Fellini"s vision of the life of Casanova (played by Donald Sutherland) has little to do with historical fact: he uses an episodic structure to ridicule his many sexual encounters and show just how meaningless such prowess is. Casanova drifts through a debauched world turning in on itself, away from learning and feeling, to a cold emptiness that is vividly allied to images of mechanisms. Thematically and ideologically the film is limited, it reflects the hollowness of its protagonist, but it is so full of amazing, surreal and detailed design that the imagery is hard to dispel afterwards. It may not be one of Fellini"s greatest films, but Casanova is richly textured and not to be dismissed; a potent fantasy rarely found in cinema, perhaps most akin in treatment to the director"s Satyricon.
This release is a double DVD, one disc for the film, one for extras. The print seems to be a good quality, the colours are quite strong but the contrast loses some detail and artefacting from the transfer is present throughout (the blocking in of the picture, most obvious in large areas of colour). These faults do take the edge off the experience, which, for something as detailed as a Fellini film, should be crisp and clear. Nevertheless, still very watchable. There are three language dubs on offer and optional English subtitles. This version of the film is, I think, the one most seen in cinemas but I am given to believe there are an extra 20 minutes of material Fellini intended for the film that are not present here. The extras are interesting, but not entirely necessary: an interview with Donald Sutherland gives some good background and context to the making of and the director"s intentions, albeit in a maudlin vein of humour, and the Fellini documentary gives a free-form overview of his career, most interesting to me for the glimpses of the films I haven"t yet been able to see. Interviews are from all over the place, and Fellini as a person doesn't necessarily come out of it that well, but then that seems add to the creative aura around him. There is also a picture gallery of posters, production stills etc.
Overall: a thoroughly worthwhile film from a brilliant filmmaker, although it may prove more inaccessible to those unfamiliar with Fellini"s concerns and style - it should especially be of interest to fans of his later work. The transfer is acceptable but not brilliant, a definitive version would have improved picture quality and might dig up those missing 20 mins, but for a reasonable price this is well worth exploring.