This plodding, pretentious feature is based on the story Othon by Pierre Corneille. The expressionless actors deliver their lines dressed in ancient Roman costumes while the traffic of modern-day Rome roars by in the background. Director Jean-Marie Straub's fascination with the Gallic poet is admirable, but people left en mass at the Venice Film Festival well before the picture was done being shown.~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide