Senso

Also known as The Wanton Contessa

1954 film by Luchino Visconti

Film · TMDB

7.2

A troubled and neurotic Italian Countess betrays her entire country for a self-destructive love affair with an Austrian Lieutenant.

Released: 1954-03-25123 minDir: Luchino ViscontiRomance, Drama, War

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Cast

Farley Granger as Il Tenente Franz Mahler
Alida Valli as La Contessa Livia Serpieri
Massimo Girotti as Il Marchese Roberto Ussoni
Heinz Moog as Il Conte Serpieri
Rina Morelli as Laura, la Governante
Christian Marquand as Un Ufficiale Boemo

Themes

venice, italy

~13 min read

Article

Senso is a 1954 Italian historical melodrama film directed and co-written by Luchino Visconti, based on Camillo Boito's novella of the same name. Set during the Third Italian War of Independence, the film follows the Italian Contessa Livia Serpieri (Alida Valli), who has an affair with the Austrian Lieutenant Franz Mahler (Farley Granger). It was Visconti's first color film.

The word senso [ˈsɛn.so] is Italian for "sense," "feeling," or "lust." The title refers to the delight Livia experiences while reflecting on her affair with a handsome lieutenant, in spite of her political convictions.