Senso (1954)

Set in 1860's Venice at the time the Austrian occupation was nearing its end when Italian nationalists revolted against their presence, an aristocratic and married Italian countess (Alida Valli) enters an affair with an Austrian lieutenant (Farley Granger) which will have far reaching and tragic consequences. Directed by Luchino Visconti, this is a remarkable melodrama. Its portrayal of unbridled passion (I'm not sure one can legitimately call it love) and how reason and pride disappear as one abandons oneself to it, stands alone in cinema annals. It's clear right from the beginning that the Austrian lieutenant is unworthy of her and when he looks at her and says, "You shouldn't love me. No one should." you know the worst is yet to come. Visconti's rich Technicolor imagery is unsurpassed here, enhanced by the talents of Robert Krasker (THE THIRD MAN) and Aldo Graziato (UMBERTO D). Valli is superb here and it's Granger's finest hour though I suspect being dubbed in Italian helped. Tennessee Williams and Paul Bowles (THE SHELTERING SKY) are credited with something called "dialogue collaboration". I'm not quite sure what that means but perhaps it's more evident in the cut, dubbed version called THE WANTON COUNTESS. With Massimo Girotti and Sergio Fantoni.