Ghosts of Rome
Ghosts of Rome (Italian: Fantasmi a Roma) is a 1961 Italian comedy film directed by Antonio Pietrangeli.[1] It was released in the UK in 1964 as The Phantom Lovers.
| Ghosts of Rome | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Antonio Pietrangeli |
| Produced by | Franco Cristaldi |
| Written by | Sergio Amidei Ennio Flaiano Ruggero Maccari Antonio Pietrangeli Ettore Scola |
| Based on | idea by Sergio Amidei story by Ennio Flaiano Antonio Pietrangeli Ettore Scola Ruggero Maccari |
| Starring | Marcello Mastroianni |
| Music by | Nino Rota |
| Cinematography | Giuseppe Rotunno |
| Edited by | Eraldo Da Roma |
Production company | Galatea Film Lux Film Vides Cinematografica |
| Distributed by | Gala (UK) |
Release date |
1964 (UK) |
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian |
Plot
Count di Roviano refuses to sell his palace to a developer, despite having no money. He lives with ghosts: Ronaldo, a lady's man, Bartholomew, a friar, Flora, who died with love, and a five year old boy.
The Count is blown up by his water heater and joins the ghosts. His nephew Fredeico inherits the castle and moves in with his girlfriend Eileen, intending to sell it. The ghosts call in an artist friend, Caprra, and try to get him to finish a painting so the castle is declared a national monument.
Cast
- Marcello Mastroianni - Reginaldo / Federico di Roviano / Gino
- Vittorio Gassman - Caparra, pittore del '600, rivale del Caravaggio
- Belinda Lee - Eileen
- Sandra Milo - Donna Flora
- Eduardo De Filippo - Don Annibale, Principe di Roviano
- Claudio Gora - Ing. Telladi
- Tino Buazzelli - Father Bartolomeo
- Franca Marzi - Nella
- Ida Galli - Carla
- Lilla Brignone - Regina
- Claudio Catania - Poldino
- Michele Riccardini - Antonio, tailor and doorman
- Enzo Cerusico - Admirer
- Nadia Marlowa
- Luciana Gilli - Girl in the park (as Gloria Gilli)
- Enzo Maggio - Fricandò
- Graziella Galvani - Mathematics teacher
Reception
One review called it "a jolly little Roman fantasy."[2] The Spectator called it "a cheerful surprise."[3]
The Monthly Film Bulletin called it an "inoffensive comedy has a theme too slight and too lacking to be anything other than tedious when treated at such length."[4]
Sight and Sound called it "a fragile fantasy".[5] Filmink called it "entertaining".[6]
References
- "NY Times: Ghosts of Rome". NY Times.com. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
- Beauty and the beast Grant, Elspeth. The Tatler and Bystander; London Vol. 253, Iss. 3289, (Sep 9, 1964): 511.
- The Goddess. (Academy Cinema Club, 'A' certificatr.)-Phantom Lovers. (Continentale, 'A' certificate) (Book Review) QUIGLY, ISABEL. The Spectator; London Vol. 213, Iss. 7106, (Sep 4, 1964): 312.
- PHANTOM LOVERS "(Fantasmi a Roma)" Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 31, Iss. 360, (Jan 1, 1964): 148.
- Review of film at Sight and Sound
- Vagg, Stephen (7 September 2020). "A Tale of Two Blondes: Diana Dors and Belinda Lee". Filmink.
External links
- Ghosts of Rome at IMDb
- Film page at BFI