Ludwig

Infinity Arthouse is delighted to announce the release of the critically acclaimed
masterpiece Ludwig from one of Italian cinema’s most influential post-war directors,
Luchino Visconti. It will available for the first time ever on DVD on 19 June 2006.
Visconti’s 1972 film is a lavish portrait of Ludwig II, the sexually ambiguous ‘Mad
King’ of Bavaria. From his glittering coronation to his mysterious suicide, Ludwig II
(1845-86) was tormented by his unrequited love for his cousin, Empress Elizabeth of
Austria. But as war raged around him, he retreated into a fantasy world, alarming his
ministers through his irrational behaviour, neglect of state affairs and lavish
expenditure castles. Judged unfit to rule, Ludwig was declared insane.

Controversially cut on its release, it is now available in its full four-hour glory.
Ludwig features commanding performances from Helmut Berger (The Damned) as
Ludwig, Trevor Howard (Brief Encounter) as Wagner, Romy Schneider (Maedchen
in Uniform) as Elizabeth and Gert Fröbe (Goldfinger) as Father Hoffman.
Despite being born into the Italian aristocracy, Count Luchino Visconti (1906-76) was
a life-long leftist and anti-Fascist. His first feature was Ossessione (1942) and his
style soon shifted from the neo-realism of Rocco and his Brothers to the deeply
personal style epitomized by Senso, The Leopard, the Academy Award® nominated
The Damned, Death in Venice Conversation Piece and The Innocent.

Extras:
The Perfume of a Primrose: Silvana Mangano
Italian Portraits: Suso Cecchi d’Amic
Documentary on Luchino Visconti directed by Carlo Lizzani
Title: Ludwig
Language: Italian (subtitled)
Release Date: 19 June 2006
RRP: £19.99

‘a majestic work of the imagination’
The Times
Luchino Visconti’s
Ludwig
‘quite an experience’
The Guardian