The Basilisks (1963)

The story follows the uneventful lives of three young men, who live in a small, poverty-stricken village in southern Italy.

Director:

Lina Wertmüller

Writers:

Lina Wertmüller (screenplay), Lina Wertmüller (story)

Stars:

Antonio Petruzzi, Stefano Satta Flores, Sergio Ferranino

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Antonio Petruzzi	...	Antonio
Stefano Satta Flores	...	Francesco
Sergio Ferranino	...	Sergio
Luigi Barbieri	...	Antonio's father
Flora Carabella	...	Luciana Bonfanti
Mimma Quirico	...	Aunt Maria
Enzo Di Vecchia	...	Friend
Rosetta Palumbo	...	Rosetta
Rosanna Santoro	...	Anna
Manlio Blois	...	Nicolino
Marisa Omodei	...	Cicci D'Andrea

Storyline

The neorealistic story follows the uneventful lives of Francesco, Sergio and Antonio, three young men, who live in a small, poverty-stricken village. Since all three are unemployed they while their time away roaming the streets and chasing girls. One day Antonio's aunt asks him to stay with her and his cousins in Rome. He accepts her offer and enrolls at a university in Rome leaving his two friends behind who envy him for his new upscale lifestyle. But eventually Antonio returns to the village, initially just for a day. Though he boasts about his life, he never goes back to Rome and instead opts for his friends and the place he grew up in, despite all its shortcomings.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | title directed by female | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

References Attack of the Normans (1962)

User Reviews

Not a vivid story

There's a story that Lina Wertmuller tells about herself and Fellini: "He said something that I will never forget: 'If you are not a good storyteller, all the techniques in the world will never save you.' He told me that before I started shooting my first film, 'I basilischi'". When I watched The Basilisks, I could not tell who the narrator was and what the story was. There is a vague story there but it is not strong and vivid. You have to consider that here she had the very best crew gathered, the best film music person Ennio Morricone, the best editor Ruggero Mastroianni and the best cinematographer Gianni di Venanzio. Yet all their magic does not make this potentially great film come alive because the traditional story structure is weak or missing.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

2 September 1963 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Basilisks

Filming Locations:

Minervino Murge, Puglia, Italy

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$590

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galatea Film, 22 Dicembre

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White