Una giornata particolare (1977)

The film is set during the late 1930s: the occasion is the first meeting between Mussolini and Hitler. Left alone in her tenement home when her fascist husband runs off to attend the ... See full summary »

Director:

Ettore Scola

Writers:

Maurizio Costanzo (collaboration), Ruggero Maccari (screenplay),

Stars:

Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, John Vernon

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sophia Loren	...	Antonietta
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Gabriele
John Vernon	...	Emanuele, the husband of Antonietta
Françoise Berd	...	Caretaker
Patrizia Basso	...	Romana
Tiziano De Persio	...	Arnaldo
Maurizio Di Paolantonio	...	Fabio
Antonio Garibaldi	...	Littorio
Vittorio Guerrieri	...	Umberto
Alessandra Mussolini	...	Maria Luisa
Nicole Magny	...	Officer's Daughter

Storyline

The film is set during the late 1930s: the occasion is the first meeting between Mussolini and Hitler. Left alone in her tenement home when her fascist husband runs off to attend the historic event, Sophia Loren strikes up a friendship with her mysterious neighbor Mastroianni. As the day segues into night, Loren and Mastroianni develop a very special relationship that will radically alter both of their outlooks on life.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | 1930s | neighbor | mussolini | suicide attempt | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy Canada

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

October 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Special Day

Filming Locations:

Orvieto, Terni, Umbria, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnia Cinematografica Champion, Canafox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Goofs

Hitler's address, heard in the background, is not from his visit to Rome but from the 1934 Nuremberg Party Meeting, more particularly from his address to the German Youth on the third day. He's heard summoning them to be "strong and peaceful", "courageous and peace-loving".

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Quotes

Gabriele: So why aren't you laughing? You should have everything you want? A home, a husband, six children. Why aren't you laughing?

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #1.5 (1988)

User Reviews

Beautiful film about being human

I too was quite astonished to see how few people had voted on this film, and just HAD to write something about it, although my comments are quite similar to those written already.

I like many things about the film. The superb acting between Mastroianni & Loren. The way the film is narrated: Humanity and love slowly developing between these two outsiders, and contrasted to the simultaneously & continuously ongoing inhumane marching pace of the fascist radio announcer (who happens to be a colleague of Mastroianni's part)and the adherents "going to and coming from the show". To me this is a very fine film about what it is to be human. Maybe some of you would argue that the anti-fascist "message" is too clearly delivered, but to me this didn't destroy the film in any way. My vote is 10/10.