Movie spotlight
The Black Duke
Cesar Borgia--a cardinal in the Catholic church, a confidant of the Pope and a member of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in 16th-century Italy--must deal with a host of political and personal crises. He is having problems with his mistress, and members of a secret society called The Black Carnation are out to assassinate him.
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Plot Summary
In 11th-century Southern Italy, a Norman knight, Robert Guiscard, rises to power and clashes with the Byzantine Empire and the Papacy. His ambition and military prowess lead him to conquer vast territories, eventually earning him the title 'The Black Duke' due to his formidable reputation. The film depicts his strategic brilliance, personal relationships, and the political machinations of the era as he carves out his own dukedom.
Critical Reception
The Black Duke received a mixed reception from critics upon its release. While some praised its lavish production values and historical scope, others found its pacing to be slow and its narrative somewhat underdeveloped. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some appreciating the epic feel and others finding it lacking in emotional depth.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its historical setting and visual spectacle.
Criticized for its deliberate pacing and a lack of compelling character development.
The film offers an interesting, if somewhat distant, portrayal of a significant historical figure.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available suggest a mixed reaction, with some appreciating the historical epic and others finding it a bit dated and slow.
Fun Fact
The film was an Italian-French-West German co-production, filmed in English and Italian versions with different casts for some roles, showcasing the international appeal and production scale of historical epics during the 1960s.
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