the witches

An Italian omnibus film produced by Dino De Laurentiis as a showcase for his wife - and former Miss Rome - Silvana Mangano, The Witches (1967), despite its supernatural title, follows the same dramatic formula as better-known '60s anthologies: pairing several exportable directors (De Sica, Visconti, etc) with a variety of short subjects. The scattershot approach is intentional, spreading audience interest between the tragic, comedic, romantic and just plain cinematic. Only in this case, Mangano serves as an anchor for each story, playing a different role in the five separate short films.

Things begin with Luchino Visconti's "The Witch Burned Alive," a slow-to-develop critique of celebrity status and the personal sacrifices necessary to succeed in the film and fashion industry. Gloria (Mangano) attempts to escape her fame at a party hosted at a mountaintop cabin. But even amongst friends she's faced with petty jealousy, vicious comments, and sexual advances that keep her locked in world of her own making. Visconti directs with his usual dramatic flair for costumes and set design, but it's the finale - a dialogue-free montage of Gloria "recreated" for her adoring fans - that makes the biggest impression.

"Civic Sense" is an extended one-joke gag (directed by Mauro Bolognini) that consists of a bystander (Mangano) offering to give an injured man a lift, only to use his delicate condition as an excuse avoid busy rush hour traffic. It's not much more than filler.

"The Earth As Seen From the Moon" is director Pier Paolo Pasolini's comic-book fable starring Italian comedian Toto as a clownish figure searching for a new wife to care for himself and his equally helpless son. Their quest seems to have a happy ending when they meet Absurdity (Mangano), a beautiful deaf mute who agrees to the proposal and takes part in their new get rich quick scheme. Pasolini's use of vibrant colors and absurdist humor often recalls the bizarre alternate reality of Pee Wee's Big Adventure. But the silent star inspired comedy of Toto is certainly an acquired taste. Magano, however is charming in a role that proves she can do a little of everything (which, I'm sure, was the point of the whole affair).

"The Girl from Sicily" is another quick filler piece built around Mangano as a scorned woman whose anger accidently causes the death of everyone involved. Director Franco Rossi stages the action as a well-disguised spoof that's over before it's even begun.

But it's the final entry directed by Vittorio De Sica that garners the most attention, not only for its Fellini-inspired flights of fancy (The Witches used Fellini's regular crew despite the director's absence), but because of Mangano's co-star, the one and only Clint Eastwood. Here he plays the rather obtuse husband to Giovanna (Mangano), his desperate-for-affection wife. Their bland dinner conversation is interrupted by Giovanna's elaborate imaginings, running her unappreciative husband through the ringer and refreshing their tired relationship. It's a odd bit of casting - Eastwood was a huge star in Italy at the time thanks to the Dollars films - that makes for some singularly out-of-character moments: Clint waltzing down an elaborate fashion runway and playfully flirting with his co-star. De Sica's direction is inventive and fun...but also more than a little derivative of Fellini's dreamy approach. It's still the best piece in the bunch.

Arrow Films brings this rare Italian import into the hi-def era, looking very good in both the original Italian release and a shorter English-dubbed version. The Blu-ray also includes another great commentary track from Tim Lucas, who dissects the film from every angle (his story about Eastwood's salary for the film - which included a brand-new Ferrari - is choice stuff).