The Most Beautiful Wife

"We're not on Earth to be happy, Francesca!"

Damiano Damiani's The Most Beautiful Wife (1971) seems curiously topical. Commendable in its tasteful presentation of sensational material, it mirrors debates on gender politics and rape culture we'll still having a half-century later.

Fourteen year old Francesca Cimarosa (Ornella Muti) gains the attention of Vito Juvara (Alessio Orano), nephew of a Sicilian Mafioso (Amerigo Tot). When Francesca rebuffs Vito's advances, Vito rapes Francesca. Then he tries to force her into marriage, a traditional customer that will redeem her honor. ...