Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Artivels Undescribable Perfection

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

gridoon2018 "Imperial Venus" has three major problems. The most important one is its lack of narrative thrust; the viewer gets the feeling that nothing is happening for most of the running time. The second is the choppy continuity (despite the film's overlength); large sections of the story (what little story there is) and entire time periods appear to be missing. The third problem is the low budget; virtually all of the battles and any other action scenes occur off the screen - what we do get on the screen is 90% talk. To be fair, Gina Lollobrigida and Stephen Boyd make a handsome couple, but this is not the lighthearted romp you might except based on the plot summary, and Gina is deliberately made to look tired and unhappy at times. *1/2 out of 4.

ricbigi I saw VENERE IMPERIALE when it first came out, in its Italian version, in its full-length, glorious cinematography, and I must say that most reviewers have missed the point in evaluating the film. This is a great epic on the life of a woman legendary for her beauty and love affairs. While many scenes are perhaps too static, resembling scenes from an historical frieze, others have adequate tone, pace and atmosphere, do projecting a real feel for the times and people depicted. I never thought the film was overlong when I saw it, but it is obvious it could have used better editing, a faster pace in some places. Nothing wrong with the art direction and the use of location for the external scenes. If anything, I would have entrusted the screenplay to Jacques Prévert and Jean Aurenche, who did such an outstanding job in NOTRE DAME DE Paris, instead of using five writers as Delannoy did. Too many people, perhaps too many hands involved. Delannoy loved Gina Lollobrigida, and directed her well. I never understood the negative criticisms directed at Lollobrigida as an actress. Those who pan her performance in this film should have a good look at Sophia Loren's in MADAME SANS-GÊNE. That's mediocrity for you. Gina at least was beautiful to look at, and possessed true star quality. One regret, though: why use Micheline Presle so sparingly? She was so wonderful a presence and deserved far more screen time than was given here.

kosmasp I saw this movie in a German dubbed version, so I can't judge the "original" version (if there was an original soundtrack to the movie, it's more likely that this has been filmed, like the Leone Westerns, where every actor spoke in his native language)! But I did like the German version ...As is obvious from my rating against the "beating" it got before my rating. Now I think most of the reviewers can agree, that the actors did a good job. I also have to agree with the fact, that nothing explicit is shown here (neither sexual nor anything else), but is played with. But the sexual innuendos that are used here, are really great. At least I could enjoy them. Since back then, they couldn't be more free with "topics" like that, I'm even surprised they got away with some of the things in the script. Anyway, the movie has it's downfalls, but I rated the high points (jokes and actors against an incoherent story)!

drystyx The correlations between this movie and "Queen Margot" are unmistakable. Yet these are different historic episodes with related themes. The royal princess figure who makes sexual conquests and in the thick of it all, remains faithful to virtues outside the bedroom. This film skips over the exciting parts, focusing on bedroom scenes and non action sequences. The action sequences are merely explained, or brought into being without being shown. For instance, the battle scenes are never shown, but the death and destruction that follows is filmed. There are a few shots of carnage after the battle is over. This does make for some boring cinema, but directors want to keep under budget, and battle scenes are costly. However, the action could easily have been implied in a more passionate way, and more carnage scenes would have helped move the movie along. Napoleon's sister, who is the "Imperial Venus" here, is a reasonably likable character, and lets not forget how beautiful the legendary actress is, so she does bear watching. The affairs are usually with handsome men, which makes it hard to relate to with sexually active American women of today, who instead prefer homelier guys they think they can use and have power over. Still, it is amusing to see Stephen Boyd's smirkish face as he romps through this film. All the actors do a fine job, which is all that keeps this film from severe boredom. Not an exciting movie, but there are a variety of characters well portrayed. Could be a movie to watch with a romantic interest.