Watch Seven Beauties

Seven Beauties is a 1975 Italian language movie directed by Lina Wertmuller. It stars Giancarlo Giannini, Fernando Rey, and Shirley Stoler. The movie is considered one of the best cinematic works of Wertmuller and is recognized as a masterpiece of the Italian cinema in the 1970s. The movie chronicles the story of Pasqualino Frafuso (Giancarlo Giannini), a small-time crook with a heart of gold, as he attempts to survive in the perilous political climate of Italy during World War II. He is arrested by Fascist police for killing his sister's lover in a fit of rage, and he tries to secure his release from prison by agreeing to join the Italian army. But the army too is a trap, and he deserts after a botched attack on Russian troops, and takes shelter in a brothel where he ends up serving an obese prostitute (Shirley Stoler) who has a penchant for cruel punishment.

After escaping the brothel, Pasqualino crosses the war-torn countryside of Italy and enters a prisoner-of-war camp. There he meets The Duke (Fernando Rey), a fellow inmate who holds the key to his survival in the camp. The Duke offers Pasqualino his protection but only if he agrees to perform a shameful act - impregnating a lard mountain of a woman in order to procure her release as a war bride.

Pasqualino is torn between his conscience and his survival instincts, but he ultimately decides to go through with the act, with the promise of freedom for himself and The Duke. After his release, Pasqualino finds himself back in Naples, where he discovers that his family is living in poverty and misery. He swiftly embarks on a mission to secure his family's fortune by plotting to marry off his seven sisters to wealthy men in exchange for their money.

Seven Beauties is a dark but funny satire that explores themes of power, corruption, survival, and sacrifice in the context of World War II Italy. Wertmuller's direction is bold and inventive, and Giannini's portrayal of Pasqualino Frafuso is a triumph of acting that earned him international recognition. The movie offers a unique perspective on the horrors of war and human nature - it is a study of the human psyche pushed to the brink of self-preservation.

The movie's visual style and cinematography are both striking and memorable, with inventive camera work and surreal imagery that add depth to the characters and plot. The use of music is also noteworthy, with a lively score that balances the movie's dark themes with humor and poignancy.

In conclusion, Seven Beauties is a cinematic masterpiece that remains as relevant today as it was more than four decades ago. It is a powerful work of art that reflects the human experience in times of crisis, and it is a testament to the power of cinema to explore the depths of human emotions and struggles.

Seven Beauties is a 1976 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.