Private Vices, Public Virtues (1976)

other title: Vizi privati, pubbliche virtù

Private Vices, Public Virtues (1976) is Miklós Jancsó’s daring reimagining of the Mayerling Incident. Through mesmerizing long takes and choreographed camera movements, the film immerses viewers in a world of aristocratic decadence, sexual liberation, and hedonistic excess. Jancsó transforms history into a hypnotic sensory experience where private vices become acts of political rebellion against imperial repression. Rich visuals, symbolic imagery, and a haunting score create a powerful portrait of an empire’s moral decay. More than mere eroticism, the film explores the futility of sensual revolt and the masks of power. A polarizing yet visually stunning art-house classic that remains one of the most unique cinematic statements of the 1970s.