जीवनी

Luchino Visconti

Born into one of Northern Italy's richest families as one of the Duke of Modrone's seven children.
His film Ossessione (1943) was based on James M. Cain's 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'. Because of copyright issues, it was not shown in the United States. The picture also engendered the ire of Benito Mussolini's censors who had Visconti thrown in jail. He was to be executed and only survived because of the timely arrival of American troops. 'Ossessione' was later hailed as an early example of Italian neo-realism.
Longtime companion of actor Helmut Berger from 1964 until his death.
Developed the movement of "Italian neo-realism" together with other directors such as Vittorio De Sica or Roberto Rossellini in the 1940s and 1950s.
A descendant of the 13th Century ruling dynasty of Milan, he received an aristocratic education, notably horsebreeding and the classics (which included painting, music and theatre). He played the cello and visited La Scala from an early age.

[1976 comment on Luis Bunuel] I think today there are too many directors taking themselves seriously; the only one capable of saying anything really new and interesting is Luis Bunuel. He's a very great director.
[on Marcello Mastroianni] He's very human and easily identifies with the man in the street. He's never a hero. Rather, he's an anti-hero, and that's why in turn the public adores him. That's his great merit and his appeal.
[on Burt Lancaster] The Prince in "The Leopard" was a very complex character -- at times autocratic, rude, strong -- at times romantic, good, understanding -- and sometimes even stupid, and above all, mysterious. Burt is all these things too. Sometimes I think Burt is the most perfectly mysterious man I have ever met in my life.
[on Giancarlo Giannini] An extraordinary actor.
[on Vittorio Gassmann] He's a monster. Nature has made him prodigiously gifted and that's not always a blessing. His monstrous technical ability make him neglect to go deeper into the roles he plays. All the same, what an actor!