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IMDbPro

Life Is Beautiful

Original title: La vita è bella
  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
700K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
341
101
Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, and Giorgio Cantarini in Life Is Beautiful (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
700K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
341
101
    • Roberto Benigni
    • Vincenzo Cerami(story by)
    • Roberto Benigni(story by)
  • Stars
    • Roberto Benigni
    • Nicoletta Braschi
    • Giorgio Cantarini
    • Roberto Benigni
    • Vincenzo Cerami(story by)
    • Roberto Benigni(story by)
  • Stars
    • Roberto Benigni
    • Nicoletta Braschi
    • Giorgio Cantarini
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 137Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #26
    • Won 3 Oscars

    Videos2

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

    Photos144

    Roberto Benigni in Life Is Beautiful (1997)
    Roberto Benigni and Giorgio Cantarini in Life Is Beautiful (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 Life Is Beautiful (1997)
    Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi at an event for Life Is Beautiful (1997)
    Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi at an event for Life Is Beautiful (1997)
    Nicoletta Braschi at an event for Life Is Beautiful (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
      • Roberto Benigni
      • Vincenzo Cerami(story by) (screenplay by)
      • Roberto Benigni(story by) (screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    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 At 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
    10/10
    One of the Best Movies I've Ever Seen
    The first time I saw the movie was when I was about seventeen or so, and I never forgot it. The incredibly human characters (such as the doctor who loved riddles), the fantastic script-writing, the amazing acting, and of course the heartwarming story. This movie proves once and for all how strong we are, as humans, that in the face of adversity we can make the best of things. There is so much love in the characters; Dora's love for her husband Guido is boundless, as well as Guido's love for his son. Sure, it's a slightly unrealistic movie, but hey, aren't they all a little unrealistic? I've also seen people review this movie and say that it made light of the Holocaust, which was of course a dark point in history. I don't think so; I think that it's only delicately handled, and because of that, the movie is one that a person can watch in one sitting without being thoroughly disgusted by mankind. I would say that those who think this movie is too "light" are cynical and bitter. The whole point to the movie is to show what love is capable of, and to provide encouragement and perhaps guidance. This movie changed my life from the first time I watched it. I came away with this feeling that no matter what I have to face in life, that I can overcome it. This is a movie that I would recommend to anyone over the age of eleven. The acting is superb (though Roberto Benigni is a little over-the-top, LOL), the story heartwarming and easy to understand. It's excellent!
    helpful•247
    68
    • farkas419
    • Jan 30, 2006

    FAQ3

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

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 20, 1997 (Italy)
      • Italy
      • Miramax
      • Official Facebook
      • Italian
      • German
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Melampo Cinematografica
      • Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 56 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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