Lola Montes

1955

1h 50m

Drama

List

82%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

77%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Once, Lola Montes (Martine Carol) was a famous cabaret dancer and the lover of many of 19th-century Europe's most prominent men. Now she works in a seedy American circus, where a circus master (Peter Ustinov) tells her life story as the main attraction. After her mother's lover (Ivan Desny) marries Lola instead, she is abducted by Russian cossacks. Her many affairs end in marriage to King Ludwig I of Bavaria (Anton Walbrook). She then flees when revolution threatens his kingdom.

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Critics Consensus

A panoramic opus on celebrity that pops with vivid colors, Lola Montés is a narratively loose and visually splendid swan song for director Max Ophüls.

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Richard Brody

New Yorker

This exacting and sumptuous restoration of Max Ophls's last film, from 1955, recovers not just the movie's look but also its meaning.

Feb 10, 2014

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

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Francois Truffaut

La Parisienne

The most exciting film of the year. The CinemaScope, the color, the construction of the script, the dialogue here undergoes such a revolutionary treatment that Lola Montes's influence will be visible in many films during the years to come.

May 6, 2022

Full Review

Richard Whitehall

Los Angeles Free Press

Lola Montes is a lovely film. One which disappointed me when I first saw it, but to which I've returned time and again with pleasure and a growing respect.

Jan 16, 2020

Full Review

Manny Farber

Artforum

A love affair on wheels is a nice idea but this over-decorated vehicle is the hub for eight minor events which are nothing but crazy make-up, improbability, and an ordeal of graceless acting.

Jun 18, 2019

Full Review

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Thomas V

This is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. It's use of the circus as a vehicle to chronicle this woman's tragic life is contrived but beautifully executed, and the movie only suffers slightly from the rather wooden performance of the lead. It works because the tragedy is the objectification of her by man after man. Tough to watch in today's woke times.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Christopher B

With the 2008 restoration that made the film the closest to Ophüls' original concept and vision, Lola Montes is mesmerizing! Shot in beautiful Technicolor and showcasing the wonderful settings and beautiful locations Lola Montes looks just as amazing as Martine Carol does portraying her. Max Ophüls' last film and the only one in color, he uses the Technicolor to great advantage and adds even more depth to his striking compositions. Deep, complex and with extreme emotion and drama throughout there is no way to take your eyes off the screen. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/20/22

Full Review

ashley h

Lola Montes is a decent film. It is about the tragic story of Lola Montès, a 19th century dancer and courtesan. Martine Carol and Peter Ustinov give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Max Ophuls did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama and romance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Lola Montes is far from being a masterpiece, but nevertheless it showcases Opuls's mastery of colors, long takes, and set design.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

john m

It's not very focused I don't think but regardless, I think Ophuls meandering nature is a style unto its own. He's putting you in a world whether or not you can comprehend what's going on. Every scene is delicately framed which makes it a good viewing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Watching my way through Danny Peary's book Cult Movies. Found the historical flashbacks pretty dull, the weirdo scandal show intriguing, and the whole thing just a little bit confusing. Peary's essay adds two noteworthy points: -that "Ophuls's women...exist in a world of impermanence, of transition", matched my the constant movement of the camera (which called a lot of attention to itself, I thought, and added some interest). -that Lola is revived to make her dive BY the comment that men will be paying to kiss her hand afterward, "her final victory". I didn't pick up on that watching it, but the movie makes a bit more sense that way.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

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Max Ophuls

Director

Martine Carol

Lola Montes

Peter Ustinov

Circus Master

Anton Walbrook

Ludwig I, King of Bavaria

Oskar Werner

Student

Ivan Desny

Lieutenant Thomas James

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Synopsis

Once, Lola Montes (Martine Carol) was a famous cabaret dancer and the lover of many of 19th-century Europe's most prominent men. Now she works in a seedy American circus, where a circus master (Peter Ustinov) tells her life story as the main attraction. After her mother's lover (Ivan Desny) marries Lola instead, she is abducted by Russian cossacks. Her many affairs end in marriage to King Ludwig I of Bavaria (Anton Walbrook). She then flees when revolution threatens his kingdom.

Director: Max Ophuls
Screenwriter: Cécil Saint-Laurent, Annette Wademant, Max Ophuls, Jacques Natanson
Production Co: Gamma Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2008
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.3K
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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