The complex personality of Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798) has inspired numerous films. Most of them have reduced the life of the Italian writer and diplomat to one of tireless romance and seduction. Such is the case with Poslední růže od Casanovy (The Last Rose from Casanova, 1966), a nostalgic romantic comedy directed by Václav Krška. The story finds the legendary lady-killer in something like retirement, having found a refuge as a librarian at the Wallenstein’s Duchcov Chateau. This bored man of the world is soon to be revivified by the beautiful Valerie who visits the chateau with her husband to see the famous Casanova in the flesh. At first, the young noblewoman is disappointed by Casanova’s old-fashioned view of romance. She advocates true passion devoid of romantic trivialities. But after a rather unusual bet is struck she begins to succumb to the old seducer´s charm… This playful story showcases the acting talents of Felix le Breux in the title role alongside Milena Dvorská as Valerie.
The legendary seducer of women Giacomo Casanova is spending the final years of his life at Count Wallenstein's Dux castle, where he has been given the post of the librarian. He is somewhat peevish and the writing of his memoirs and playing cards with the Count are the only things that bring him comfort. One day the Count receives a visit from his nephew Francis Adam with his attractive wife Valerie. Valerie is disappointed with the legendary Casanova. She sees an old man wearing an old-fashioned outfit and finds him laughable; she also finds that his views of love are outdated. Casanova claims that woman's love can be won by refined gallantry and Valerie favours pure emotion. She makes a secret wager with her husband that she will charm Casanova. Casanova makes the same bet with the Count. During a winter canter, Valerie slowly yields to Casanova's advances and Francis becomes jealous. In the evening, the young couple has a fight. The experienced Casanova intervenes. He sends Valerie a rose in Francis' name and dictates a love letter for Valerie to the young man. At the ball, Valerie is reconciled with her husband. The trick with the letter is exposed but Valerie forgives Francis; after all, he has given her the rose. Francis is practical and doesn't admit the truth; instead, he allows his wife to believe that Casanova's gallant gesture is his own.
Giacomo Casanova de Sengal
hrabě Josef Karel Valdštejn
hrabě František Adam Valdštejn, synovec
Valerie, žena Františka Adama Valdštejna
lékař O'Reilly
hraběnka Maternová z Hrádku
hraběnka Kounicová
komorná Markéta
komorník Václav
sluha Matyáš
Nelly
Terezka
Marcelina
Henrietta
Esther
jeptiška
paní z Bíliny
Casanova jako mladý
paní z Jezeří
Vincek
opat z Oseka
služka
hodnostář
mládenec
sluha Tomáš
taneční mistr
švihák
kavalír
paní nadlesní
hospodská Markýtka
tanečnice
tanečnice
tanečnice
tanečnice
tanečnice
tanečník
tanečník
tanečník
tanečník
tanečník
generál Bronický
matka představená
šermíř
šermíř
šermíř
voják-šermíř
voják-šermíř
služka
hudebník
hudebník
hostinský
nadlesní
muž
muž
Casanova ve středním věku
hraběnka Kounicová mladší
kuchařka
voják
voják
generál
žena regenschoriho
správcová
dubl za Miloše Zavadila – šerm
herečka
mládenec
Jaroslav Kupšík
Antonín Vojáček
Karel Kočí, Bohuslav Varhaník, Jaroslava Vilímková
Jan Syrový, Dana Dudová
Zora Rumlová
Luďka Žáková (klapka), Alena Červená (fotografka)
FISYO (Music Conducted by František Belfín), Dvořákovo kvarteto
Balet Národního divadla Praha
Singer Felix le Breux
Poslední růže od Casanovy
Poslední růže od Casanovy
The Last Rose from Casanova
film
featuretheatrical distribution
comedy
Czechoslovakia
1966
1965—1966
literary Screenplay approved 8 June 1965
technical Screenplay approved 4 October 1965
start of filming 8 November 1965
end of filming 4 March 1966
projection approval 11 May 1966
withdrawal from distribution 31 July 1976
premiere 27 June 1966 /unsuitable for youths/ (kino Blaník /4½ týdne/, Praha)
premiere 5 August 1966 /unsuitable for youths/ (celostátní)
Tvůrčí skupina Feix – Brož, Miloš Brož (vedoucí dramaturg tvůrčí skupiny), Karel Feix (vedoucí výroby tvůrčí skupiny)
feature film
91 min
2 602 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,66, 1:2,35
black & white
sound
mono
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech
Event: 4. soutěž o hudební dílo vytvořené pro film v roce 1966
1967
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Václav Trojan