Movies / Life is Beautiful (1997) aka La vita è bella
Runtime: 116 min
Languages: English German Italian
Countries: Italy
The film is a Chaplinesque fable about the power of imagination set against the stark reality of World War II Europe. The film combines satire, physical comedy, social commentary and a touch of the surreal into a uniquely moving story of love. At the center of the fable is Guido, an enchanting individual with childlike innocence and grand dreams of owning his own book shop. It's 1939, and he has come to the Tuscan town of Arrezzo with his poet friend Ferruccio. With unabashed humor and joy, the two seek fortune and romance, ignoring the growing anti-Semitism and Fascist government that surrounds them. Guido falls in love with Dora, a beautiful young school teacher, and a fairy tale romance ensues.
| Keywords (65) |
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| serendipity critically acclaimed bookstore fascist holocaust waiter racial slur hotel restaurant charades More Keywords » |
| Directors (1) | Credit |
|---|---|
| Roberto Benigni | ... |
| Writers (2) | Credit |
|---|---|
| Roberto Benigni | (story and screenplay) |
| Vincenzo Cerami | (story and screenplay) & |
| Composers (1) | Credit |
|---|---|
| Nicola Piovani | ... |
| Editors (1) | Credit |
|---|---|
| Simona Paggi | ... |
| Cinematographers (1) | Credit |
|---|---|
| Tonino Delli Colli | (director of photography) |
| Actors (52) | Credit |
|---|---|
| Aaron Craig | U.S. Tank Soldier |
| Alessandra Grassi | Teacher |
| Alfiero Falomi | King |
| Amerigo Fontani | Rodolfo |
| Andrea Nardi | Tappezziere |
| Andrea Tidona | Grand Hotel Doorman |
| Antonio Fommei | School Janitor |
| Antonio Prester | Bruno (as Nino Prester) |
| Carlotta Mangione | Eleonora |
| Claudio Alfonsi | Amico Rodolfo |
| Concetta Lombardo | Gigliola |
| Cristiana Porchiella | Old-Maid Teacher |
| Daniela Fedke | German Auxilliary |
| Dirk K. van den Berg | German Soldier (as Dirk Karsten van den Berg) |
| Ennio Consalvi | General Graziosi |
| Ernst Frowein Holger | German Sergeant |
| Francesca Messinese | Woman at the Opera |
| Francesco Guzzo | Vittorino |
| Franco Mescolini | School Inspector |
| Giancarlo Cosentino | Ernesto - Waiter |
| Gil Baroni | Prefect |
| Gina Rovere | Governante Dora |
| Giorgio Cantarini | Giosué Orefice |
| Giovanna Villa | City Hall Secretary |
| Giuliana Lojodice | School Principal |
| Giustino Durano | Eliseo Orefice |
| Günther Pfanzelter | German Soldier |
| Hannes Hellmann | German Corporal |
| Horst Buchholz | Doctor Lessing (as Horst Bucholz) |
| Inger Lise Middelthon | German Auxilliary |
| James Schindler | Tedesco - German Guard |
| Jürgen Bohn | German Orderly at Party (as Jurgen Bohn) |
| Laura Susanne Ruedeberg | German Auxilliary |
| Lidia Alfonsi | Guicciardini |
| Margarita Lucia Krauss | Female Soldier at Children's Dinner |
| Maria Letizia | Woman #2 at Grand Hotel |
| Maria Rita Macellari | Queen |
| Marisa Paredes | Madre di Dora |
| Massimo Bianchi | Man with Key |
| Massimo Salvianti | Bookstore Polceman |
| Nicoletta Braschi | Dora |
| Omero Antonutti | Narrator (voice) (uncredited) |
| Patrizia Lazzarini | Woman #1 at Grand Hotel |
| Pietro De Silva | Bartolomeo |
| Raffaella Lebboroni | Elena |
| Richard Sammel | German Lieutenant at Station |
| Robert Camero | German Executioner |
| Roberto Benigni | Guido Orefice |
| Sergio Bini Bustric | Ferruccio Papini (as Sergio Bustric) |
| Stefano Frangipani | Card Player |
| Verena Buratti | German Auxilliary |
| Wolfgang Hillinger | German Major at Party |