Rating: PG13
Genre:
Comedy Drama
Theatrical Release: 12/20/1997(Italy),
Release Date: 11/09/1999
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English/Italian
Sound: 5.1/2
Run Time: 116 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Watch With Your Teen
Distributor/Studio: Miramax
In this WW II tragicomedy, famed Italian funnyman
Roberto Benigni (
The Monster) portrays Guido, who moves during the '30s from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora (
Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife). Dora likes Guido, but she remains faithful to her pompous fiancé, so Guido has an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle (
Giustino Durano). Leaping ahead to five years later, during WW II, Guido and Dora are married and have a son Giosue (
Giorgio Cantarini). After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the truth of their situation. He tells the boy that they are competing with others to win an armored tank -- so everything from food shortages to tattoos is explained as necessary for participation in the contest.
~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
;)
