Vittorio Innocente, a young man, estranged from the tragedies of his Italian immigrant family, has spent his adult life denying his past. When his estranged father starts to stalk ...
See full summary »
Not sure what to watch? Kevin Smith can help, as he shares his favorite films of the year.
Related News
-
Tiff 2016. Wavelengths Features
20 September 2016 | MUBI -
Review Roundup: Lives Of The Saints Opens Off-Broadway
25 February 2015 | BroadwayWorld.com -
‘Lives of the Saints’ Theater Review: ‘Venus in Fur’ Author Delivers Cheap Laughs and Low-Key Whimsy
25 February 2015 | The Wrap
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Lives of the Saints (TV Movie 2004)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
3 wins & 8 nominations.
See more awards »
Learn more
More Like This
Drama
|
Comedy
Director:
Lina Wertmüller
Stars:
Sophia Loren,
F. Murray Abraham,
Caspar Zafer
La mia casa è piena di specchi
(TV Movie 2010)
Biography
Director:
Vittorio Sindoni
Stars:
Sophia Loren,
Fortunato Cerlino,
Sveva Alviti
Francesca e Nunziata
(TV Movie 2001)
Drama
Director:
Lina Wertmüller
Stars:
Sophia Loren,
Giancarlo Giannini,
Claudia Gerini
Between Strangers
(2002)
Drama
Director:
Edoardo Ponti
Stars:
Sophia Loren,
Mira Sorvino,
Deborah Kara Unger
The Lives of the Saints
(2006)
Comedy
|
Drama
Directors:
Chris Cottam,
Rankin
Stars:
James Cosmo,
David Leon,
Emma Pierson
Voce umana
(2014)
Short
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Edoardo Ponti
Stars:
Sophia Loren,
Enrico Lo Verso,
Alessandra Bonarotta
Soleil
(1997)
Drama
Director:
Roger Hanin
Stars:
Sophia Loren,
Philippe Noiret,
Marianne Sägebrecht
Jusqu'à toi
(2009)
Comedy
|
Romance
Director:
Jennifer Devoldère
Stars:
Mélanie Laurent,
Justin Bartha,
Valérie Benguigui
Edit
Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
| Sophia Loren | ... | Teresa Innocente | |
 |
Fab Filippo | ... | Vittorio Innocente |
| Jessica Paré | ... | Rita Amherst | |
| Sabrina Ferilli | ... | Cristina Innocente | |
| Kris Kristofferson | ... | Matthew Bok | |
| Nick Mancuso | ... | Mario Innocente | |
|
|
Michael A. Miranda | ... | Alfredo Innocente |
| Jennie Raymond | ... | Kate Townsend | |
| Kate Trotter | ... | Mrs. Amherst | |
|
|
Stephanie Anne Mills | ... | Elena Amherst (as Stephanie Mills) |
|
|
Flavio Pacilli | ... | Young Vittorio |
| Joseph Marrese | ... | Teen Vittorio | |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Damir Andrei | ... | Older Artist |
|
|
Valeria Benedetti Michelangeli | ... | Ship Nurse |
|
|
Robert Bockstael | ... | Nathan Cordingley |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Vittorio Innocente, a young man, estranged from the tragedies of his Italian immigrant family, has spent his adult life denying his past. When his estranged father starts to stalk Vittorio's sister, Rita, with murderous intent, Vittorio is moved to return to his family and uncover the decades-old secrets that have torn his family apart. Written by diablo
Taglines:
A gripping family saga of passion, betrayal and forgiveness.Genres:
DramaCertificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
2 January 2005 (Canada) See more »Also Known As:
La terra del ritorno See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS began as three novels by Nino Ricci and became a television miniseries for Canadian TV with a screenplay by Malcolm MacRury under the direction of Jerry Ciccoritti. It is a sweeping epic that covers Italy, Canada, Alaska and other parts of the US over a number of years in a non-linear fashion that weakens the plot progress. But despite the sudsy aspects of the three-hour plus DVD, there are moments of tenderness and memorable acting that deserve attention.
The story opens in Italy where Vittorio Innocente as a child (Flavio Pacilli and as a teen by Joseph Marrese) observes his mother Cristina (Sabrina Ferilli) in the stables, bitten by a snake but obviously having just had a consignation with a soldier with blue eyes. Vittorio seeks solace from his maiden teacher aunt Therese (a luminous Sophia Loren) who consoles him, protects Christina when she becomes visibly pregnant (her husband Mario - Nick Mancuso - has been absent...), and helps him understand life through the lives of the saints by means of stories in a book she gives him. Vittorio and his mother depart for Canada 'to join Mario', but on the ship Christina dies giving birth to her daughter Rita, an infant protected by the ship's nurse (Valeria Benedetti Michelangeli). Vittorio is eventually separated from Rita and as an immigrant in America he separates himself from his Italian background, becoming a teacher in the Artic (Vittorio is now played with gusto by the talented and hunky Fabrizio Filippo, well known to American audiences from his work on Queer as Folk). Rita (Jessica Paré) is adopted and lives in Canada where she studies art and is stalked by Mario. Vittorio responds to Theresa's calls to protect Rita, the two fall in love, and the complications of the lives of this disseminated immigrant family intertwine in a manner of old-fashioned movies.
The saving grace of this rather saccharine and too long epic is the pleasure of watching Sophia Loren who still commands the screen. It also gives notice of new faces to watch - the gorgeous Sabrina Ferilli and the handsome Fabrizio Filippo. These three are reason enough to watch the movie. It is a long song of familial love/hate relationships, adoration of the simpler past as exemplified by Aunt Therese, and the plight of Italian (and all) immigrants. The photography of the varying locales is lovely and the music matches the changing times and the story. LIVES OF THE SAINTS is another example of how audiences from different countries gain access to 'foreign' TV miniseries. Grady Harp