Toby Dammit

Toby Dammit is without a doubt a departure from your typical Fellini film. Other than it is taking place in a surreal Italian landscape and including multiple Fellini esq characters, the movie is more of a dream that a straightforward narrative. A 44-minute short at best, Toby Dammit was originally part of a 3-in-1 story titled: Spirits of the Dead, with directed segments from Roger Vadim and Louis Malle. Based loosely on Edgar Allen Poe's: Never Bet the Devil Your Head: A Moral Tale, Fellini tells the story of a Shakespearean Actor, portrayed brilliantly by Terence Stamp in a visual romp. Both the character of Toby Dammit along with the setting of a dream-like / nightmare Roma are memorizing if not downright frightening. Poe's short story, published in 1841, was a satirical take that pokes fun at the notion that all literature should have a moral. It's easy to conclude that the moral is to never lose your head, no matter what the scenario may be. Rather to remain blunt in the tale's plot and conclusion, it is hard not to see several images and depiction of Christ along the way of Toby's journey through purgatory.

It is easy to suggest that Toby is already dead at the beginning of the story. From his arrival in Rome, the airport terminal plays out to the audience like this is already a repeated theme like the characters has been going in circles from some time now. His constant torment by fans, the press and the industry that has made him famous, all appear to be torturing him as he tortures himself as well.

Religious themes and characters pop up from time to time. A Catholic Priest appears to warm him on his journey, a donkey appears in the headlights of his Ferrari. Before leaving the airport Toby somewhat mocks Christ by making the sign of the cross while indulging in yoga to calm his nerves.

While the Devil appears to him as a little girl, Toby struggles in his journey as both a Christ like and Devil image throughout his visit.

While this movie can be interrupted several ways, at the very least, it is not solely about an Actor going to Rome for a business trip. Much more, Toby Dammit is taking a very long-winded trip where he is unable to leave nor escape the reality in which he has created for himself.

As for the moral of the tale, I believe Fellini's intentions was to post that question to his audience for them to answer it for themselves.