The Damned
(La Caduta degli dei)
(Götterdämmerung)
(a.k.a. "Die Verdammten")

West Germany-Italy (1969): Drama/War

This was director Luchino Visconti's most explosively controversial film to date. Set in the 1930s, the film zeroes in on a Krupp-like family of German munition manufacturers. Ever in pursuit of more millions to add to their already bulging coffers, the family plays along with the Nazis, descending into corruption, betrayal and murder all along the way. The cast features Dirk Bogarde, Ingrid Thulin, Helmut Griem, Helmut Berger and Charlotte Rampling. The stylized decadence depicted by Visconti was of such graphic intensity that the film was released in the U.S. with an X rating. Incredibly, the film was picked up for telecasting by the CBS network; so many cuts were necessitated that industry wise-guys quipped that the film would be retitled "The Darned". And while we're on the subject of titles, we note here that The Damned was called Götterdämmerung ("the Twilight of the Gods") in Germany -- a far more meaningful title in the light of its "how the mighty have fallen" throughline. (Eichberg, Praesidens-Pegaso / Warner Bros.) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

· Writing (Story and Screenplay based on material not previously published or produced) 1969: Nicola Badalucco, Enrico Medioli, Luchino Visconti

1 nomination