: Critics note that the narrative explores traditional gender roles—the man as the "author" of the story and the woman as the "reproducer"—often ending with a grim "triumph" of male authority over female maternity.
: Modern assessments often revisit the film through lenses of gender theory and Decadence, highlighting how it remains an intriguing study of infidelity and chauvinism. Other Notable References L'Innocente - Vinegar Syndrome
: Directed while Visconti was in failing health, the film is considered a lavish, visually stunning capstone to his career.