408. Il Gattopardo

Il Gattopardo
The Leopard
1963
Directed by Luchino Visconti

We have hit a string of movies that I have never even heard of, let alone seen which is why the reviews have been pretty sporadic as of late.  However, with the holidays coming up expect to see a lot of posts coming your way.

So like I said, I had never heard of this movie before so I was shocked when I researched it and realized that it is one of the most acclaimed films of all time.  Where the hell have I been?  I am ashamed that I called myself a film buff!

Okay, so here is another secret.  I thought the film was really dull.  Don't get me wrong; it was completely beautiful.  You can look at the above picture and see that it is a movie filled with vibrant sets and gorgeous colors.  So technically and cinematically beautiful?  Of course.  Story wise? Eh...

You will notice that there is no plot summary here.  That is because I was so bored that I really didn't know what was going on.  I would space out for about thirty minutes and then I would check out the internet to see what I missed.  However, there are very few plot summaries on this movie which does not bode well for the lazy viewer.  Hey, if I am going to be guilted into watching this film, at least help me out.

Okay, so I take full responsibility for this one.  I should have paid more attention and not playing with my gummy bears and making them act out stories.  This will definitely be one that I have to come back to when the list is over.  But for now..

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Visconti initially bullied Burt Lancaster on set since he wasn't his first choice for the role.  However, once Lancaster stood up to him in front of everyone, they developed a close friendship.

Warren Beatty, Laurence Olivier, and Marlon Brando were all considered for roles.

Trailer:

355. Rocco e i suoi fratelli

Rocco e i suoi fratelli
Rocco and His Brothers
1960
Directed by Luchino Visconti

I am back from a month long hiatus, which came conveniently right after the 1950s Oscars, so we all got a nice break before we dive into the sixties.  I was in Maui, where I went in a helicopter, rode a horse, and sustained a serious sunburn that everyone and their mother had to comment on whenever they saw me.  It was a fun vacation but I missed these blogs and am glad to be back.

I look at the sixties like a fresh start for me and Italian films. We are finally saying goodbye to neorealism and honestly, I could not be happier.  However, this film failed to impress me and once again, I lose another chance at finding an Italian movie I like.

This film clocks in at around three hours and I was terribly bored the entire time.  I am in a weird mood today and would have liked to have watched a film that cheered me up or, at the very least, kept me entertained.  Unfortunately, this movie just followed the same despicable characters for three hours.

It would take me too long to write a summary, but here are a few "highlights".  Rocco and Simone fall in love with the same prostitute and Simone ends up raping her.  I guess that means he won, because Rocco then gives her up.  Lovely.  The film makes up for though by having terrible actors.

So boring and disturbing.  I had to double check to see if I was watching Fellini film.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

One of Francis Ford Coppola's favorite films.

Footage was cut for US release since it was deemed too violent.

279. Senso

Senso
1954
Directed by Luchino Visconti

Is this film a must see?  Absolutely not.  It is dull as hell, all the characters are annoying, the dubbing is off, and the acting is overdone.  Yeah, this definitely is not going to be a rave.

This movie is about a countess who has an affair with an Austrian officer, betraying her country in the process. You can tell just from that sentence that this is going to be melodramatic and over the top.  That style can be fun, but only when it is pulled off with great acting.  Unfortunately, here, it is not.

Add to that, this movie is just plain sloppy.  The editing sucks and like I said, the audio/visual is unsynchronized.  Why this movie is on the list puzzles me.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Farley Granger had a fight with Visconti toward the end of filming and returned to the United States.  Visconti had a stand in film Granger's last scenes.

165. Ossessione

Ossessione
Obsession
1943
Directed by Luchino Viscounti

This is one of those films that I feel is entirely unnecessary to put on the list.  The screenplay of this movies was completely stolen from The Postman Always Rings Twice.  Not only is this film a blatant piece of plagiarism, but The Postman Always Rings Twice is on the list in the near future.  Why do we need both?


For those of you don't know, this movie centers on a tramp who comes to live with a beautiful woman and her entirely unsympathetic husband.  She falls in love with him (it is hard to tell if he falls in love with her since this actor is completely devoid of emotion) and, as in all film noir movies, their love cannot be without murder.


The pacing is slow and the actors don't carry the intensity that Lana Turner and John Garfield did.  Overall just a worse version of a future film; I have no idea why this would be considered essential viewing.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:


Kept off American screens until 1976 due to copyright issues.


Films negatives were destroyed by fascists.