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![still from "The Bicycle Thief" [1948] by Vittorio De Sica](images/BicycleThief.jpg)
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The 'neo-realism' cinema of post-World War II Italy brought operatic plots to the lives
of the lower-class survivors of Fascism. The 'spaghetti Western' genre combined European
concerns with the (fake) wide-open spaces of the historic American West.
browse cinema book catalog / Italy at Amazon.com
Italy's films on DVD at Amazon.com
Italy's films on VHS at Amazon.com
Italian Movies poster catalog at AllPosters [dot] com
Italian-Language Movie Posters catalog at AllPosters [dot] com
Neo-realism entry at Wikipedia
neo-realist films list (55 titles) at Internet Movie Database
Italian Neorealism Section at Criterion
Books on Italian Cinema
 | "Spaghetti Westerns: Cowboys & Europeans From Karl May To Sergio Leone" [orig 1981; rev 2006] by Christopher Frayling I.B. Tauris 9¼x7¼ pb [4/2006] for $17.21 |
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"The Art of Italian Film Posters" [2006] by Mel Bagshaw Black Dog 12x9 pb [2/2006] for $30.36 |
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"Once Upon A Time In The Italian West: The Filmgoers' Guide To Spaghetti Westerns" [2004] by Howard Hughes I.B. Tauris 9½x6¾ pb [5/2006] for $15.56 I.B. Tauris 9¾x6¾ hardcover [12/2004] out of print/used |
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"The Cinema of Italy: 24 Films, 1932 - 1994" [2004] Edited by Giorgio Bertellini Wallflower Press 9x7½ pb [9/2004] for $29.50 Wallflower Press 9½x7½ hardcover [9/2004] for $80.00 |
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"Italian Film Posters" [2003] by Dave Kehr Museum of Modern Art 11¼x9½ pb [10/2003] for $27.96 |
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"Italian Cinema: From Neorealism To The Present" [orig 1990; rev 2001] by Peter Bondanella Continuum International Publng 8x5½ 3rd edition 8x5½ pb [4/2001] for $29.95 |
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"Italian Film" [2000] by Marcia Landy Cambridge Univ Press 9¼x6¼ pb [4/2000] for $49.00 Cambridge Univ Press 9½x6½ hardcover [4/2000] for $95.00 |
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"Italian National Cinema, 1886-1986" [1996] by Pierre Sorlin Routledge 9¼x6¼ pb [9/96] for $31.95 Routledge 9¼x6¼ hardcover [9/96] for $125.00 |
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Italian-Cinema-American-Studies/dp/1403975655/
Books on Asian Cinema
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Books on Canadian Cinema
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Books on French Cinema
Books on German Cinema
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Books on Cinema of India
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Books on Japanese Cinema
Books on Mexican Cinema
Filmmakers of Italy
NOTE: Oscar Awards for Best Foreign Language Film are not attributed
by A.M.P.A.S. or IMDb to the director or producer, but to the country of origin.
Filmmakers of Asia
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Filmmakers of Canada
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Filmmakers of France
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Filmmakers of Germany
Filmmakers of India
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Filmmakers of Japan
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Filmmakers of Mexico
list of Italian film directors at Wikipedia
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 | Michelangelo Antonioni [1912-2007] browse books • posters • IMDb listing • Wikipedia |
 | "The Passenger" aka "Professione: Reporter" [M.G.M. April 1975]
A bored television reporter on location in Africa switches identity with a dead man. He moves on with the man's passport, luggage, and appointment schedule, expecting a life more exciting than his own. Things seem to improve when he meets a sexy young woman, but this new life soon delivers more than he can handle. Co-written & directed by Michelangelo Antonioni; starring Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre & Ian Hendry Sony color DVD [4/2006] for $17.49 Warner color VHS [8/90] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
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Bernardo Bertolucci browse books • posters • IMDb listing • Wikipedia |
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"The Conformist" [Italy Oct 1970]
A minor bureaucrat takes a job with the Mussolini government and marries a politically-connected young beauty; he is asked to visit an expatriate professor while on his honeymoon in Paris, and is given a gun and silencer at the border. Written & directed by Bernardo Bertolucci; based on based on the 1947 novel by Alberto Moravia [1907-90]; cinematography by Vittorio Storaro; starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Gastone Moschin, Enzo Tarascio, Fosco Giachetti, José Quaglio, Dominique Sanda, Pierre Clémenti & Yvonne Sanson; Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay Adaptation Paramount widescreen color DVD [12/2006] for $12.99 Paramount color VHS [undated] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
"The Last Emperor" [Columbia Nov 1987]
full credits from IMDb
Dino De Laurentiis
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Dino De Laurentiis Company [est. 1983] {requires Flash}
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"Dino: The Life & The Films of Dino De Laurentiis" [2004] by Tullio Kezich, Alessandra Levantesi & James Marcus Miramax Books 9½x6½ hardcover [3/2004] for $25.95 |
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Vittorio de Sica [1902-74] IMDb listing • Wikipedia |
| | Federico Fellini [1920-93] Page |
(four of his films won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film)
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"The Cinema of Federico Fellini" [1992] by Peter Bondanella Princeton Univ Press 9¼x6 pb [4/95] for $29.95 Princeton Univ Press 9¾x6½ hardcover [4/92] out of print/used |
