Director: Antonio Pietrangeli
Screenplay: Diego Fabbri, Ruggero Maccari
Starring: Ugo Tognazzi, Claudia Cardinale, Bernard Blier, Michèle Girardon
Country: Italy
Running Time: 124 mins
Year: 1964
The Magnificent Cuckold (1964) is a dark psychological comedy about a foolish husband who sows his own misfortune by becoming convinced and increasingly obsessed by the thought his wife is unfaithful. It explores male-pride and male-ego, homing in on the specific fear of being ridicule that’s tied to male honour.
Radiance has released the film on Bluray, in 1080p, with a 4K restoration from the original camera negative. The work was carried out by the Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Compass Film and Studio Cine.
The black and white picture looks crystal clear and. The cinematography is striking. The wide screen ratio gives way to sweeping dynamic camera angles that provide for seamless transitions as the characters often joust with dialogue when the film gives way to the society-comedy aspects of the narrative. The cinematographer also gives dream sequences a gothic mystical quality in dream sequences, similar to the style of Mario Bava.
The film has been presented with an uncompressed mono PCM audio. The score plays a major role in the atmosphere and tone of the movie. It opens with an upbeat jazzy song all about love and anxiety as the lead character Andrea (Ugo Tognazzi) travels through the town. Jazz-inspired and parody style music also enhances various dream sequences, where the Andrea imagines his wife Maria Grazia , played by the exquisite Claudia Cardinale.
Radiance described the plot, as follows: “A happily married businessman (Ugo Tognazzi, Weak Spot) succumbs to the advances of one of his less square, more open-minded female friends. His eyes now open to the rampant adultery among his high-society acquaintances, he is amazed at the ease with which they lie to their loved ones. Soon, he begins to suspect his loving wife (Claudia Cardinale, Girl with a Suitcase) of infidelity – even as she guesses nothing of his own extramarital affair.”
Antonio Pietrangeli’s direction is masterful. The interactions feel authentic and lifelike while retaining a fast-paced zip that keeps the film compelling. Tognazzi is an endearing lead – while the film isn’t sympathetic to his plight, the character remains endlessly amusing as he becomes more paranoid and agitated. Cardinale has a magnificent presence, playing the role of the angelic wife. Perfectly cast, she was regarded as one of the world’s greatest beauties.
The film has such style; at times it feels reminiscent of La Notte (1961). It also seems to share the same DNA as Divorce Italian Style (1961) but feels a more grounded representation of male and female tensions.
Film:
Special Features
New interview with Italian film expert Richard Dyer (2026, 43 mins): Dyer makes his points very clearly and it’s an illuminating listen. He speaks about the reception of the film, why it has been “forgotten” over time, how it reflected the changing social values, the role music plays in the movie and analysis of key sequences.
New visual essay by Italian cinema professor Rémi Fournier Lanzoni (2026, 18 mins): Lanzoni provides fantastic analysis of the movie and key sequences. He explores the role of male and female tensions in the film, exploring female agency and male pride.
Colour sequence (2 mins): Colour sequence of the film, added after the director’s death in re-releases. Simply distracting to the particular scene.
Extras:
Radiance will release The Magnificent Cuckold on Bluray on 17th August, 2026.