Down the Ancient Stairs (1975)

Drama

A mental hospital somewhere in Tuscany during the thirties. Far away from fascism, this closed world is rules over by Dr. Bonaccorsi, a passionate benevolent psychiatrist whose dream is to isolate the germ of madness. He is also a very active ladies'man and makes three women benefit from his sexual itch: Francesca the hospital manager's wife, Bianca, his devoted nurse and Carla, a nymphomaniac doctor's wife. His well-ordered universe starts being challenged with the coming of Anna, a trainee psychiatrist, who disapproves of his theory on the origin of madness. Worse, she resists his advances. As Bonaccorsi is more insecure than he looks, what will become of him?

Cast

Professor Bonaccorsi
il pazzo scrittore
gerarca fascista in treno
Asylum Patient (uncredited)
Anna Bersani
professor Rospigliosi
Francesca
la pazza aggressiva
dottor Sfameni

Crew

Screenplay
Original Music Composer
Director of Photography
Costume Design