by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Cittadi Notte (City at Night) is an existentialist-eye-view of Rome. The story concerns a quartet of "lost souls," played by Patrizia Bini, Henri Vilbert, Antonio De Teffe and Rina Morelli. Practically nothing happens plotwise, though the four protagonists are lovingly photographed (by Mario Bava) as they muse and pontificate on the state of the world. The appeal of Cittadi Notte was rather limited to other existentialists, who weren't much of a sales force in 1957. The film earned its biggest audience when it was shown out of competition at the 1957 Venice Film Festival.
