, decadence and deceit in the midst of Italy's resistance to Austrian occupation in the mid-19th century."
— Dave Kehr