| | writer-director Pietro Germi [1914-74] IMDb listing • Wikipedia |
screenwriter Tonino Guerra
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Sergio Leone [1929-89]
posters •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
'Man With No Name' videos & DVDs
DB's Sergio Leone fansite
actor-writer-director Daniele Luchetti
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Ermanno Olmi
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Pier Paolo Pasolini [1922-75]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
AM's Pasolini fansite
English-language Pasolini fansite at Cinemateca di Bologna
Giuseppe Piccioni
IMDb listing •
no entry at Wikipedia
Gillo Pontecorvo [1919-2006]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
producer Carlo Ponti [1912-2007]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
director Dino Risi [1916-2008]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
"Profumo di donna" [Italy 1974]
full credits from IMDb
"Scent of A Woman" [1992 remake]
full credits from IMDb
Roberto Rossellini [1906-77]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Ettore Scola
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
2 nominations for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar
Taviani Brothers: Paolo & Vittorio
Vittorio's IMDb listing •
Paolo's IMDb listing •
not on Wikipedia
Giuseppe Tornatore
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Luchino Visconti [1906-76]
books •
posters •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
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"Ossessione" [Italy May 1943, USA Oct 1976]
Co-written & directed by Luchino Visconti; uncredited adaptation of 1934 novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice" by James M. Cain [1892-1977]; starring Clara Calamai, Massimo Girotti, Dhia Cristiani, Elio Marcuzzo, Michele Riccardini & Juan de Landa Image Ent. b&w DVD [7/2002] for $22.99 Xenon b&w VHS [2/2002] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
Lina Wertmüller
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
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"Man In Disorder: The Cinema of Lina Wertmüller In The 1970s" [2007] by Grace Russo Bullaro Troubador Publng Ltd. 9x6 pb [1/2007] for $25.95 |
Cesare Zavattini [1902-89]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
wrote 80+ films, for directors such as Antonioni, De Sica, Fellini, Germi & Visconti; 3 Oscar nominations
Franco Zeffirelli
videos/DVDs •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Actors & Others of Italy
Actors of Asia
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Actors of Canada
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Actors of France
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Actors of Germany
Actors of India
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Actors of Japan
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Actors of Mexico
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Laura Antonelli
Rossano Brazzi
Claudia Cardinale
Adolfo Celi
Vittorio Gassman
Giancarlo Giannini
Sylva Koscina
Gina Lollobrigida
Sophia Loren
Anna Magnani
Silvana Mangano
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Giulietta Masina [1921-94]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
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Marcello Mastroianni [1924-96]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
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Franco Nero
Isabella Rossellini
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| | film composer Nino Rota [1911-79]
browse film music ¯ IMDb listing ¯ Wikipedia |
 | "The Symphonic Fellini Rota: Music From The Classic Films of Federico Fellini" [2005] Composed by Nino Rota Performed by City of Prague Philharmonic, conducted by Derek Wadsworth Silva America soundtrack CD [6/2005] 15 tracks for $12.98 |
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"The Essential Nino Rota Film Music Collection" [2003] Composed by Nino Rota Performed by City of Prague Philharmonic, conducted by Derek Wadsworth & others Silva America soundtrack CD [8/2003] 28 tracks on 2 disks for $22.98 |
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"The Film Music of Nino Rota" [2000] Composed by Nino Rota, with Massimo Palumbo on piano Chandos soundtrack CD [1/2000] for $18.98 |
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"La Dolce Vita e La Commedia all'Italiana" soundtrack album [1999] Composed by Nino Rota Cam soundtrack CD [2/99] 18 tracks for $21.97 |
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"Nino Rota: Music For Film" [1998] Composed by Nino Rota Performed by Filarmonica della Scala, conducted by Riccardo Muti soundtrack CD [1/98] 30 tracks for $11.98 |
Stefania Sandrelli
Alberto Sordi
Ugo Tognazzi
Alida Valli
Monica Vitti
Selected Movies of Italy
Italy's films have received 3 early Honorary Oscar Awards, 10 Best Foreign Language Oscar® wins
{Fellini won four!}, among 27 Best Foreign Film nominations.
list of Italy's submissions for Oscar consideration
 | "Bellissimo: Images of The Italian Cinema" [Istituto Luce, Italy 1985] 110-minute Italian-language documentary on the cinema of Italy Directed by Gianfranco Mingozzi; featuring Dario Argento, Cinecittà Studios, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, Giuseppe Rotunno, the Venice Film Festival, Luchino Visconti & Lina Wertmüller Water Bearer Films color DVD [4/91] out of prodn/used credits at IMDb |
Selected films of: Asia • Canada • France • Germany • India • Japan • Mexico
"Cabiria" [Italy April 1914; restored 1985]
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"One of the most influential films ever made ... visually stunning." Set against the Punic Wars, a little princess, believed killed in a volcanic eruption, is then kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery in Carthage. A Roman noble and his slave save the girl from sacrifice to the local god Moloch, and she then becomes the slave of the queen. Ten years later, Carthage falls to the Roman army, and Princess Cabiria is able to return home.
