Allegro non troppo (1976)

An enthusiastic filmmaker thinks he's come up with a totally original idea: animation set to classical music! When he is informed that some American named "Prisney" (or something) has ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruno Bozzetto

Writers:

Bruno Bozzetto (screenplay), Guido Manuli (screenplay)

Stars:

Maurizio Nichetti, Maurizio Micheli, Marialuisa Giovannini

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marialuisa Giovannini	...	The Cleaning Girl
Néstor Garay	...	The Orchestra Master
Maurizio Micheli	...	The Presenter
Maurizio Nichetti	...	The Animator
Mirella Falco	...	Non-Exercising Orchestra Member
Osvaldo Salvi	...	Man in gorilla costume
Jolanda Cappi	...	Fallen Orchestra Member
Franca Mantelli	...	Dancing Orchestra Member

Storyline

An enthusiastic filmmaker thinks he's come up with a totally original idea: animation set to classical music! When he is informed that some American named "Prisney" (or something) has already done it, he decides to do his own version, using an orchestra comprising mostly old ladies and an animator he's kept locked in a dungeon. Several different classical pieces are animated, while the animator plots his escape.

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Plot Keywords:

classical music | parody | slapstick comedy | live action animated hybrid | bottle | 

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Taglines:

Rollover, Beethoven

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Fantasy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the live action scenes surrounding the animated musical sequences, Signor Rossi, the most famous figure created by Bruno Bozzetto, has a cameo appearance.

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Goofs

Since this film is a parody AND a cartoon, it's arguable whether anything can be legitimately considered a goof. However, at the end of the film, when the director sends Franceschini down to the archives, each time he pulls a finale off the pile the same animation is reused all three times. The effect is that Franceschini takes the same stage each time, only to have it reappear when he goes back for the next.

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Quotes

[last lines]
The Orchestra Master: We're unemployed, then.
The Presenter: Unemployed...until the next movie. I've already got an idea. A brand-new idea. We could do a love story.
The Orchestra Master: A love story?
The Presenter: But not the usual kind about men and women. Lots of men and lots of women.
The Orchestra Master: Wife-swapping?
The Presenter: No, not that same old stuff. Something different. I like asymmetry. Seven men and one woman.
The Orchestra Master: That'll cost a lot.
The Presenter: No, not at all. We'll get little tiny men and make the woman real tall. It'll be fantastic!
The Orchestra Master: Sounds scary.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Si ringrazia il Comune di Bergamo di aver concesso il Teatro Donizetti per le riprese dal vero. [We thank the City of Bergamo for providing the Teatro Donizetti for the live-action filming.]

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Alternate Versions

There are two cuts to be found on home video. A 1985 release by RCA/Columbia Home Video on VHS and LD is English dubbed and edited for content. These edits appear only within the live-action interludes, a full 10 minutes worth though - this version is 75min run time. Interesting what they chose to remove, considering that much of the animation itself could be seen by some as rather risqué and probably intended for an adult audience. The removed bits generally are those containing abuse by the conductor upon the orchestra and animator. This is the version that was theatrically released in the U.S.. The video transfer (both tape and LD) is somewhat green throughout, unlike the current version available from HomeVision on DVD and VHS which is the original Italian w/English subtitles and appears to be uncensored.

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Connections

Spoofs The Music Box (1932)

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Soundtracks

Valse Triste
Written by Jean Sibelius
Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker (as Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) conducted by Herbert von Karajan

User Reviews

One of the Great Animated Films

A satire of Fantasia, this is one of the great animated films. The humor and wry comedy are balanced by the music and animation. If you like classical music and animation, you cannot miss this one.

Why has this film not been released on DVD?! This is a film to appreciate over and over.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

27 July 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Allegro non troppo

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bruno Bozzetto Film, Ministero del Turismo e dello Spettacolo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1