"Ludwig"
1972
Directed by Luchino Visconti

Luchino Visconti's legendary epic of (mad) King Ludwig of Bavaria. Visconti focuses on Ludwig's fears and fantasies and his relationship with composer Richard Wagner to create a portrait of a "homosexual recluse whose passions are opera, fairy-tale castles, and exquisite young men. Nothing is more sumptuous than Helmut Berger's performance in the lead, the brooding mad scenes, the deliberately contrived hysterical outbursts" (Tony Rayns). With Romy Schneider, Trevor Howard and Silvana Mangano. Italian with English subtitles.  231 minutes.