Forbidden passions ignite scandal and punishment behind convent walls in 17th-century Italy.
THE LADY OF MONZA
A true story taken from the archives of the archdiocese of Milan. A film loosely based on real life events of Marianna De Leyva, better known as "The Nun of Monza," a 17th century nun accused of and tried by the church for breaking celibacy and plotting murder.
Quick Answer
The Lady of Monza is a 1969 Italian biography-drama film directed by Eriprando Visconti about a 17th-century nun whose repressed desires lead to scandal, crime, and a church trial.
Programmer's Pick
Visconti’s take on the infamous Monza scandal is as much about carnal chaos as it is about clerical hypocrisy. Expect your nunsploitation with a side of true-crime pedigree and Italian art-house gloom.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This 1969 historical drama by Eriprando Visconti adapts the real-life story of Marianna de Leyva, the 'Nun of Monza,' a figure popularized by Alessandro Manzoni's novel The Betrothed.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Inspired by real church archives, this film mixes historical scandal with the nunsploitation genre’s signature excesses.
A tale of illicit passion and dangerous liaisons within the cloistered world of a 17th-century convent.
Sex, sin, and ecclesiastical punishment collide under the ever-watchful gaze of the Church.
Director Eriprando Visconti brings a somber, stylish edge to this tale of repression and doom.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was The Lady of Monza released? +
The Lady of Monza was released in 1969.
Who directed The Lady of Monza? +
The Lady of Monza was directed by Eriprando Visconti.
How long is The Lady of Monza? +
The Lady of Monza has a runtime of 105 minutes.
What genre is The Lady of Monza? +
The film is a biography and drama.
