Casanova is a 1987 American biographical romantic comedy television film directed by Simon Langton, written by George MacDonald Fraser, and starring Richard Chamberlain, Faye Dunaway, Sylvia Kristel, Ornella Muti, and Hanna Schygulla. It depicts real life events of Giacomo Casanova. It aired on ABC on March 1, 1987.
The film was released two years before Chamberlain was outed as a gay man.
Contents
Plot
Giacomo Casanova has to give up law studies because he sleeps with his teacher's daughters. He tries the priesthood but seduces a young widow. He feuds with an Austrian noble, Razetta, after stealing the latter's mistress.
He is thrown into prison but escapes. He later helps the French king establish a lottery.
Production
The project was announced in May 1985 with Chamberlain attached.
Filming began in October 1986 and went until December. The film was shot in Spain and Italy. There were two versions – one of American television and one for European television, which was longer and contained more nudity.