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Down the Ancient Stairs

Original title: Per le antiche scale
  • 1975
  • R
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
445
YOUR RATING
Marcello Mastroianni, Barbara Bouchet, and Françoise Fabian in Down the Ancient Stairs (1975)
Drama

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 i... Read allA 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 bene... Read allA 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... Read all

  • Director
    • Mauro Bolognini
  • Writers
    • Mario Tobino
    • Bernardino Zapponi
    • Raffaele Andreassi
  • Stars
    • Marcello Mastroianni
    • Françoise Fabian
    • Marthe Keller
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    445
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mauro Bolognini
    • Writers
      • Mario Tobino
      • Bernardino Zapponi
      • Raffaele Andreassi
    • Stars
      • Marcello Mastroianni
      • Françoise Fabian
      • Marthe Keller
    • 2User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos14

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    Top cast26

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    Marcello Mastroianni
    Marcello Mastroianni
    • Professor Bonaccorsi
    Françoise Fabian
    Françoise Fabian
    • Anna Bersani
    Marthe Keller
    Marthe Keller
    • Bianca
    Barbara Bouchet
    Barbara Bouchet
    • Carla
    Pierre Blaise
    Pierre Blaise
    • Tonio
    Lucia Bosè
    Lucia Bosè
    • Francesca
    • (as Lucia Bosé)
    Maria Michi
    Maria Michi
    • Folle aggressiva
    Paolo Pacino
    Silvano Tranquilli
    Silvano Tranquilli
    • Professor Rospigliosi
    Charles Fawcett
    • Dottor Sfameni
    Enzo Robutti
    Enzo Robutti
    • Folle poeta
    Ferruccio De Ceresa
    • Gerarca fascista sul treno
    Maria Teresa Albani
    Adriana Asti
    Adriana Asti
    • Gianna
    Paola Corazzi
    Paola Corazzi
    Alessandra Cardini
    Benedetta Valabrega
    Clara Algranti
    • Director
      • Mauro Bolognini
    • Writers
      • Mario Tobino
      • Bernardino Zapponi
      • Raffaele Andreassi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    6.7445
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    Featured reviews

    ItalianGerry

    Blurb.

    DOWN THE ANCIENT STAIRS has Marcello Mastroianni playing the head doctor in an insane asylum of fascist Italy of the thirties. Director Bolognini probably intended the hospital to represent a microcosm of the Italy of the times. The doctor is working on the theory that schizophrenia is caused by a physical virus that can be isolated and treated. This controversial film examines the repressive mechanisms common to fascism and institutional psychiatry. The doctor is loved by three women and has simultaneous affairs with a nurse, a nymphomaniac, and the hospital director's wife. Although somewhat sensationalized, this film was made by a director of some renown, Mauro Bolognini, who gave us gems like BELL'ANTONIO (also with Mastroianni), LA GRANDE BOURGEOISE, METELLO, AGOSTINO, and LA VIACCIA.

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    FAQ14

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • November 6, 1975 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • France
    • Language
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Locura erótica
    • Filming locations
      • De Paolis/INCIR Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Italian International Film
      • Les Productions Fox Europa
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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