Lola Montez (1962 film)

Lola Montez is a 1962 French-West German historical drama film directed by Max Ophüls. It was Ophüls' final completed film, and is based on the life of the celebrated Irish dancer and courtesan, Lola Montez.

The film stars Martine Carol as Lola Montez, Peter Ustinov as the ringmaster of a circus where she performs, and Anton Walbrook as King Ludwig I of Bavaria. It tells the story of Lola Montez's rise and fall from grace, depicting her scandalous affairs and her eventual descent into a sideshow attraction.

Lola Montez is notable for its innovative use of CinemaScope and color cinematography. The film is structured as a series of flashbacks recounted during Lola's performances in the circus ring, allowing Ophüls to explore themes of celebrity, exploitation, and the subjective nature of truth.

Upon its initial release, Lola Montez was significantly cut and reedited by its producers against Ophüls' wishes, leading to negative reviews and box office failure. However, a restored version closer to Ophüls' original vision has since been released, and the film is now considered a masterpiece of world cinema. It is acclaimed for its visual style, complex narrative structure, and its poignant portrayal of a woman struggling to control her own destiny in a patriarchal society.