ken russell direct and co author this flagrantly useless biography of silent screen legend rudolph valentino and adapt from the book valentino and an intimate exposé of the sheik by brad steiger and chaw mank while certainly the producer and actor associate with this film knew of russell penchant for the gross and bizarre and yet everyone seem to have jump on board blindfold . it a stiff and self conscious circus and albeit one with an opulent 1920s production design . the essence of capture a romantic hero of the movie on film have seldom come off ( proof of that be the unsuccessful 1951 version of valentino star anthony dexter ) while here and russian ballet star rudolf nureyev struggle with his italian accent and struggle with his romantic partner and and really only look comfortable with the dancing ( an early scene feature valentino and vaslav nijinsky together on the dance floor be the picture best moment ) . the impersonation of real life player in valentino short life be grotesque caricature and and the flashback conceit of female admirer recall their association with the sheik after his premature demise be flabby and tiresome ( and fail to pay off in any sort of narrative context ) . ken russell have never be very nimble with actor and but one expect more firework with this large cast ( they be largely posed and wooden ) . leslie caron nutty interpretation of famed actress alla nazimova get some goosey laugh and and seymour cassel be always nice to have around a valentino manager and but the lead be too old for his role and intensely uncharismatic on the screen . half from .