It is a performances centric movie

How sad is this?

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Getting close to 1,500 reviews,I started to decide what film to view that stars the ravishingly beautiful Michelle Mercier. While looking for info on Mario Bava's Danger Diabolik,I found out that Giallo queen (and Diabolik star) Marisa Mell appeared in Mercier movie! Which led to me counting the 70 Casanova's.The plot:Caught staging a fake break-in after telling his girlfriend he had to go to a NATO meeting, Il maggiore Andrea Rossi-Colombotti is told by his girlfriend Noelle that he is impotent,and only way he can get excited is by staging fake events where his life is at risk. Going to a therapist, Colombotti uncovers his Casanova lust for danger. Trying to hold back,Colombotti finds the eyes of new ladies too tough to resist. View on the film:Opening with animated credits, co-writer/(with Agenore Incrocci/Furio Scarpelli/ Tonino Guerra/Giorgio Salvioni and Suso Cecchi D'Amico) director Mario Monicelli & cinematographer Aldo Tonti give this "70" Casanova gallons of 60's chic,with each of Colombotti's brief encounters taking place against a plush 60's backdrop of bright primary colours giving the movie a fluffy atmosphere. Displaying some skin of his leading ladies, Monicelli gives the tales a friendly, cheeky mood,as extended sight-gags bounce around with cartoon sound effects.Whilst not an "official" anthology title,the writers stray very close to the format,from the mix of each meeting/story Colombotti has with a woman varying from 15 minutes,to in one case under two minutes,and Colombotti's attempts to runaway becoming increasingly peculiar. Leaving no time to give the characters the smallest hint of depth over 110 minutes, the writers make everyone so fleeting that the situation-led jokes dry up before they hit their punchlines,due to their being minimal relationships built with their Casanova.Unintentionally sending Colombotti on his adventures, Michèle Mercier gives a glamorous performance as Noelle,which stands out thanks to Mercier giving Noelle an awareness of Colombotti's games. Linking each "story" Marcello Mastroianni rids the grating aspects of Colombotti's "troubles" with layers of charm that entices the ladies and the viewer,as Casanova gets to 70.

One-joke premise (Mastroianni can't get aroused sexually unless there is the element of danger involved - that's literally ALL the story is about) is slickly carried out, with location filming around Europe, a jaunty music score, and a parade of luscious 1960s beauties (there is a certain mystique about women on film during that decade that has yet to be recaptured, and probably never will), but the film is too long and not terribly funny, or sexy for that matter. Yet it does feel very "60s", so fans of that cinematic decade will probably enjoy it more than the general population. Warning to Margaret Lee followers: don't be fooled by her being on the Region 2 DVD cover, her role is under a minute long! ** out of 4.

"Casanova '70" is a colourful movie directed by Mario Monicelli, one of the Italian comedy masters. The film follows the sexual adventures of Andrea (Marcello Mastroianni), a handsome "Casanova" who thinks being impotent, in reality he only needs danger for being excited and conquer women...The film is a product of its time (we clearly see that we're in 1965!), but it's funny and teases the myth of Italian "macho". The merit of the picture is talking about sex without being vulgar. Mastroianni shows a comical approach and is at ease, also the rest of the cast enjoy (we see, among others, gorgeous women like Virna Lisi, Michèle Mercier and Marisa Mell...). In a role -Mell's husband- we find Italian director Marco Ferreri, famous for "outrageous" movies like "La grande bouffe", "Tales of ordinary madness", "Bye bye Monkey" and long time friend of Marcello Mastroianni.Once more, when we see such films we miss an extremely vivacious Italian cinema which doesn't exist any more.

Mastrioanni is at his best. He cannot have sex unless there is danger to his life.Best scene is when a Sicilian family [owners of a restaurant where he is having lunch alone] drags a young girl to her bedroom and locks her up.Her husband of one hour has exclaimed that he wants nothing to do with her because she in not pure.Mastroianni explains to the Sicilians that he is a medical doctor and would be very happy to examine her and determine whether or not she is pure.He goes into her room and closes the door. Two hours later he emerges all sweaty, bug-eyed and shaking.He exclaims "she is pure." At about this time the real doctor arrives and the chase is on.This picture is so funny.It is as if Mastroianni is the whole Marx brothers family rolled up into one person.I really believe Mastroianni was always at his best in comedy.Especially sexual comedy, Italian style.It is a shame this film is no longer available. Someone should bring it back. It is a classic.