← Back to results
1900
Novecento
1976 317 min France, Germany, Italy R 18+
★7.3
Drama, History
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.
Budget:
$9M
Starring
Robert De Niro
Actor
Gérard Depardieu
Actor
Dominique Sanda
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
Novecento is widely regarded as a monumental historical epic that uses the diverging lives of two childhood friends to capture the political and social evolution of 20th-century Italy. While critics and viewers frequently praise its visual grandeur, acting, and immersive scope, it remains a polarizing work due to its explicit content and massive, demanding runtime.
| Cinematography | Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro provides a brilliant, atmospheric visual identity that remains a standout technical achievement. | |
| Acting | Donald Sutherland delivers a chilling, iconic performance as a sadistic fascist, widely considered one of cinema's most effective villains. | |
| Acting | Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu anchor the epic with career-defining, deeply embodied performances that define the film's class-based narrative. | |
| Theme | The film functions as a sweeping, Tolstoy-esque epic that successfully weaves complex historical transitions into personal, lifelong relationships. | |
| Runtime | The five-hour runtime is a point of contention: some find it a necessary, seamless, and rewarding experience, while others find the middle sections exhausting and prone to pacing issues. | |
| Originality | The film’s explicit and naturalistic depictions of sexuality and violence are seen by some as essential to its artistic truth, while others criticize them as gratuitous or distracting. |