TCM is showing the 1966 Italian version of THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (L'UOMO CHE RIDE) on March 29 at 6:15 PM ET.
I have never heard of this version and there's not a lot of info out there on this film, but the Wikipedias offers this less than glowing review:
A 1966 French-Italian film version made in Italy, titled L'uomo che ride, directed by Sergio Corbucci. This version features elaborate colour photography but a very low production budget. The main action is shifted to Italy and moved yesterwards in time, with the deformed protagonist meeting Lucrezia Borgia instead of Queen Anne. In this version, Gwynplaine is renamed Angelo (played by Jean Sorel). His disfigurement is represented as a single broad slash across his mouth, crude yet convincing. Less convincing are some plot twists, with Dea (actress Lina Sini) miraculously acquiring eyesight, and Angelo undergoing surgery that completely reverses his disfigurement and renders him perfectly handsome.
And this page offers some photos.
Of course, Hugo's Gwynplaine is about as horrific as Quasimodo but thanks to frequent appearances in FM he's considered one of the gang by most Monster Fans of a certain age.
'Yesterwards' is my word of the day.
I have never heard of this version and there's not a lot of info out there on this film, but the Wikipedias offers this less than glowing review:
A 1966 French-Italian film version made in Italy, titled L'uomo che ride, directed by Sergio Corbucci. This version features elaborate colour photography but a very low production budget. The main action is shifted to Italy and moved yesterwards in time, with the deformed protagonist meeting Lucrezia Borgia instead of Queen Anne. In this version, Gwynplaine is renamed Angelo (played by Jean Sorel). His disfigurement is represented as a single broad slash across his mouth, crude yet convincing. Less convincing are some plot twists, with Dea (actress Lina Sini) miraculously acquiring eyesight, and Angelo undergoing surgery that completely reverses his disfigurement and renders him perfectly handsome.
And this page offers some photos.
Of course, Hugo's Gwynplaine is about as horrific as Quasimodo but thanks to frequent appearances in FM he's considered one of the gang by most Monster Fans of a certain age.
'Yesterwards' is my word of the day.
