«A pathetic drama – three acts by Duke Caracciolo d’Acquara – the film is deeply moving because it is inspired by strong human feelings fighting against the violence of destiny.» («La Stampa», 27/3/1914) The film tells the story of prince Pietro di Veio who, after becoming a film actor, falls in love with his screen partner Alice, who is unfaithful to him. In one scene of the film – which the two actors are to play – he must murder her. Pietro plays his role without betraying his emotions, but in the final scene won over by his jealousy, he kills his partner. Splendore e decadenza is very interesting for two reasons. Firstly, because it is one of few examples, if not the only one among FAI films, of metacinema. It furthermore gives us an opportunity to see FAI’s offices and studios on via Alessandro Torlonia.

Alessia Navantieri, Michele Canosa