The latter stretches are especially powerful, as tragedy, guilt, murder and suicide force the characters to become less emotional.

Nothing in the film quite fulfils the promise of the opening moment... But L'Innocente is nevertheless a remarkable film.

Visconti's last film (completed in 1976 shortly before his death) and among the most beautiful and severely disciplined films he has ever made.

Visconti seems to exploit the rising independence of women by having them occasionally utter strong words, but never enabling or allowing them to put them into practice.