Amarcord (1973)

A series of comedic and nostalgic vignettes set in a 1930s Italian coastal town.

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

Federico Fellini (story), Tonino Guerra (story)

Stars:

Magali Noël, Bruno Zanin, Pupella Maggio

Won 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pupella Maggio	...	Miranda
Armando Brancia	...	Aurelio
Magali Noël	...	Gradisca (as Magali' Noel)
Ciccio Ingrassia	...	Teo
Nando Orfei	...	Patacca
Luigi Rossi	...	Lawyer
Bruno Zanin	...	Titta
Gianfilippo Carcano	...	Baravelli
Josiane Tanzilli	...	La Volpina
Maria Antonietta Beluzzi	...	Tobacconist
Giuseppe Ianigro	...	Grandpa
Ferruccio Brembilla	...	Fascist
Antonino Faà di Bruno	...	Count (as Antonino Faa' Di Bruno)
Mauro Misul	...	Philosophy Professor
Ferdinando Villella	...	Prof. Fighetta

Storyline

One year in a small northern Italian coastal town in the late 1930s is presented. The slightly off-kilter cast of characters are affected by time and location, the social mores dictated largely by Catholicism and the national fervor surrounding Il Duce aka Benito Mussolini and Fascism. The stories loosely center on a mid-teen named Titta and his household including his adolescent brother, his ever supportive mother who is always defending him against his father, his freeloading maternal Uncle Lallo, and his paternal grandfather who slyly has eyes and hands for the household maid. Other townsfolk include: Gradisca, the town beauty, who can probably have any man she wants, but generally has no one as most think she out of their league; Volpina, the prostitute; Giudizio, the historian; a blind accordionist; and an extremely buxom tobacconist. The several vignettes presented include: the town bonfire in celebration of spring; life at Titta's school with his classmates and teachers; ...

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Plot Keywords:

big breasts | group of friends | men masturbate together | satire | large lady | 

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Taglines:

The Fantastic World of Fellini!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

17

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is the phonetic translation of the words "Mi ricordo" (I remember) as spelled in the dialect of Rimini, the town in which the director Federico Fellini was born, and where the film is set. The correct spelling should be "A m'arcord".

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Goofs

When the carriage is hidden behind the farmhouse, its position in relation to the shadow changes between shots. As it is driven behind the building, it is in shadow; when next shown it is out of the shadow.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Miranda: The puffballs.
Aurelio Biondi, Titta's Father: When the puffballs come, cold winter's almost gone.

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Alternate Versions

An exclusive digital restoration of the film was done by Criterion in 1995 for their laserdisc. The disc contains a before-and-after demonstration of the restoration process and has the option of either the original Italian soundtrack or the English-dubbed soundtrack.

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Connections

Featured in Le monde magique du souvenir Fellinien (2004)

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Soundtracks

Stormy Weather
(uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler
This tune is heard several times during the film.

User Reviews

I remember...

No other film maker remembers like Federico Fellini. He is able to comprehend and contemplate the importance and beauty of memory and images that come to our minds. He did it with practically every film he made, culminating with La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2. Here, towards the end of his career amidst some films that seemed to pretentious or overanxious to amuse us, he presents a story about people. Not just one person, but a whole group of people living in a small coastal town in Italy 1930s.

It may not be his most dazzling or mesmerizing film, but Amarcord is Fellini's most personal journey. It is told through multiple narrators, all who add a little more the picture, but mostly it is told through the incredible images Fellini creates. His use of color is astonishing, balancing bright colors of passion against the dull lackluster colors of white and black. He also gives us multiple fantasy sequences, building on those of Guido in 8 1/2. Here, they are more abstract but more meaningful. There is a young boy probably supposed to represent him, but it is clear Fellini admired and loved all these quirky people. There is Gradisca the village beauty, Teo the crazy uncle, Aurelio the loud and stern father, and Miranda the loyal and loving mother. Fellini films all of them with such grace and affection, you can't help but be swept up into this world. And, as with most Fellini, you really don't want to leave either.

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian Greek, Ancient (to 1453)

Release Date:

7 June 1974 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Amarcord

Filming Locations:

Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$432, 18 October 2009

Gross USA:

$125,493

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$192,193

Company Credits

Production Co:

F.C. Produzioni, PECF

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1