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IMDbPro

Kaunis elämä

Original title: La vita è bella
  • 19971997
  • K-12K-12
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
688K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
637
50
Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, and Giorgio Cantarini in Kaunis elämä (1997)
Watch Trailer originale italiano [OV]
Play trailer1:33
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

When an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor, and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp... Read allWhen an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor, and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp.When an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor, and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp.

IMDb RATING
8.6/10
688K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
637
50
  • Director
    • Roberto Benigni
  • Writers
    • Vincenzo Cerami(story by)
    • Roberto Benigni(story by)
  • Stars
    • Roberto Benigni
    • Nicoletta Braschi
    • Giorgio Cantarini
Top credits
  • Director
    • Roberto Benigni
  • Writers
    • Vincenzo Cerami(story by)
    • Roberto Benigni(story by)
  • Stars
    • Roberto Benigni
    • Nicoletta Braschi
    • Giorgio Cantarini
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 157Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #25
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 72 wins & 52 nominations total

    Videos2

    Trailer originale italiano [OV]
    Trailer 1:33
    Trailer originale italiano [OV]
    Life is Beautiful
    Trailer 1:27
    Life is Beautiful

    Photos144

    Roberto Benigni in Kaunis elämä (1997)
    Roberto Benigni and Giorgio Cantarini in Kaunis elämä (1997)
    Guido, Dora & Giosue
    Guido, Dora & Giosue
    Roberto Benigni in his Oscar®-winning role as Guido Orefice
    Nicoletta Braschi stars as Dora
    Giorgio Cantarini stars as Giosue
    Guido & Giosue
    Rosanna Arquette at an event for Kaunis elämä (1997)
    Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi at an event for Kaunis elämä (1997)
    Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi at an event for Kaunis elämä (1997)
    Nicoletta Braschi at an event for Kaunis elämä (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Roberto Benigni
    Roberto Benigni
    • Guido
    Nicoletta Braschi
    Nicoletta Braschi
    • Dora
    Giorgio Cantarini
    Giorgio Cantarini
    • Giosué
    Giustino Durano
    • Zio
    Sergio Bini Bustric
    • Ferruccio
    • (as Sergio Bustric)
    Marisa Paredes
    Marisa Paredes
    • Madre di Dora
    Horst Buchholz
    Horst Buchholz
    • Dottor Lessing
    • (as Horst Bucholz)
    Lidia Alfonsi
    Lidia Alfonsi
    • Guicciardini
    • (as Lydia Alfonsi)
    Giuliana Lojodice
    • Direttrice Didattica
    Amerigo Fontani
    Amerigo Fontani
    • Rodolfo
    Pietro De Silva
    • Bartolomeo
    Francesco Guzzo
    • Vittorino
    Raffaella Lebboroni
    • Elena
    Claudio Alfonsi
    • Amico Rodolfo
    Gil Baroni
    • Prefetto
    Massimo Bianchi
    • Uomo della chiave
    Jürgen Bohn
    • Attendente tedesco festa
    • (as Jurgen Bohn)
    Verena Buratti
    • Ausiliaria tedesca
    • Director
      • Roberto Benigni
    • Writers
      • Vincenzo Cerami(story by) (screenplay by)
      • Roberto Benigni(story by) (screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Guido's wife, Dora, is played by Roberto Benigni's real-life wife, Nicoletta Braschi.
    • Goofs
      Dora calls her husband (Roberto Benigni) "Roberto" rather than "Guido" on one occasion.
    • Quotes

      Bartolomeo: They are looking for someone who speaks German, to translate their instructions.

      Guido: Me! I'll do it, I'll translate!

      Bartolomeo: Do you speak German?

      Guido: No.

    • Alternate versions
      The version shown at the Cannes festival in 1998 is slightly different from the original Italian theatrical release: some scenes have been slightly re-edited and a panel has been added at the beginning of the film, showing the phrase "This is a fairy tale", supposedly to avoid controversy over the subject matter.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Godzilla/Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas/Bulworth/The Horse Whisperer (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Marcia Reale
      (1831)

      Written by Giuseppe Gabetti (as G. Gabetti)

      Ed. Casa Musicale Pucci di Portici (Napoli)

    User reviews1.4K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Outstanding
    This may be one of the best films ever made. I've never seen a movie with such a balance of hysterical comedy and serious drama. Roberto Benigni totally deserved his Oscars. People on this site have said such negative things about him and this film. Mr. Benigni had a lot of guts to make this film, and there's not another film like it. He handled both the comedy and drama aspects beautifully. I loved the beautiful cinematography, scenery, and the characters. This movie is magnificent in every way. Don't miss it!
    helpful•269
    70
    • Monika-5
    • Jan 3, 2000

    FAQ3

    • What is the answer to Dr. Lessing's final riddle?
    • What does the German guard say?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1998 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • Italy
    • Official sites
      • Miramax
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • German
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kaunis Elämä
    • Filming locations
      • Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Melampo Cinematografica
      • Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $57,563,264
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $118,920
      • Oct 25, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $230,098,753
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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