Produced, co-written & directed by Giovanni Pastrone; co-written by Gabriele D'Annunzio, based on a book by Titus Livus; starring Carolina Catena, Letizia Quarante, Umberto Mozzato, Bartolomeo Pagano, Italia Almirante-Manzini & Gina Marangoni Kino Video tinted b&w DVD [11/2000] for $26.99 Kino Video tinted b&w VHS [11/98] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
| | "Shoeshine" aka "Sciuscià" [Italy 1947]
Directed by Vittorio de Sica |
"The Bicycle Thief"
aka "Ladri di biciclette" [Italy Nov 1948, USA Dec 1949]
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Considered a masterpiece; the correct title is "The Bicycle Thieves". An unemployed father finally finds work in hard-scrabble post-WWII Rome, and his precious bicycle is stolen on the first day.
Co-produced, co-written & directed by Vittorio de Sica; starring Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell, Gino Saltamerenda & Vittorio Antonucci; nominated for Best Screenplay Oscar, won Honorary Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film
Criterion restored b&w DVD [2/2007] 2 disks for $34.99 Image Ent. b&w subtitled DVD [11/98] for $18.99 Allied Artists b&w VHS [4/98] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb dark 11"x17" poster {above} from Amazon for $9.99 11"x17" Italian color poster from Amazon for $9.99 |
"La Strada" [Italy Sept 1954]
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During the hardscrabble times of post-WWII Italy, a gypsy strongman entertainer buys a young girl to act as his assistant. This is a love story – a tragic one.
Co-written & directed by Federico Fellini; music by Nino Rota; starring Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart & Aldo Silvani; won the first official Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, Oscar nominated for Best Original Screenplay
Criterion b&w DVD [8/00] 2 disks for $38.99 Homevision b&w VHS [6/2000] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb; movie entry at Wikipedia 12"x16" Italian-language poster available at AllPosters.com |
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"La Strada" [1987] critical text edited by Peter Bondanella & Manuela Gieri Rutgers Univ Press 8¾x6 pb [12/87] out of print/used |
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"Nights of Cabiria" aka "Le Notti di Cabiria" [Italy 1957]
Produced by Dino De Laurentiis, directed by Federico Fellini |
"Mafiosos" [Italy 1962, Rialto re-release 2007]
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"Fellini's 8 ½" aka "Otto e mezzo" [Italy 1963]
Directed by Federico Fellini |
"Investigation of A Citizen Above Suspicion" [Italy 1970]
by Elio Petri; won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film
| | "The Garden of The Finzi-Continis" [Italy 1971] |
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"Amarcord" [Italy 1974]
Directed by Federico Fellini |
"Nuovo Cinema Paradiso"
[Italy 1988; 155 min. release]
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Written & directed by Giuseppe Tornatore; starring Philippe Noiret, Marco Leonardi, Salvatore Cascio, Jacques Perrin, Antonella Attili, Pupella Maggio & Brigitte Fossey (director's cut only); won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, 5 BAFTAs, Jury Grand Prize at Cannes & other awards
HBO VHS w/English subtitles [3/2001] out of stock/used HBO widescreen DVD [3/2001] out of stock/used Ennio Morricone soundtrack CD [6/91] for $14.99 DRG 'Extra Tracks' CD [6/2001] for $19.98 full credits from IMDb June 2002 Director's Cut [3 hour release] info on different versions from IMDb |
| | "Il Postino" [Italy 1995]
full credits from IMDb |
"My Voyage To Italy" aka "Il Mio Viaggio"
[Miramax; Italy Sept 1999, USA Oct 2001]
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Co-written, directed & hosted by Martin Scorsese; filmmakers covered include Rossellini, De Sica, Visconti, Fellini & Antonioni Miramax widescreen b&w/color DVD [7/2004] 2 disks for $17.99 full credits from IMDb |
Italian Cinema Links
Italian Language movies poster catalog at AllPosters [dot] com
Foreign Films [dot] com - Best Italian Films on DVD
Complete Index To World Film
Cinecittà Holding •
Cinecittà Studios in Rome •
Filmitalia Distribution
David di Donatello Prizes [est. 1955]
Venezia [Italy] Intl. Film Festival [Aug-Sept 2003 = #60]
Yahoo! Italy Cinema
Italy-America Chamber of Commerce in the U.S.A. [est. 1887]
Instituto Italiano di Cultura - New York City
Instituto Italiano di Cultura - Los Angeles
![Cineteca di Bologna in Italy [mostly-Italian langauge site]](images/CinetecaBologna.gif)
![Pordenone [Italy] Silent Film Festival [Oct 2003 = #22]](images/PordenoneFF.gif)
![New Mexico Italian Film Festival [Feb 2009 = #3] in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA](images/NMitalianFF.gif)
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