The Decameron (1971) is the first film in Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Trilogy of Life," continuing with The Canterbury Tales (1972) and concluding with Arabian Nights (1974). Each film was an adaptation of a different piece of classical literature focusing on ribald and often irreligious themes. The tales contain abundant nudity, sex, slapstick and scatological humor.
Angela Luce says she had no problem appearing completely naked in this film because, "Pasolini was the symbol of culture, a gentleman. For him I was able to undress without hesitation. Peronella was an uninhibited character."
LOST EPISODES
Third day, tenth tale - in Tunisia a princess escapes into the wilderness where a monk tricks her into sleeping with him. This scene was removed and is now presumed lost.
Fourth day, eighth tale - a man goes on a journey to Paris and returns to his hometown to find the woman he loves married. He dies of grief. She sees this and then lays by his side and dies too. This scene was removed and is now presumed lost.
Two scenes were removed from the final release of the film. The stories of Girolamo and Salvestra and Rustico and Alibech. Whilst Alibech was Pasolini's favorite segment he removed it because its oriental setting did not fit in with the Neapolitan flavor of the film. In the final film, all of the stories are set around Naples except for Ser Ciappelletto's story which is set in Germany.
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #632.