Ogunquit Performing Arts

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 1608
Ogunquit, ME 03907

Performance Venue

The S. Judson Dunaway Center
23 School St.
Ogunquit ME 

SEASON TICKETS

ON SALE NOW

STAY INFORMED

Join our Email List

Ogunquit Performing Arts

Performance Venue

The S. Judson Dunaway Center
23 School St.
Ogunquit ME 03907

MENU

Classic Film Series: The Priest’s Wife

Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni star in this farcical drama.

The Priest’s Wife, released in 1971, stars Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni in this Italian/French  farce/satire/drama, also features Venantino Venantini.

Upon discovering that her lover of 4 years was married with children during the entire time of their relationship, a suicidal Rock’n’Roll singer (Loren) reaches out to a help line, staffed by a priest (Mastroianni) whose kindness saves her. She falls in love with him, and he succumbs to her charms, setting her up as his mistress. The film offers a peek inside the life of the priesthood, as the priest struggles between the seduction of a woman he loves, and the seduction by the Church and its power. He accepts a promotion from priest to a Monsignor in Rome, giving up Loren, much as her former lover had done returning to his marriage and family. The director intimates that when it comes to the treatment of a by women, there is not a lot of difference between a priest and rock’n’roll stars.

Directed by Dino Risi, the screenplay was based on a story by Risi. Although declared a “flop” both critically and at the box office, redeeming features include the car demolition scene in the film’s introduction displaying fantastic stunt driving, and the luminosity of Loren’s beauty and portrayal of a woman betrayed by love.