The Marquise of O 1976

In the quaint taverns of 19th century northern Italy, two patrons stumble upon an extraordinary announcement in a newspaper - a declaration from the enigmatic Marquise of O, widow and expectant mother, calling out to the father of her unborn child. The news sends shockwaves through the gathering, as the Marquise’s esteemed family background and her father’s influential role as Colonel in charge of the citadel are well-known.

As fate would have it, the very next scene finds the Marquise’s father’s stronghold under siege by Russian forces during the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars. Amidst the chaos, the Marquise herself is on the brink of being violated by a group of soldiers when her life is spared by the commander of the attack, Count (character), who promptly reunites her with her daughters and has her tended to. Her loyal maid orders a soothing brew of poppy seed tea to ease her troubled slumber.

Following this harrowing ordeal, the Marquise’s father, the Colonel, is forced to surrender to the invading forces. When the Marquise awakens from her ordeal, she is desperate to express her gratitude to Count for his bravery in saving her life. However, by the time she is well enough to do so, he has already fallen in battle due to a chest wound.

This stunning turn of events leaves the Marquise reeling and beset with strange symptoms, which she attributes to the trauma of her earlier assault, although they eerily mirror the sensations she’s experiencing as her pregnancy progresses. As the weight of these unsettling circumstances settles upon her, the Marquise is left to grapple with a sense of disorientation and unrequited gratitude, forever changed by the count’s selfless act of valor in the face of war and uncertainty.

The rumors of the Count’s demise prove to be grossly exaggerated as he unexpectedly materializes at the family residence, his eyes fixed intently on securing the Marquise’s hand in marriage. Though initially hesitant, the Marquise and her family are compelled to deliberate on this unexpected proposal, their reservations stemming from the fact that she had previously vowed not to remarry after the passing of her husband. The Count, however, is adamant about receiving a prompt answer, citing his impending departure for Naples as reason enough to warrant haste.

As he becomes an unwelcome but uninvited guest at the family table, the Colonel’s ire is piqued by the Count’s decision to linger in their midst, forsaking his post in Naples for the sake of winning the Marquise’s affections. The Count reveals his motivations, confessing that it was visions of the Marquise that sustained him during his convalescence from a chest wound - a romantic epiphany that has driven him to seek her hand.

Following dinner, the Marquise confides in her parents about the moral dilemma she faces, acknowledging that although she does not wish to remarry, she feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards the Count for having saved her life. Ultimately, she decides to acquiesce to his proposal, much to the delight of her mother. The family advises the Count to depart for Naples, promising that the Marquise will remain chaste until he returns, when they can finalize their union.

In the Count’s absence, the Marquise begins to experience unsettling physical changes, but she remains skeptical about the true nature of these occurrences, having not been intimate with any man since her husband’s passing three years prior. As medical professionals confirm her pregnancy, the Marquise is met with shock and disdain by her parents, who promptly disown her, deeming her behavior a shameful reflection on their family. They also attempt to persuade her to leave her daughters behind, but she refuses, choosing instead to retreat to her deceased husband’s estate, a secluded haven where she can raise her children in peace.

As the Count’s persistence wears thin, he receives the unwelcome news that the Marquise (played by) is expecting. Undeterred, he presses his case for marriage, leaving her brother stunned. Disappointed in his reception at the estate gates, the Count resorts to sneaking into the garden, where he finds the Marquise and her daughters enjoying a tranquil afternoon. He implores her to reconsider, but she remains resolute, fleeing the scene.

In a bold move, the Marquise decides to air her situation in the public sphere by publishing an announcement in the newspaper. The very next day, an anonymous respondent claims he will present himself at her father’s residence on the third at eleven o’clock. Upon reading this reply, the Marquise’s parents are skeptical of their daughter’s innocence and suspect she may be playing a trick on them.

Determined to put their doubts to rest, the Marquise’s mother concocts a plan to test her daughter’s integrity. Disguising herself as Leopoldo, the family servant, she arrives at the Marquise’s residence and is welcomed by one of her daughters. The “servant” reveals that the anonymous suitor has already arrived at their doorstep, claiming to be none other than Leopoldo. The Marquise is taken aback, realizing the humble origins of the mystery man. Despite her initial reservations, she decides to accept him, convinced by his sincerity.

This development convinces the Marquise’s mother that her daughter is indeed innocent and unaware of the father’s identity. She then confesses to playing a trick on her daughter, designed to gauge her reaction. The two women make amends, and the Marquise returns with her mother to their family home. There, they prepare to reveal the truth to the Colonel, leaving them alone to apologize.

Upon her mother’s return, the Marquise is found embracing her father, kissing him affectionately. Her mother is overjoyed by this reconciliation and relieved that the family is once again at peace. As they discuss the possibility of the Marquise marrying a man from a lower social class, she displays an unexpected lack of concern, agreeing to marry whoever appears on the designated day.

As the moment of truth approaches, the Marquise (her name unspoken) and her maternal guardian await the patriarch’s arrival in their stately parlour. The door opens, but it is not the expected figure that enters - instead, the Count, a man whose character has been shrouded in mystery, appears before them. His confession hangs heavy in the air: he had taken advantage of the innocent Marquise on the very night she was rescued from her ordeal. Her countenance clouds with distress, for she had once placed her trust in this stranger and now sees him as a malevolent force. However, her mother’s expression betrays a more calculating consideration - the Count’s standing and wealth make him an attractive suitor, and she is eager to secure such a advantageous union. A compromise is reached, with the patriarch agreeing to the marriage on the condition that the Count accept only the duties of husbandhood, sans any benefits.

The following day dawns with the Marquise reluctantly bound to this man she once deemed a monster. It is not until some time has passed that the Count establishes his own residence in town, but even then, he remains absent from their family circle - it is as if he is content to maintain a distance, to keep his true nature at bay. Yet, as the months go by and a new life is brought into this troubled union, something remarkable occurs: the Marquise’s perception of her husband undergoes a profound shift. Her initial revulsion gives way to respect, and eventually, in the final moments of the film, we find ourselves witnessing a tender, loving exchange between the once-disparate couple, their faces aglow with newfound affection.