Released in the US by 20th Century-Fox, Boccaccio '70 is a compendium of short subjects directed by three of Italy's top filmmakers. Each story is written in the style of the famed Italian essayist Boccaccio, albeit told in contemporary terms. First up is "The Raffle", written by
Cesare Zavattini and directed by
Vittorio De Sica:
Sophia Loren (wife of Boccaccio '70 producer
Carlo Ponti) plays the sexy operator of a shooting gallery, who offers herself as first prize to the best shot. In "The Job", written by
Suso Cecchi D'Amico and directed by
Luchino Visconti,
Romy Schneider carries a torch for her philandering boss
Tomas Milian. The final segment is "The Temptation of Dr. Antonio", directed by
Federico Fellini and scripted by Fellini,
Ennio Flaiano and
Tullio Pinelli; in this one,
Anita Ekberg is an image on a poster who comes to life for the benefit of a drooling middle-aged professor (Peppino De Filippo). A fourth episode, "Renzo and Luciana", directed by
Mario Monicelli, was cut from U.S. release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide