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Comedy Cult Classic

Cross-dressing chaos and palace intrigue in ancient Rome's most risqué quarters.

FOR THE LOVE OF POPPEA

1977 · 1h 28m · NR · Comedy · IMDB TMDB

Tizio and Caio, two clumsy praetorian guards disguised as women are brought as slaves by mistake to imperial official Tigellino. They end up offered as companion ladies to Poppea and find themselves in the midst of palace intrigues.

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Quick Answer

What is For the Love of Poppea about?

For the Love of Poppea is a 1977 Italian comedy film directed by Mariano Laurenti about two bumbling men who disguise themselves as women to avoid military service, only to end up as slaves and personal attendants to the Empress Poppea.

Programmer's Pick

If toga-clad cross-dressing, bawdy escapades, and a side of Roman decadence are your thing, this Italian sex comedy delivers in spades. Mariano Laurenti brings together mistaken identities, palace shenanigans, and plenty of skin—just don’t expect your Latin teacher’s vision of the empire.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in ancient Rome, For the Love of Poppea follows the misadventures of Tizio and Caio, two hapless praetorian guards desperate to dodge military duty. Their scheme involves donning women's attire and attempting escape, but the plan falls flat when they're apprehended and sold into slavery. Mistaken for actual slave girls, they are rechristened Ticiâ and Kaya and assigned as handmaidens to the glamorous and formidable Empress Poppea. What ensues is a romp through Roman high society, as the duo navigates their unexpected servitude, palace schemes, and the pitfalls of their precarious disguises. The film leans into bawdy humor, satirical takes on power, and the comedic potential of ancient misrule.

Details & Specs

Director
Mariano Laurenti
Writers
Francesco Milizia, Franco Mercuri
Release
1977
Runtime
1h 28m
Country
Italy
Language
Italian
Genres
Comedy
Also Known As
Jaimito en la corte de Neron, Le harem de Néron, Prazeres de Pompeia, Original title: Per amore di Poppea

Why This Matters

This film is an example of the commedia sexy all'italiana genre popular in 1970s Italy, directed by Mariano Laurenti and notable for its ancient Rome setting.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Mariano Laurenti Writers: Francesco Milizia +1 more
María Baxa María Baxa Poppea Gianfranco D'Angelo Gianfranco D'Angelo Tizio Alvaro Vitali Alvaro Vitali Caio Oreste Lionello Oreste Lionello Nero Sergio Leonardi Sergio Leonardi Petronio Tiberio Murgia Tiberio Murgia venditore ambulante arabo Andrea Aureli Andrea Aureli oste Franca Scagnetti Franca Scagnetti Franca FB Francesco Bigagli poeta lucano Riccardo Billi Riccardo Billi mendicante Toni Ucci Toni Ucci Tigellino Renato Chiantoni Renato Chiantoni Seneca Alicia Leoni Alicia Leoni Otello Belardi Otello Belardi Percy Hogan Percy Hogan Sergio Sinceri Sergio Sinceri Ria De Simone Ria De Simone EA Ettore Arena Warden BA Bruno Ariè Dino Cassio Dino Cassio Dante Cleri Dante Cleri Raniero Dorascenzi Raniero Dorascenzi AF Angelo Fani GM Giulio Maculani Paola Maiolini Paola Maiolini MS Mario Savini Marcello Meconizzi Marcello Meconizzi Roman (uncredited)

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Why Cult

Roman Sex Comedy

A farcical romp through ancient Rome, with all the nudity and innuendo the genre is famous for.

Cross-Dressing Hijinks

Watch Tizio and Caio's desperate attempt to dodge military service spiral into a full-blown masquerade as imperial slave girls.

Palace Intrigue

The duo’s misadventures land them smack in the middle of Empress Poppea’s inner circle and its comic complications.

Nudity and Erotica

True to its tag, the film features an abundance of female nudity and risqué scenarios.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was For the Love of Poppea released? +

For the Love of Poppea was released in 1977.

Who directed For the Love of Poppea? +

For the Love of Poppea was directed by Mariano Laurenti.

How long is For the Love of Poppea? +

For the Love of Poppea has a runtime of 88 minutes.

What genre is For the Love of Poppea? +

For the Love of Poppea is a comedy.

Where can I watch For the Love of Poppea? +

For the Love of Poppea is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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