Abel Gance and his Lucrezia Borgia

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

Finding Abel Gance's works here is a chore. Surely most rental places will have his tremendous Napoleon, but anything else? Hardly.
I was able to locate two: the 1935 Lucrezia Borgia and 1936 Beethoven.
Last night it was Lucrezia.
What can I say... not a major work by any stretch of imagination. A historic drama where too much was put in too little time to be of any real significance and depth.
The film has its strong point - the costumes, the interiors all seem to be well done and present beautiful imagery - joy too look at. I of course paid special attention to the arms used in the film - of course they were everywhere. That part was somewhat of a disappointment, with the later, 17th century pieces in sight here and there - surely there were no swept hilt rapiers in 1596.
The movie is cursory at best in its introduction to the history of the period, so unless you are reasonably familiar with it much will be lost on you. But apparently that was not Gance's intention - to give you a history lesson. Unlike his monumental Napoleon this work is much more chamber... and borders on tinsel.
One interesting note - the extend to which female nudity (including the near-full frontal) is used seems to be completely out of step with what we normally consider the 1935 standards - I don't recall another example of such early and extensive use. Perhaps someone could comment more on this element, that really stood out.
One can certainly feel and see the hand of a master in many spots... but the film simply doesn't have the power, the energy of the Napoleon - is this simply the reflection of the relative historical significance of the two personas? One could say this is an abbreviated chronicle of the Borgia house history... one would have some point here, but then perhaps more attention should have been given to period politics rather than Lucrezia's affairs... none of which BTW was presented with real insight or even zest - unlike the several orgy scenes, her affairs were shown with an almost extreme modesty.
Overall not an overwhelming experience - I caught myself glancing at the clock towards the end... but still an interesting milestone in the development of the director who gave us one of the most significant films in history.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

VH Audio

Topic - Abel Gance and his Lucrezia Borgia - Victor Khomenko 06:42:45 04/20/04 (7)

Re: The 1926 silent "Ben Hur"... - rico 07:47:09 04/20/04 (3)

Re: DonÂ´t tell Audiophilander... - patrickU 08:00:22 04/20/04 (2)

I usually don't pay too much attention to your vapid Euro-mustard waxings, but since you mentioned my name... - Audiophilander 09:02:52 04/20/04 (1)

Re: I was wondering if.... - patrickU 11:30:50 04/20/04 (0)

Re: I was just wondering.... - patrickU 10:08:29 04/20/04 (0)

Re: Abel Gance and his Lucrezia Borgia - patrickU 07:26:27 04/20/04 (2)

Re: Abel Gance and his Lucrezia Borgia - Victor Khomenko 07:39:49 04/20/04 (1)

Re: Abel Gance and his Lucrezia Borgia - patrickU 07:58:23 04/20/04 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.