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The Basilisks (1963)

I basilischi (original title)
| Drama | 2 September 1963 (Italy)
The Basilisks Poster
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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Lina Wertmüller

Writers:

Lina Wertmüller (screenplay), Lina Wertmüller (story)

Stars:

Antonio Petruzzi, Stefano Satta Flores, Sergio Ferranino | See full cast & crew »
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2 wins. See more awards »

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Edit

Cast

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

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. Written by Tas Papadopoulos

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

f rated | title directed by female | See All (2) »

Genres:

Drama

Parents Guide:

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Edit

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

2 September 1963 (Italy) See more »

Also Known As:

The Basilisks See more »

Filming Locations:

Matera, Basilicata, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galatea Film, 22 Dicembre See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White
See full technical specs »

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User Reviews

 
The Italian, American Graffiti
21 December 2014 | by albertoveronese – See all my reviews

Lina Wertmüller's directorial debut "I Basilischi" (The Basilisks or The Lizards) is a 1963 little known wonderfully written and directed masterwork of Italian Neorealismo. This keenly satiric and galvanizing movie features simplicity in both its story and execution; so unique so special. It sparkles with cinematic magic unlike any other film today. Wertmüller's lean, sharp graffito seduces and functions almost like a parable, in a number of remarkable ironic insightful vignettes, pure motives which alone drive the narrative of the picture forward. Filmed in a detached pictorial black and white, Gianni Di Venanzo, post-war cinematographer, made fundamental contributions to Lina Wertmüller's first success as a filmmaker. The magnificent and beautiful Ennio Morricone scores the scenes.
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