Mandragola
Cast & Crew
Alberto Lattuada
Rosanna Schiaffino
Philippe Leroy
Jean-claude Brialy
Totò
Romolo Valli
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In the 16th century, Callimaco, a wealthy young Florentine studying in France, hears of the celebrated beauty of Lucrezia Calfucci, the young wife of Nicia, a prominent old notary. Accompanied by his manservant, Callimaco returns to Florence to undertake the seduction of the virtuous Lucrezia. Because she has not been able to bear a child for Nicia, Lucrezia has endured a variety of torments designed to cure sterility. Callimaco connives with Ligurio, a professional parasite, on a means of executing his plan. Posing as a famed physician, Callimaco informs the foolish Nicia that his wife will bear him a child if she drinks a potion made from the mandrake root. Callimaco further explains that the first man to lie with her will die, and it is therefore imperative that a substitute lover be found. Nicia is convinced, but the chaste Lucrezia agrees only reluctantly, pressured by her mother and Fra Timoteo, a corruptible monk. Callimaco then poses as a street vagabond and allows himself to be taken by force to Lucrezia's chambers. She is repulsed by the seeming halfwit until Callimaco removes his disguise to confess his part in the conspiracy. Overcome by his passion and tenderness, Lucrezia welcomes him into her arms. Later, she informs her husband that she will require the services of her physician for a long time to come, and that Callimaco must become a permanent member of the household.
Director
Alberto Lattuada
Cast
Rosanna Schiaffino
Philippe Leroy
Jean-claude Brialy
Totò
Romolo Valli
Nilla Pizzi
Armando Bandini
Pia Fioretti
Mimo Billi
Donato Castellaneta
Ugo Attanasio
Luigi Leoni
Renato Montalbano
Crew
Nino Baragli
Alfredo Bini
Eliseo Boschi
Tonino Delli Colli
Danilo Donati
Carlo Egidi
Dino Fazio
Alberto Lattuada
Luigi Magni
Gino Marinuzzi Jr.
Stefano Strucchi
Giancarlo Zagni
Film Details
Technical Specs
Award Nominations
Best Costume Design
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Original Italian title: La mandragola (1965), running time: 100 min. English dubbed version known as Mandragola/The Love Root and The Love Root.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Summer June 6, 1966
Released in United States Summer June 6, 1966
