Eva (1962 film)
Eva, released in the United Kingdom as Eve, is a 1962 Italian-French co-production drama film directed by Joseph Losey and starring Jeanne Moreau, Stanley Baker and Virna Lisi. Its screenplay is adapted from James Hadley Chase's 1945 novel Eve.[1]
| Eva | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph Losey |
| Produced by | Raymond Hakim Robert Hakim |
| Screenplay by | Hugo Butler Evan Jones |
| Based on | Eve by James Hadley Chase |
| Starring | Jeanne Moreau Stanley Baker Virna Lisi |
| Music by | Michel Legrand |
| Cinematography | Gianni Di Venanzo |
| Edited by | Reginald Beck Franca Silvi |
Production company | Paris Film Productions Interopa Film |
| Distributed by | Cineriz (Italy) Gala Film Distributors (UK) Times Film Corporation (US) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 116 minutes |
| Country | France Italy |
| Language | English |
Plot summary
A raw Welsh novelist in Venice is humiliated by a money-loving Frenchwoman who erotically ensnares him.
Cast
- Jeanne Moreau as Eva Olivier
- Virna Lisi as Francesca Ferrari
- Stanley Baker as Tyvian Jones
- James Villiers as Alan McCormick
- Lisa Gastoni as The red-headed Russian
- Riccardo Garrone as Michele
- Checco Rissone as Pieri
- Enzo Fiermonte as Enzo
- Giorgio Albertazzi as Branco Malloni
- Peggy Guggenheim as Baccarat player at casino
- Alexis Revidis as The Greek
Production
It was shot partly on location around Venice. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Richard Macdonald and Luigi Scaccianoce. Losey said he never would have normally chosen to make a film out of Chase's novel "but I made the film mine more than anything I have ever done."[2]
Losey said later the producers made cuts without his permission and the film was a disappointment to him.[3]
Critical reception
The New York Times concluded "Mr. Losey said the producer ruined it by cutting. The rejoinder is: He didn't cut it enough";[4] while in a similarly unfavourable review, Dennis Schwartz opined "The story itself is the film’s main problem, because it is so unsettling and perverse. It never lets in any sunlight";[5] however Derek Winnert noted "Losey’s dark thriller is really rather effective and underrated, and the actors are spot on in tailor-made roles."[6]
References
- Geoffrey Nowell-Smith. Making Waves, Revised and Expanded: New Cinemas of the 1960s. A&C Black, 2013. ISBN 1623566916.
- FILM CRAFT: Joseph Losey talks to Peter Lennon The Guardian (1959-2003); London (UK) [London (UK)]09 July 1962: 5.
- EXPATRIATE RETRACES HIS STEPS: Joseph Losey Changes Direction With His British 'Servant' By EUGENE ARCHER. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]15 Mar 1964: X9.
- Crowther, Bosley (June 5, 1965). "The Screen: Jeanne Moreau as Eva:Romantic Drama Opens at Little Carnegie" – via NYTimes.com.
- "EVA – Dennis Schwartz Reviews".
- "Eva **** (1962, Stanley Baker, Jeanne Moreau, Virna Lisi, James Villiers, Lisa Gastoni) – Classic Movie Review 3999". July 11, 2016.