Luigi Magni confirms his reputation as a highly entertaining director of popular and satirical comedies with a strong foothold in contemporary reality. More often than not, his films are set in Papal Rome (as with his previous work, the very successful Nell’anno del Signore), whereas here he travels further back in time to Ancient Rome. With a high sense of self-awareness and amused irony, the film overturns the usual cinematographic stereotypes of the Roman world, dismisses historical accuracy and throws itself into a light-hearted and free interpretation of political dynamics based on deception. Scipione detto anche l’Africano is also an ideal film for actors to show their worth, and the exceptional cast does not disappoint. It includes: Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman, Silvana Mangano, Turi Ferro, Fosco Giachetti, Woody Strode and Ruggero Mastroianni (brother to Marcello and one of Italian cinema’s best editors, here trying his hand at acting). The best skirmishes are those between Mastroianni and Gassman, who play the roles of The African and The Censor, respectively, masterfully playing off each other and against each other.
Publio Cornelio Scipione, AKA “The African”, idolised by the people as a hero, and his brother Lucio Cornelio Scipione, AKA “The Asian”, are accused by Catone, AKA “The Censor”, of having unlawfully taken possession of 500 sesterces destined for the treasury. However, Catone is also motivated by political manoeuvrings. The African, who is innocent, uncovers his brother’s guilt, but that isn’t enough for Catone: what matters is that the enormous influence The African holds over the public does not undermine the principles of the Republic…
Luigi Magni confirms his reputation as a highly entertaining director of popular and satirical comedies with a strong foothold in contemporary reality. More often than not, his films are set in Papal Rome (as with his previous work, the very successful Nell’anno del Signore), whereas here he travels further back in time to Ancient Rome. With a high sense of self-awareness and amused irony, the film overturns the usual cinematographic stereotypes of the Roman world, dismisses historical accuracy and throws itself into a light-hearted and free interpretation of political dynamics based on deception. Scipione detto anche l’Africano is also an ideal film for actors to show their worth, and the exceptional cast does not disappoint. It includes: Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman, Silvana Mangano, Turi Ferro, Fosco Giachetti, Woody Strode and Ruggero Mastroianni (brother to Marcello and one of Italian cinema’s best editors, here trying his hand at acting). The best skirmishes are those between Mastroianni and Gassman, who play the roles of The African and The Censor, respectively, masterfully playing off each other and against each other.
Publio Cornelio Scipione, AKA “The African”, idolised by the people as a hero, and his brother Lucio Cornelio Scipione, AKA “The Asian”, are accused by Catone, AKA “The Censor”, of having unlawfully taken possession of 500 sesterces destined for the treasury. However, Catone is also motivated by political manoeuvrings. The African, who is innocent, uncovers his brother’s guilt, but that isn’t enough for Catone: what matters is that the enormous influence The African holds over the public does not undermine the principles of the Republic…
