Galileo (film)
Encyclopedia
Galileo is a 1975
film version of the Bertolt Brecht
play The Life of Galileo. The film was produced and released as part of the American Film Theatre
, which adapted theatrical works for a subscription-driven cinema series.
is a mathematics professor in Padua, Italy. While his salary is inadequate, he possesses the freedom to pursue controversial scientific studies under the protection of the Venetian republic. Part of his work involves the use of a telescope
, a relatively new scientific instrument brought from the Netherlands
. Using the telescope, Galileo seeks to test the theories put forth by Nicolaus Copernicus
that place the sun – and not the Earth – at the center of universe. As his research progress, Galileo accepts a more prestigious academic position in Florence, Italy. But his new position does not come with the government protection he enjoyed in Venice, and his friends in the higher echelons of the Roman Catholic Church
refuse to come to his aid when he is summoned before the Inquisition
.
, the director of the film, also directed the first U.S. theatrical production of Galileo in 1947. In his cinematic adaptation, Losey maintained several theatrical concepts that appeared in the theatrical version, including the use of a chorus of young boys who advance parts of the plot and the staging of Galileo’s recantation against a shadow-filled white screen. Losey’s opening shot, an overhead view of the film sound stage, also calls attention to the theatricality of the production.
as Galileo. Vincent Canby
, writing in the New York Times, complained: “There is one problem with the film, and it is a major one; the casting of Topol in the title role…although he's a big man he imparts no sense of intellectual heft.” Roger Ebert
, writing in the Chicago Sun-Times
, echoed the sentiment by noting: “The film's biggest weakness is the inexplicable casting of the Israel
i actor Topol as Galileo. He acts in a fundamentally different tone from the other cast members, who are largely British and generally more capable.” Jay Cocks, reviewing the film for Time, added: “Topol misses the role's strength, both in character and intellect. Most of the actors around him, however, are superb: John Gielgud
, Margaret Leighton, Edward Fox
, Patrick Magee
, John McEnery.”
The film was shown at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival
, but wasn't entered into the main competition.
1975 in film
The year 1975 in film involved some significant events, with Steven Spielberg's thriller Jaws topping the box office.-Events:*March 26 - The film version of The Who's Tommy premieres in London....
film version of the Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
play The Life of Galileo. The film was produced and released as part of the American Film Theatre
American Film Theatre
The American Film Theatre was a limited run series of film adaptations of stage plays, produced by Ely Landau. Two seasons were produced from 1973 to 1975...
, which adapted theatrical works for a subscription-driven cinema series.
Plot
In 1609, Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei , was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations and support for Copernicanism...
is a mathematics professor in Padua, Italy. While his salary is inadequate, he possesses the freedom to pursue controversial scientific studies under the protection of the Venetian republic. Part of his work involves the use of a telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
, a relatively new scientific instrument brought from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Using the telescope, Galileo seeks to test the theories put forth by Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe....
that place the sun – and not the Earth – at the center of universe. As his research progress, Galileo accepts a more prestigious academic position in Florence, Italy. But his new position does not come with the government protection he enjoyed in Venice, and his friends in the higher echelons of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
refuse to come to his aid when he is summoned before the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
.
Production
Joseph LoseyJoseph Losey
Joseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
, the director of the film, also directed the first U.S. theatrical production of Galileo in 1947. In his cinematic adaptation, Losey maintained several theatrical concepts that appeared in the theatrical version, including the use of a chorus of young boys who advance parts of the plot and the staging of Galileo’s recantation against a shadow-filled white screen. Losey’s opening shot, an overhead view of the film sound stage, also calls attention to the theatricality of the production.
Release
Galileo was the initial offering of the American Film Theatre’s second season. At the time of the release, most critics reacted negatively to the performance by TopolChaim Topol
Chaim Topol , often billed simply as Topol, is an Israeli theatrical and film performer, actor, writer and producer. He has been nominated for an Oscar and Tony Award, and has won two Golden Globes.-Early life:...
as Galileo. Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby was an American film critic who became the chief film critic for The New York Times in 1969 and reviewed more than 1000 films during his tenure there.-Life and career:...
, writing in the New York Times, complained: “There is one problem with the film, and it is a major one; the casting of Topol in the title role…although he's a big man he imparts no sense of intellectual heft.” Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
, writing in the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
, echoed the sentiment by noting: “The film's biggest weakness is the inexplicable casting of the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i actor Topol as Galileo. He acts in a fundamentally different tone from the other cast members, who are largely British and generally more capable.” Jay Cocks, reviewing the film for Time, added: “Topol misses the role's strength, both in character and intellect. Most of the actors around him, however, are superb: John Gielgud
John Gielgud
Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH was an English actor, director, and producer. A descendant of the renowned Terry acting family, he achieved early international acclaim for his youthful, emotionally expressive Hamlet which broke box office records on Broadway in 1937...
, Margaret Leighton, Edward Fox
Edward Fox (actor)
Edward Charles Morice Fox, OBE is an English stage, film and television actor.He is generally associated with portraying the role of the upper-class Englishman, such as the title character in the film The Day of the Jackal and King Edward VIII in the serial Edward & Mrs...
, Patrick Magee
Patrick Magee (actor)
Patrick Magee was a Northern Irish actor best known for his collaborations with Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter, as well as his appearances in horror films and in Stanley Kubrick's films A Clockwork Orange and Barry Lyndon.-Early life:He was born Patrick McGee in Armagh, County Armagh, Northern...
, John McEnery.”
The film was shown at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival
1975 Cannes Film Festival
- Jury :*Jeanne Moreau, President, actress*André Delvaux, director*Anthony Burgess, writer*Fernando Rey, actor*George Roy Hill, director*Gérard Ducaux-Rupp, producer*Léa Massari, actress*Pierre Mazars, journalist*Pierre Salinger, writer...
, but wasn't entered into the main competition.