British label Eureka Entertainment will release on Blu-ray director Luchino Visconti's film Conversation Piece (1974), starring Burt Lancaster, Helmut Berger, Silvana Mangano, Claudia Cardinale, and Dominique Sanda. The release will be available for purchase on August 15.
Synopsis: Eleven years after The Leopard, the revered Italian maestro Luchino Visconti reteamed with the iconic Burt Lancaster on the lavish Conversation Piece [Gruppo di famiglia in un interno].
A retired American professor (Lancaster) lives a solitary and luxurious life in a house in Rome. His world takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to rent part of his house to a countess and her companions: a lover, a daughter and the daughter's boyfriend. Forced into interaction with the unruly younger group, the professor's growing fascination begins to stir the possibilities of a life he had previously kept at arm's length.
A sumptuous, grandly enjoyable chamber drama with a wry sense of humour, Conversation Piece features an international ensemble cast including Helmut Berger, Silvana Mangano and Stefano Patrizi (with uncredited cameos by Claudia Cardinale and Dominique Sanda).
Special Features:
NEW 2K restoration
Features both the original English language soundtrack and the Italian dub track that was produced at the same time
Optional English SDH (for the English track) and optional English subtitles for the Italian track
Interview with critic and screenwriter Alessandro Bencivenni
Trailer
PLUS: Booklet featuring a new essay by Pasquale Iannone; and vintage writing on the film.