A weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.A weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.A weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.
- Director
- Writers
- Alberto Moravia(novel)
- Bernardo Bertolucci(screenplay)
- Lee Kresel(written by: English version)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- Alberto Moravia(novel)
- Bernardo Bertolucci(screenplay)
- Lee Kresel(written by: English version)
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 10 wins & 8 nominations total
Videos2
- Raoulas Raoul
- (as Cristian Alegny)
- Director
- Writers
- Alberto Moravia(novel)
- Bernardo Bertolucci(screenplay)
- Lee Kresel(written by: English version)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
- Taglines
- Bertolucci's Masterpiece about Sex and Politics [re-release]
- Genre
- Certificate
- K-16
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Clerici asks the operator to connect him with Professor Quadri, the telephone number he gives is the (one-time) telephone number of Bernardo Bertolucci's idol Jean-Luc Godard. When Quadri answers the phone, Clerici recalls one of his lectures in which Quadri said "The time for reflection is over. Now is the time for action." This is the opening line in Godard's film Pieni sotilas (1963).
- GoofsA radio tower appears in a flashback to Marcello's Rome boyhood in 1917.
- Quotes
Italo: A normal man? For me, a normal man is one who turns his head to see a beautiful woman's bottom. The point is not just to turn your head. There are five or six reasons. And he is glad to find people who are like him, his equals. That's why he likes crowded beaches, football, the bar downtown...
Marcello: At Piazza Venice.
Italo: He likes people similar to himself and does not trust those who are different. That's why a normal man is a true brother, a true citizen, a true patriot...
Marcello: A true fascist.
- Alternate versionsThe "Dance of the Blind" sequence was restored for the 1994 re-issue of the film. This had been cut for the American release. Contrary to early reports, the DVD released by Paramount does include this scene.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
The story Bertolucci tells is odd and compelling, but what kept me glued to the television screen was the film's mesmerizing visual style. Bertolucci collaborated with cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, and it's not an exaggeration to say that they create some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen in a film. One might expect Bertolucci to adopt a sombre color palette for telling such a gloomy story, but that's not the case. On the contrary, he opts for lush colors, striking contrasts, and stylized lighting to create a slightly surrealistic environment that's one small step removed from reality as we know it.
A truly remarkable movie.
Grade: A+
- evanston_dad
- Jun 16, 2008
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $750,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $58,657
- Gross worldwide
- $400,747
- Runtime1 hour 53 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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