The Mattei Affair
The Mattei Affair Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 17, 2026
Movie Overview: The Mattei Affair
| Movie | The Mattei Affair |
| Release Year | 1972 |
| Director | Francesco Rosi |
| Genre | Drama / History |
| Runtime | 116 minutes (1h 56m) |
| Language | IT |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Mattei Affair (1972) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Mattei Affair are led by Gian Maria Volonté . The supporting cast, including Luigi Squarzina and Peter Baldwin , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Mattei Affair stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Mattei Affair has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Mattei Affair
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1972, The Mattei Affair is a Drama, History film directed by Francesco Rosi, written by Tonino Guerra. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Gian Maria Volonté as Enrico Mattei.
Ending Explained: The Mattei Affair
The Mattei Affair Ending Explained: Enrico Mattei helped change Italy’s future, first as freedom-fighter against the Nazis, then as an investor in methane gas through a public company, A. Directed by Francesco Rosi, this 1972 drama film stars Gian Maria Volonté (Enrico Mattei), alongside Luigi Squarzina as liberal journalist, Peter Baldwin as William McHale, Renato Romano as journalist. Rated 7.5/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Mattei Affair?
Enrico Mattei helped change Italy’s future, first as freedom-fighter against the Nazis, then as an investor in methane gas through a public company, A.G.I.P., and ultimately as the head of ENI, a state body formed for the development of oil resources. On October 27, 1962, he died when his private airplane crashed during a flight to Milan. Officially, it is declared an accident, but many journalists explore other plausible reasons for Mattei's untimely death.
Francesco Rosi's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Gian Maria Volonté (Enrico Mattei)'s journey. , and ultimately as the head of ENI, a state body formed for the development of oil resources.
How Does Gian Maria Volonté (Enrico Mattei)'s Story End?
- Gian Maria Volonté: Gian Maria Volonté's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Francesco Rosi delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 56m runtime.
- Luigi Squarzina (liberal journalist): Luigi Squarzina's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Peter Baldwin (William McHale): Peter Baldwin's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
Is The Mattei Affair Based on a True Story?
Yes — The Mattei Affair draws from real events. The ending reflects documented outcomes, though Francesco Rosi has taken creative liberties in dramatizing specific scenes for cinematic impact.
What Does the Ending of The Mattei Affair Mean?
The ending of The Mattei Affair ties together the narrative threads involving Gian Maria Volonté. Francesco Rosi chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Mattei Affair Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Mattei Affair Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Mattei Affair is inspired by documented historical events. Directed by Francesco Rosi and starring Gian Maria Volonté, this drama, history film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Mattei Affair
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: The Mattei Affair successfully adapts real-world inspiration into a compelling cinematic story. Viewers interested in the real history may want to explore historical sources alongside the film.
Who Should Watch The Mattei Affair?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Where to Watch The Mattei Affair Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoThe Mattei Affair Parents Guide & Age Rating
1972 AdvisoryWondering about The Mattei Affair age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Mattei Affair (1972) is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Directed by Francesco Rosi, the film runs for 116 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Mattei Affair is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1972 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Mattei Affair worth watching?
The Mattei Affair is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Mattei Affair parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Mattei Affair identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Mattei Affair (1972)?
The runtime of The Mattei Affair (1972) is 116 minutes (approximately 1h 56m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
