Dune (1984)

 

In the distant future, a man appears who may be the prophet that a long-suffering galaxy has been waiting for.

Visually compelling and with imaginative styling as you'd expect from the director, the plot has been overloaded so that the sci-fi epic seems more summarized than actually adapted.

On re-watching: Still good to look at, but the narrative is simply not convincing nor much coherent either.

Halliwell (no star): "A basically simple space fiction plot is immensely complicated by a welter of characters who are not properly introduced and who indeed are mostly irrelevant. The result, which cost nearly 50 million dollars, is inaudible, invisible (because of dim lighting) and unentertaining: a disaster of the very first order."

Maltin*1/2: "Elephantine adaptation...You know you're in trouble when film's opening narration...is completely incomprehensible! Visually imaginative, well cast, but joyless and oppressive - not to mention long. For devotees of Herbert's novel only." 

 

Edipo Re (1967)

Based on the Greek tragedy about a man who, unaware of his true parentage, kills his father and marries his mother.

Engaging, slow-paced retelling of the Greek classic, beautifully set in Moroccan landscape, is framed within a modern story which barely corresponds to the historic tale.

Halliwell**: "Austerely involving adaptation of the Greek tragedy, sandwiched between scenes set in modern Italy."

Maltin**1/2: "Pictorially arresting but dull, disappointing adaptation..."

Silvana Mangano

Teorema (1968)

A mysterious young man seduces each member of a bourgeois family and changes their lives.

Although told quite straightforwardly, this tale is charged with political, existential and religious implications without giving any answers; a riddle of sorts.

Halliwell*:  "Moderately amusing fable with the presumed intent of decrying all universal panaceas, including Christianity."

Maltin**: "Pointed, but obvious, occasionally hokey political/sexual fable..."

Silvana Mangano

Ulisse (1954)

Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.

Homer's epic trickled down to an adventure suitable for a younger audience; neverthless, quite entertaining.

Halliwell*: "Peripathetic adventure yarn not too far after Homer; narrative style uncertain but highlights good."

Maltin**: "Hokey, lumbering costumer..."

Riso amaro (1949)

Silvana Mangano

(ph: Gjon Mili)

Silvana Mangano

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvana_Mangano