MovieChat Forums > Don Giovanni (1979) Discussion > Strange Man

Strange Man

posted 16 years ago by aaron-497
9 replies | jump to latest

Who was that man that always seemed to be around Don Giovanni? You know the man at the very end who closes the doors. He seemed to be a symbolic character to me, perhaps representing death or as a witness to the Don's misdeeds. He always seemed to be there. Always!

Also the scene at the end where the statue does come for dinner seems like a metaphor for death rather than him literally seeing Donna Anna's father again as a statue. There doesn't seem to be much of the supernatural at work for the rest of the opera so it seems out of place there.

[–] Rodger001 16 years ago

Are you talking about his manservant Leporello? Leporello is supposed to be the source of comic relief, and unfortunately, isn't fully explored in this film. Too bad, too. I suggest obtaining a copy of the Glynnbourne Opera Company's version from the 1980s. Hilarious.

[–] Stardreamer2008 15 years ago

No, I think aaron-497 was referring to A Valet in Black played by Eric Adjani...he fascinated me too: he's so mysterious...yet he somehow reminded me of a younger version of Don Giovanni for some reason: also there is a scene just before Don Giovanni sees the wedding and meets Zerlina etc, when The Valet in Black drops a glove with the note inside and Leporello picks it up and gives it to Don Giovanni.

So what do you think is the role of this enigmatic character?

[–] msburnett99 12 years ago

I saw this movie when it came out in 1979 with my mother. We and other people had all kinds of fun coming up with theories as to who the "Valet in Black" was supposed to be. My theory was that he was a son from one of the Don's women. After all, he couldn't have been with all those women without getting SOMEBODY pregnant. My mother's theory was that he was someone the Don kept around in case he got tired of women. I forget what other people's theories were. Then someone showed us a review that came out in either Time or Newsweek magazine at that time. Apparently the "Valet in Black" was supposed to represent the director, in that he observes the action but doesn't directly effect it. Our response was "That's no fun!". We liked our speculations more. They were more fun.

[–] Stardreamer2008 12 years ago

msburnett99, thanks, that was very interesting!
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If I could fly I'd pick u up. I'd take u into the night & show u love, like u've never seen. Song<3

[–] msburnett99 12 years ago

You're welcome. Sorry to shatter everyone's illusions. If you DIDN'T know who the Valet in Black was supposed to be, what would your favorite theory about him be? Personally, I still prefer the idea of one of the Don's previous conquests dumping the kid on the Don. "Here! You take him! He's yours!"

[–] Stardreamer2008 12 years ago

by - msburnett99 on Mon Mar 12 2012 15:04:04

If you DIDN'T know who the Valet in Black was supposed to be, what would your favorite theory about him be? Personally, I still prefer the idea of one of the Don's previous conquests dumping the kid on the Don. "Here! You take him! He's yours!"

I thought he was a ghost of the younger version of Don Juan

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If I could fly I'd pick u up. I'd take u into the night & show u love, like u've never seen. Song<3

[–] sc_taylor 9 years ago

It occurred to me that he represented Don Giovanni's dark side, his immoral, wicked nature. The character stands impassive, expressionless and is dressed in black. He seems to be there silently colluding with all of Don Giovanni's evil deeds.
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[–] Starcraft_rules 8 years ago

I'm more interested in the pretty girl with a mask that appeared for a couple of seconds in the commendatore dinner scene. She doesn't appear anywhere else I think. Probably somebody's daughter on the set or something.

[–] nickisillia 8 years ago

According to imdb:

This opera film features one character who does not appear in the original source Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 'Don Giovanni' opera, a Valet in Black. The screenplay described this character as "an observer whose presence must always be felt, the guardian - in metaphysical terms - of Don Giovanni's soul". The Valet in Black is present and unspoken in nearly every scene that Don Giovanni is in.