Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)

A doctor in Fascist Italy is exiled to a remote village for his political views.

Director:

Francesco Rosi

Writers:

Francesco Rosi (story), Tonino Guerra (story)

Stars:

Gian Maria Volontè, Paolo Bonacelli, Alain Cuny

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gian Maria Volontè	...	Carlo Levi
Paolo Bonacelli	...	Don Luigi Magalone
Alain Cuny	...	Barone Nicola Rotunno
Lea Massari	...	Luisa Levi
Irene Papas	...	Giulia Venere
François Simon	...	Don Traiella
Luigi Infantino	...	Chauffeur
Accursio Di Leo	...	Joiner
Francesco Callari	...	Dottore Gibilisco
Enzo Vitale	...	Dottore Milillo (as Vincenzo Vitale)
Antonio Allocca	...	Don Cosimino
Vincenzo Licata	...	L'italo-americano
Muzzi Loffredo
Lidia Bavusi
Francesco Capotorto

Storyline

In the fascist Italy of 1935, a painter trained as a doctor is exiled to a remote region near Eboli. Over time, he learns to appreciate the beauty and wisdom of the peasants, and to overcome his isolation.

---

Plot Keywords:

interwar period | kingdom of italy | fascist italy | campania | lucania italy | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the film and its source novel comes from an expression by the people of Gagliano who say of themselves, "Christ stopped short of here, at Eboli" which means, in effect, that they feel they have been bypassed by Christianity, by morality, by history itself-that they have somehow been excluded from the full human experience.

---

Goofs

On the bus, the way Carlo holds the dog changes.

---

Quotes

Luisa Levi: You'd need a woman here.
Carlo Levi: Yes, I would. But it's not easy.
Luisa Levi: Come on, don't exaggerate. Don't tell me that here even finding a cleaning lady is impossible.
Carlo Levi: Here a woman wouldn't go in the house of a single man. Just spending time together implies sleeping together.
Luisa Levi: You can't be serious.
Carlo Levi: Oh, yes I am.

---

Alternate Versions

There are many versions ranging from 120 minutes to 224 minutes. The longest version available in the U.S. is 224 minutes and is available from the Criterion Collection on Blu-ray.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Fisher King (1991)

User Reviews

Christ stopped in eboli

this movie did more than any other Italian film i've seen to interest me in italy itself--the people, the land, the culture. it also opened my mind to the intelligence of the uneducated among us--i loved that guilia was so real and right-n and so full of peasant superstition that in no way interfered with her ability to "get it." i have begun to travel in italy and having seen this film i am driven to see the south and visit the carlo levi house and museum. his paintings see into the object, to me, like a quality black and white study which i find the most expressive medium. as soon as i see the faces in the beginning of this film, i am drawn in. i found the melancholy music somewhat sentimental (like the music in truffaut's films) but a necessary comfort.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

23 February 1979 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Christ Stopped at Eboli

Filming Locations:

Gravina di Puglia, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,006, 7 April 2019

Gross USA:

$78,736

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$78,736

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rai 2, Vides Cinematografica, Action Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 224 min (TV) 213 min (video) 120 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1