1900 (1976)

1900 Poster
Original Title: Novecento

The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.

Film Introduction
The 1976 movie "1900" (also known as "Novecento") is a historic drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, including an ensemble cast consisting of Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda, Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, and Burt Lancaster. The Italian-French epic film is significant for its narrative scope, providing a broad historical panorama of 20th-century Italy, from the death of the old rural feudalism to the full facility of the commercial proletariat.

Plot Summary
The movie opens on 2 essential events at the dawn of the 20th century - the death of the land-owning aristocrat and the birth of his grand son, Alfredo (Robert De Niro), and the birth of Olmo (Gérard Depardieu), the illegitimate kid of a peasant and a worker on Alfredo's estate. As they grow, the boys create a tight bond, sharing experiences and experiences under the stringent social hierarchy.

However, as they maturate, this deep connection is tested by their varying class statuses. Alfredo ends up being a guilt-ridden, passive and hedonistic landowner while Olmo grows into a committed, enthusiastic socialist. In spite of their developing difference in ideologies, both young men discover commonalities in their profound regard for one another and desire for social justice.

Historic Context and Themes
"1900" explores substantial historical occasions such as World War I, the increase of Fascism, Mussolini's March on Rome, World War II and the rise of socialism, through the perspectives of Alfredo and Olmo. This geopolitical background shapes the narrative, with the characters representing the nobility and working class supplying a picture of early 20th-century Italy. The plot highlights the harsh realities of rural peasant life under feudalism and portrays the political battle for social and financial progress.

Among the film's prevailing themes is the struggle in between the class systems. Although Olmo and Alfredo share a close relationship, their diverging paths due to their class distinction is a constant source of tension throughout the movie. One's struggle for income and social justice clashes with the other's way of life of luxury, power and passiveness.

Style and Reception
Bertolucci utilizes a mix of fictional narrative and real historical events to represent the altering societal landscape of Italy. The movie is defined by Bertolucci's cinematic design, mashing up rich cinematography with gritty truth, and uses melodrama to stress the relation between private experiences and bigger socio-political modifications.

Despite its length (over 5 hours), "1900" made respect for its enthusiastic exploration of Italian history and class struggle. The film was acknowledged for its bold release at a time when Italy was coming to grips with political strife, with the world mainly focusing on the glimpses of fascist and communist fights within the country.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "1900" is a cinematic impressive that uses the personal histories and friendship of Alfredo and Olmo as a lens to check out the unfolding political and social improvements in 20th century Italy. The film's powerful mix of compelling characters, historical context, and vibrant imagery offers viewers a detailed window into a rough duration of Italian history.

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