1900 (1991)

It is a performances centric movie

Did you people see the same film I saw?

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Set in Italy, the film follows the lives and interactions of two boys/men, one born of peasant stock (Depardieu), the other born to a land owner (deNiro). The drama spans from 1900 to about 1945, and focuses mainly on the rise of Fascism and the peasants' eventual reaction by supporting Communism, and how these events shape the destinies of the two main characters.This film excels as an epic, and must be commended for catching Robert DeNiro early enough in his career that he was able to sneak away for what could be called an art film, and then have nobody in America even notice that he did it.But also, that wonk scene... DeNiro and Depardieu? Forty years later, how do you live that down? They have both become huge stars, and Stefania Cassini has her own following, thanks in part to her role in "Suspiria".

So flawed that I almost feel weird giving it this high a rating. But two viewings of this somewhat bloated 5 hour plus film left me feeling the same way; The film is over-simplistic in its characters and politics, badly dubbed (with actors from all over speaking their own language, so whatever soundtrack you pick there are important characters who sound like something out of 'What's Up Tiger Lily'), and even the English spoken by DeNiro seems post- recorded, making for an oddly stiff sounding performance. Yet for all these complaints it is somehow a near-great film. There are so many moments; images, incidents that are indelible, and in the end there's such a real emotional punch to this overview of the history of Italy from 1900 to 1945 as seem through the lives of a few people in a small town that it overcomes many of the flaws. I couldn't defend the film from anyone who wanted to tear it down – e.g. the simple-minded jingoistic endless competition between fascism and communism as if those were the only two options in the world, with both sides reduced to cartoon like figures of evil and good.But it's strengths are strong enough that I'd urge people to judge for themselves. You may find, like me, that all the flaws don't matter to you when a film has so many unforgettable moments. (although I suspect some may want to hunt down and kill me for the recommendation).

To explain what I think of a 6 hour movie by Bernardo Bertolucci in a review would be impossible. Suffice to say, Novecento is an epic film that succeeds more often than it fails. The failings, as I perceive them, include Novecento's tendency to drag on for more than six hours so that scenes are included that are simply unnecessary (like the strangely comic scene at the end where the Olmo (Gerard Depardieu) and Alfredo (Robert De Niro) are trying to beat each other to death) and the other problem is the blatant dubbing. But this film has some of the best cinematography ever. Bertolucci approaches his work with the soul of an artist and you can see that in the way he preparing shots and skillfully combines music with images. Most film directors would have shown far less dedication in planning how scenes are filmed, but Bertolucci's intense focus never wavers. Bertolucci also makes a very intelligent use of metaphor, such as the murder of the boy who brings the black gloves to the Fascist Attila. The boy is a metaphor for the youths who are seduced by Italian Fascism and then sent off to die in Mussolini's wars. Finally Bertolucci's Novecento is a movie that makes you think about you see. This is not mindless entertainment. The viewers are expected to study carefully how this film unfolds and more than one viewing is probably necessary to understand and truly appreciate this film. I mean this as a compliment. It is a sign of a great film when the audience is made to think carefully about what they see.ButI left out one thing: the plot. I think that Novecento is the kind of film that just has to be viewed from beginning to end to be understood. This movie does not belong to any genre and any plot summary by me will amount to a gross understatement. So don't ask me what it is about. Just watch it for yourself and arrive at your own conclusions.

This is one of my favorite movie is very long about 6 hours but its so good that you don't care i saw this movie the first time in in a revival movie house in New York City i love the movie from beginning to end is a masterpiece ,plus is the wonderful Dominique Sanda one of the most beautiful and talented actress in the world , plus Laura Betti a great actress she play the fascist wife of Donald Sutherland both are evil and perfect in their part plus Burt Lancaster never been better than here evil rich old man , Robert de Niro and Gerad Depardieu i am not a fan of either one are good here, Stephanie Sandrelli a great Italian movie star is good too , don't miss the movie i know is very long but you will not mine just go with the emotion and the time in history plus remember is Dominique Sanda in this movie