Italian cinema is in second place after Hollywood in the production of feature films. A whole galaxy of famous directors, including Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini, Eduardo de Filippo, producer Dino de Laurentis, for many years created their masterpieces. Today, the luminaries of the cinema have been replaced by the younger generation, but the best Italian films were shot by representatives of the old school in the middle of the last century. Roles were played by actresses and actors with invaluable experience acquired in the forties and fifties of the 20th century. The mastery of filmmakers from the Apennine Peninsula contributes to the rating of Italian cinema.
The best Italian films of all time
In the first place are the old films of the pre-war period. These are films in Italian, the plot of which is dominated by folklore pictures from the life of ordinary people. The subjects in writing the scripts were extensive, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Usually films in Italian intended for showing in other countries are duplicated, but more often accompanied by captions.
Maestro Fellini
For the most part, films of this level were shot in black and white. In the world cinema market, old Italian films are especially valued, which cause nostalgia for millions of viewers. Among them, there are practically no color films. A good Italian film has a deep meaning, which was originally laid down in the script. The psychological plot intertwines, for example, are distinguished by the work of Federico Fellini, a great master of philosophical intrigue.
Hollywood
The best Italian films were created at the movie studios Titanus, Itala Film, Filmauro, Divafuturo, Kineriz, Chinechitta. Separate projects were placed in the pavilions of Hollywood, and then on the set appeared American superstars, who were assigned the main roles. An exception to the general rule were Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren, who never lost their primacy. The best Italian films were shot under the direction of producer Dino de Laurentis, who prefers to work with American partners. Finished films were released first in the USA, then in Europe.
What can be called the best Italian films? The list of the most popular, well-known films is given below:
- "Obsession", the film was shot in 1943 by director Lukino Visconti. The main roles were played by Clara Kalamai and Massimo Girotti.
- "The Miracle in Milan", directed by Vittoriode Sica, starring Francesco Golisano, Emma Gramatica.
- The Road, a dramatic film, was directed by Federico Fellini in 1954. Starring Juliet Mazin and Anthony Quinn.
- Sweet Life, an Oscar-winning film by Federico Fellini, created in 1959. Starring Marcello Mastroianni in tandem with Anita Ekberg.
- Italian Divorce, a comedy film, directed by Pietro Jermi in 1961. The main performers are Marcello Mastroianni and Danielle Rocca.
- Bicycle Thieves, a drama directed and directed by Vittorio de Sica in 1984. Starring Alberto Marjorani and Enzo Styola.
- The New Cinema Paradiso is an Oscar-winning film made by Giuseppe Tornatore in 1988. The main roles were played by Philippe Noiret together with Jacques Perrin.
- "Postman", the picture was shot in 1994 at the Penta Film studio. Director - Michael Redford. Starring Philippe Noiret.
- "Life is beautiful," the film was created in 1997. The director is Roberto Benigni, the main roles were played by Nicoletta Braschi and Roberto Benigni.
Mafia in Italian cinema
Sicily, criminal clans, bosses, street gangsterism - all this could be seen on the movie screen. The Italian mafia films feature an exciting plot with an unpredictable ending. In a special place are films about the crime syndicate Cosa Nostra, filmed in Hollywood.
- The Godfather is a cult film about the mafia, ousted by police from the Apennine Peninsula and taking root in the United States. The director of the picture is Francis Coppola, the most famous Hollywood actors, such as Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, are engaged in roles. The main character of the film is Vito Corleone, the father of the family, played by Marlon Brando. The youngest son is Corleone Michael, the role of Al Pacino. Caan James plays Santino, an older brother. The film has collected seven Oscars and countless additional prizes.
Teens and the Mafia
- Once Upon a Time in America, the picture is considered the best in the category of gangster films, although it has not been awarded a single Oscar. The picture is directed by Sergio Leone, starring James Woods, Tizdey Weld, Robert de Niro, Burt Young. The film tells about the life of adolescents who embarked on the path of crime.
- The Prizzi Family Honor, a classic gangster movie created in 1985. Director John Houston, the actors in the film are busy: Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Angelica Houston. The latter was awarded the Oscar in the nomination for Best Actress, the remaining actors were awarded the Golden Globe.
- The Untouchables, a film about a tough confrontation between police structures and a gangster syndicate led by Al Capone. The picture was shot in 1987 by director Brian de Palma. The main roles were played by Sean Connery, Kevin Kestner, Robert de Niro.
- Fight, a crime film made in 1995 by director Michael Mann. The film tells about the confrontation between police officer Vincent Hana and the mafiosi McCauley. Roles are performed by: Al Pacino, Natalie Portman, Robert de Niro.
- "Suspicious faces", the picture is recognized as one of the most interesting detective stories in the history of Hollywood. The film was created in 1995 by director Brian Singler. Starring: Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro.
- Carlito's Way, filmed by director Brian de Palma in 1993. In the center of the plot is the leader of the New York drug mafia, who was released after a long imprisonment. The main roles are played by: Sean Penn and Al Pacino.
And again the mafia
- "The Bronx Story", the film tells the story of a teenager named Calogero Anello, who lives in the Italian quarter of the Bronx. The plot focuses on the friendship between the boy and the mafia boss. Cast: Lillo Bracanto, Chazz Palminteri, Robert De Niro, Francis Capra. The picture is the first directorial work of Robert de Niro.
- Donnie Brasco, a film about the FBI intelligence network, was created by director Michael Newell. Roles are performed by: Al Pacino, Michael Madsen, Johnny Depp. The plot is based on real events that occurred in the seventies when an FBI agent infiltrated mafia structures under the name Donnie Brasco. The picture did not leave the screen for a long time.
Reviews
Italian films about the mafia are rarely shot today, since the mafia as such is no longer there, there are only criminal groups consisting of several people. So modern Italian films are now created primarily on the topic of love. Reviews of moviegoers about new paintings are still positive. And although the best masterpieces of Italian cinema were shot many years ago, recent films also leave no one indifferent.
Visitors to cinemas often leave their reviews, share their impressions of the films watched. Among the audience there are fans of a single actress or actor. A lot of admirers of talent Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Marcello Mastroianni. Reviews of moviegoers are filled with sincere love for their idols.
Plots
Films created on the Apennine Peninsula are so diverse that it is impossible to list their contents, for this you will need a huge number of articles. Nevertheless, there are several films that are the face of Italian cinema. These are “Marriage in Italian”, “Divorce in Italian”, “Sweet Life”, “Nights of Cabiria” and others. Plots are based on real events that have occurred in the life of Italians.