Messalina or The Affairs of Messalina is a 1951 historical drama film directed by Carmine Gallone and starring María Félix, Georges Marchal and Memo Benassi.Winkler p.232-33 It was a co-production between France, Italy and Spain. It was shot at the Cinecittà studios in Rome with sets designed by the art directors Gastone Medin and Vittorio Nino Novarese. It was part of a growing trend of epic historical films of 1950s.
Synopsis The film portrays the story of the Messalina, the third wife of the Roman Emperor Claudius.
Main cast María Félix as Messalina Georges Marchal as Caio Silio / Gaius Silius Memo Benassi as Claudio / Claudius Delia Scala as Cinzia Erno Crisa as Timo / Timus Carlo Ninchi as Tauro / Taurus Camillo Pilotto as Ottavio / Octave Jean Tissier as Mnester Jean Chevrier as Valerio / Valerius Asiaticus Germaine Kerjean as Ismene Ave Ninchi as Locusta / Locuste Michel Vitold as Narciso / Narcissus Giuseppe Varni as Pallante Luigi Almirante as the jeweler Lamberto Picasso as the astrologer Gino Saltamerenda as the brothel's manager Cesare Barbetti as Lucio / Lucius Achille Majeroni as Appolonio / Appolonius Giovanna Galletti as the Christian woman
References
Bibliography Winkler, Martin N. Cinema and Classical Texts: Apollo's New Light. Cambridge University Press, 2009.
External links