Down the Ancient Stairs (1975)

  • NR
  • 10/17/1975 (US)
  • Drama
  • 1h 50m

Dante's Inferno is Alive and Well

Overview

A mental hospital somewhere in Tuscany during the thirties. Far away from fascism, this closed world is rules over by Dr. Bonaccorsi, a passionate benevolent psychiatrist whose dream is to isolate the germ of madness. He is also a very active ladies'man and makes three women benefit from his sexual itch: Francesca the hospital manager's wife, Bianca, his devoted nurse and Carla, a nymphomaniac doctor's wife. His well-ordered universe starts being challenged with the coming of Anna, a trainee psychiatrist, who disapproves of his theory on the origin of madness. Worse, she resists his advances. As Bonaccorsi is more insecure than he looks, what will become of him?

Mauro Bolognini

Director

Mario Tobino

Novel

Tullio Pinelli

Screenplay

Cast

Marcello Mastroianni's headshot

Marcello Mastroianni

Professor Bonaccorsi
Barbara Bouchet's headshot

Barbara Bouchet

Carla
Françoise Fabian's headshot

Françoise Fabian

Anna Bersani
Silvano Tranquilli's headshot

Silvano Tranquilli

professor Rospigliosi
Marthe Keller's headshot

Marthe Keller

Bianca
Lucia Bosè's headshot

Lucia Bosè

Francesca
Pierre Blaise's headshot

Pierre Blaise

Tonio
Adriana Asti's headshot

Adriana Asti

Gianna

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