The Naked Maja (1959)
Directed by Henry Koster / Mario Russo
Genres - Drama, Romance |
Sub-Genres - Biopic [feature], Period Film |
Release Date - Dec 20, 1958 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 111 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Eleanor Mannikka
The slow pacing of this fanciful tale about the life and one reputed love of the Spanish artist Francisco Goya makes for an uneven drama. Anthony Franciosa is the artist, and Ava Gardner plays his paramour, the Duchess of Alba. While the Prime Minister of Spain schemes to betray his country to Napoleon's forces and the Spanish Inquisition is winding to a close (overplayed here) Goya is trying to survive the pangs of love he feels for the aloof Duchess. In reality, the artist was seriously ill during this period -- in the last decade of the 18th century -- and actually went deaf. But reality is set aside for high romance, as the pair of star-crossed lovers take center stage over art and politics.
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Keywords
aristocracy, death, extramarital-affair, love, nudity, painting, poison, romance, scandal, Spain