original Italian
title IL SORRISO DEL GRANDE TENTATORE [Smile of the Great Tempter] also
known as THE TEMPTER (International
English Title)
director: Damiano Damiani
starring: Glenda Jackson · Claudio Cassinelli · Lisa Harrow · Adolfo
Celi · Dulio Del Prete
The Mother
Superior of a convent (Geraldine as played by Glenda Jackson) wields power
in its most vicious forms. And while she destroys the people in her care,
Sister Geraldine also becomes victim of her own mania as she attempts
to confront the Tempter. Claudio Cassanelli plays a writer
named Rodolfo Solina who agrees to help a monsignor [a Nazi collaborator
during the Holocaust] with an autobiography. With the priest, he moves
to a religious asylum (think "Cuckoo's Nest") headed
by a very controlling Mother Superior, essentially an ecclesiastical rendering
of "Nurse Ratchet." Others staying at the convent
include a nymphomaniac with blood on her hands, a frustrated woman with
bestiality tendencies, and a man incestuously involved with his sister.
During chaos after a suicide, Mother Superior Geraldine begins to suspect
that Rodolfo is the devil incarnate.
While
undeniably sleazy, this Italian/British co-production is not typical nunsploitation
(i.e.,IMAGES
IN THE CONVENT, THE
OTHER HELL, CONVENT
OF SINNERS, et al) but rather a psycho-sexual look at the
dark side of Catholicism, an organization that uses humiliation and shame
to control its congregation. Damiano Damiani helmed 45+ films before retiring
in 2001. He is probably most recognizable for his Spaghetti Westerns QUE
SABE (aka
Bullet for the General) and GENIUS,
TWO PARTNERS AND A DUPE [co-directed with Sergio Leone]. He was
known for getting top-quality performances from young actresses, as he
did with Catherine Spaak and Florinda Bolkan in A
RATHER COMPLICATED GIRL
and from Ornella Muti in her debut THE
MOST BEAUTIFUL WIFE, and Lisa Harrow here. Mr Damiani died at
age 90, March 2013.
This
was the first feature film for actor Claudio Cassinelli. He would affiliate
himself with Sergio Martino for numerous subsequent projects including
SUSPICIOUS
DEATH OF A MINOR, ISLAND
OF FISHMEN, THE
GREAT ALLIGATOR, et al. He would make 50+ movies before
his untimely death in a helicopter crash during the filming of Martino's
Hands of Death in 1985. He was 46.
Much
has been written of Glenda Jackson's unique performance here - an especially
odd choice for her - the only Euro project for this British-based, 2-time
Oscar winner. She brings a heady professional touch to the complicated
character of Mother Superior Geraldine. But, perhaps, the ultimate star
is composer Ennio Morricone who delivers an amazing, bombastic choral
soundtrack.
An
Italian/British co-production in English language; uncut 105 minutes,
on a DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC WORLD FORMAT.
Extras include selected trailers.
Nudity/Strong
Sexual Situations/Violence
For Mature Audiences
