Dominique Sanda as Lou Andreas Salomé

Erland Josephson as Friedrich Nietzsche

Virna Lisi as Elizabeth Nietzsche

Robert Powell as Paul Rée

Michael Degen as Karl Andreas

Elisa Cegani as Franziska Nietzsche

Umberto Orsini as Bernard Foester

Carmen Scarpitta as Malvida

Nicoletta Machiavelli as Amanda

Amadeo Amodio as Dr. Dulcamara

Mircha Carven as Wolfgang

Philippe Leroy as Peter Gast

Catharina Dahlin as Prostitute

Elisabeth Wiener as Greta

Anita Höfer as Prostitute at Station

Clara Algranti as Teresa

Robert José Pomper as Young Venetian Gondolier/Christ

Renato Scarpa as Psychiatrist

Francesca Muzio as Maria

Heinz Kreuger as University Rector

Vinicio Diamanti as

Hélène Beaucour as Madam at Colonia Bordello (uncredited)

Lars Bloch as German Friend (uncredited)

Ritza Brown as Young Sicilian Prostitute (uncredited)

Guido Cerniglia as Guest in Malvida's House (uncredited)

Carlo Colombo as Bonnet (uncredited)

Clara Colosimo as Trude (uncredited)

Geoffrey Copleston as Guest in Malvida House (uncredited)

Elvira Cortese as Maid (uncredited)

Catharina Dahlin as Prostitute (uncredited)

Patrizia Dordi as Professor Staudenmayer's Singer (uncredited)

Jean Dudan as Professor Staudenmayer (uncredited)

Enzo Fabbri as Sick Man in Ambulance (uncredited)

Marina Hedman as Prostitute (uncredited)

Piero Morgia as Young Man in Pub (uncredited)

Julia Sebastian as Aunt Augusta (uncredited)

Dieter Stengel as Left-Wing Militant (uncredited)

Marcella Theodoli as Brothel Madame (uncredited)