La Gorgona

It is a pity that this film is not in colour, because the costumes almost make the film in their magnificence. Italian historical films usually boast with opulence of costumes and settings, and this is a perfect example. Rossano is here a young dashing Florentine nobleman who interferes with history by a faux pas: while the fleet of the Pisans are out chastising the Saracens and chasing them out of the Balearic islands, the so called Gorgona has offered herself to perform the sacred duty to keep the lighthouse burning to show the fleet the way home after the quest, but Rossano Brazzi was left ashore frustrated unable to follow the fleet, and instead he finds her, and they fall in love, which is forbidden, since she has to be a virgin for her sacred plight. The film is made on a poem, and it is rather operatic - perhaps there is an Italian opera on it as well. The music is rather sparse for such a colourful penchant, but when it starts working it supports and enhances the style. The film is very formal, it is like a melodramatic play, but it is worth watching for its magnificent settings and costumes above all.