Valentino

Valentino

Year: 1977

Runtime: 128 mins

Language: English

DramaEpic history and literatureCaptivating relationships and charming romanceShow All…

In life he was a movie star, in death he became a legend. When silent‑screen icon Rudolph Valentino dies unexpectedly, the women who knew him—former lovers, admirers and confidantes—look back on his turbulent climb to stardom, recalling the glamour, the heartbreak and the fierce ambition that made him an enduring myth.

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Timeline & Setting – Valentino (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Valentino (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1926

The events are set in the mid-1920s, during the height of Hollywood's silent era and the burgeoning celebrity culture. Valentino's wake in 1926 provides the frame, while earlier scenes trace his ascent through the early 1920s. The period captures the tension between fame, art, and personal turmoil that defines his legacy.

Location

New York City, California, Mexico

The wake of Rudolph Valentino unfolds in New York City, with the funeral home serving as the centerpiece for memory and public spectacle. Flashbacks roam to California, where Valentino pursues stardom and personal dreams, and to Mexico, where pivotal life decisions unfold. These locations anchor the story in the 1920s American film landscape, highlighting the rise and fall of a global icon.

🗽 New York City 🌴 California 🏜️ Mexico

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

Main Characters – Valentino (1977)

Meet the key characters of Valentino (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rudolph Valentino (Rudolf Nureyev)

The central figure, a charismatic silent-film star whose ambitions and vulnerabilities drive the story. He navigates fame, romance, and humiliation, with moments of artistic boldness punctuating his rise. His arc culminates in a dramatic, humanly costly legacy that outlives his life.

🎬 Celebrity 💔 Tragedy

Bianca de Saulles (Emily Bolton)

Valentino's early love, a taxi dancer with dreams of a California orange grove. She witnesses his evolving magnetism and catalyzes his decision to seek opportunities across the country. Her memories anchor the film’s exploration of the roots of his fame.

💃 Romance

June Mathis (Felicity Kendal)

A young, ambitious screenwriter who harbors unrequited love for Valentino. She mentors him into stardom, recognizing his potential and championing his breakthrough in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Her professional drive helps propel his rise in Hollywood.

🎭 Talent

Alla Nazimova (Leslie Caron)

A flamboyant star who asserts a personal connection with Valentino and recalls their Camille collaboration. Her presence adds glamour and scandal to the wake, underscoring the era's shifting social circles. She embodies the interplay of art, fame, and public persona.

🎬 Fame

Natasha Rambova (Michelle Phillips)

Valentino's partner and collaborator who becomes deeply involved in his personal and professional life. Their complicated relationship and marriage plans reveal the tension between love, ambition, and control in early Hollywood.

💘 Romance

George Melford (Don Fellows)

A director-manager who helps Valentino and Rambova secure appearances and negotiate deals, representing the business machinery of fame. His actions influence the couple's trajectory and the terms of their stardom.

🎬 Industry

Rory O'Neil (Peter Vaughan)

A professional boxer who becomes Valentino's rival in a duel-turned-ballet-like contest. The match serves as a metaphor for public conflict and personal struggle, linking performance with personal vulnerability.

🥊 Rivalry

Sidney Olcott (John Justin)

A film director figure who participates in directing scenes on set, reflecting Valentino's evolving relationship with creative control. He embodies the industry’s power structures and collaborative process shaping Valentino’s screen presence.

🎞️ Direction

Fatty Arbuckle (William Hootkins)

A contemporary of Valentino whose presence illustrates the era's celebrity culture and personal clashes. His interactions contribute to the broader social dynamics surrounding the star and the media spotlight.

🎭 Media

Vaslav Nijinsky (Anthony Dowell)

A famed ballet dancer whose memory juxtaposes with Valentino's boxing duel, highlighting the blend of dance and masculine performance that informs Valentino's world. Nijinsky's presence underscores the artful, performative nature of Valentino's era.

💃 Dance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

Major Themes – Valentino (1977)

Explore the central themes of Valentino (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Fame

Valentino's celebrity status drives the narrative, illustrating how fans, the press, and studios mold his decisions. The film examines the double-edged nature of stardom, where adoration can quickly turn into scrutiny and control. Through memories and encounters, the story shows how fame shapes identity and public perception.

💔 Tragedy

Behind the glamour lies a life shadowed by personal conflict and fragile health. The plot centers on his ulcer, legal battles, and ultimate death, using mortality to critique the costs of superstardom. The arc suggests that legend often eclipses the human vulnerabilities behind it.

🧭 Legacy

The remembered relationships reveal how Valentino's life and image were built by a web of mentors, lovers, rivals, and collaborators. Each memory adds to the public persona that endures beyond his death. The film uses these fragments to construct a portrait of a man who became a lasting cultural symbol.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

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Unlock the Full Story of Valentino

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Valentino Summary

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Valentino Summary

Valentino Timeline

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Valentino Timeline

More About Valentino

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