Ha, ha, i loved this, probably a really obscure thriller as i've never heard about it and with Sean Connery in an unusual
role for him in 1964, already a world wide superstar as James Bond. Nowadays Sir Sean Connery and with another
Sir in the great Ralph Richardson plus the Italian sex symbol Gina Lollobrigida added.
And, i have to confess here: I haven't seen her in many films, maybe on TV as a child and i don't remember her as a great
actress or so, BUT Gina's really GOOD here in Woman of Straw and certainly proves that she could act.
This film is a slow thriller and murder mystery about the scheming of Connery, the nephew of mega rich Richardson, to
get his hands on the old mans fortune, and there's a twist at the end naturally.
There's a UK DVD of this film but i ordered the Spanish edition because of the much cooler sleeve

Charles

Anthony Richmond (Sir Sean Connery) is the nephew of the stinking rich business tycoon Charles Richmond (Sir Ralph
Richardson) and he's also his assistant/secretary. Charles is a very grumpy, racist and unpleasant old man and is played
to the hilt by the GREAT Richardson, who steals every scene he's in. He lives in a palace, sits in a wheelchair, harasses
his african servants and he loves classical music, especially Beethoven. Music which he blares all over the place through
an intricate system of speakers.

The old man treats also Anthony as garbage, just like he did with Anthony's father once when he not just outmanouvred
his brother from the family business but also stole his wife, Anthony's mother. So, Anthony has a problem, not just his
hatred of the old man but also how to get hold of the Charles Richmond fortune

Maria

But, a solution is coming. The mean and disgusting Charles can't keep a nurse very long as they flee The Richmond Mansion
after being abused. Anthony's mission is to find a nurse that will stay with the old gaffer and a woman that reminds Charles of
his deceased beloved wife, a woman that possibly could be the new wife of Charles Richmond.
Her name is Maria Marcello (Gina Lollobrigida) and she will not take any nonsense from the old man. She stands up against
him, refuses to take any abuse .... and the old man loves it. For the first time in his life he apologizes and soon there's a wedding.

Sir Ralph Richardson is a hoot to watch and clearly he really enjoyed this role, and even though he for the most time is ultra nasty
he actually convinces us that he could be very charming too, and lure an attractive woman as Lollobrigida's Maria to marry him.
Sure, he's got that fortune and she's in on Anthony's scheme, but she could actually like him for real.
Connery is good as Anthony, a bit to James Bond smooth maybe, and Gina Lollobrigida is not just Beyond Gorgeous, as becomes
a then international sex symbol, but also truly great in the role as Maria. I also liked the servant Thomas played by Johnny Sekka.

Anamorphic widescreen 1.85:1, english mono audio (and a spanish dub) and only a picture gallery as extra.
The picture quality was only OK and Gina deserves to be seen in all her splendour in a Blu-Ray edition of this film