Review of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1900

My initial reaction to the film directly contradicts what the New York Times reviewer says in his review. The reviewer calls the film a "failure" and I certainly disagree with this opinion. I think the film is an epic of first rate kind. The story is compelling. The performances are great and thephotography is astounding another great picture from the renowned cinematographer Vittario Storaro. Many of the scenes left me astounded. Another triumph for Bertolucci.

Certainly one of the best depictions of twentieth century Italian history, 1900 begins with two boys born on the same day. One is of peasant stock, the other of the gentry. Through them the audience experiences the major theme of the film, that of class conflict in the Italian countryside. In the small, rural village, we see Italian history on the micro level. WWI, industrialization, the rise and fall of the fascists, are all context for 1900.

Perhaps the best performance is played by a villain. Donald Sutherland who plays Attila, the head of the fascists in the village. I thought his portrayal of Atila was compelling. Bertolucci's depicts the fascists as devious, evil, child murderers and rapists, engendering a hatred for the blackshirts.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. The audio was spotty in some scenes. The length, about five hours, was not a hindrance. 1900 was an epic story about Italy comparable to Gone With the Wind or Brideshead Revisited; all tales of change, loss, and history. Like Scarlett's family after the Civil War, the Padrone's family has to endure change, hard times, and eventual loss. The story of the two boys growing up together is similar to Brideshead Revisited in that the two characters of both productions come of age together dealing with the tumultuous times of the World War, Depression, and changing social class structure. Yet Bertolucci alludes to the debate about class conflict in the final scene of 1900. He shows De Niro and Depardieu fighting as old men. In the end De Niro's character committs suicide by lying in front of a train. Perhaps this is Bertolucci's statement about change coming to Italian society. That technological change as embodied by the train will forcefully change the class structure of Italy.

Great Film! Bertolucci is one of the best directors!