The film was generally panned by critics, but appreciated on its visual side.[2] The Sydney Morning Herald wrote "The settings are sensational, the costumes are magnificent. The story, on the other hand, is almost non-existent".[3]Starburst said it's "the best film to come out of Italy in a long while."[4]Hearts and Armour won the David di Donatello for Best Costumes.[5] A much longer version of the film was broadcast as a mini-series on Italian television.