I saw this film on the Bank Holiday , remembering I'd seen it before , but wanted a refresher. Anyway the film was set in Italy at the turn of the 20th century. Italy was still by far and away an agricultural country. Held by tradition and class. Burt Lancaster was great as the grandfather , who although was the owner or boss. He seemed to have a very philosophical and benign view of the world. One great scene was when one of the labourers daughter joins him in the milking hut , and tells her that a mans idea of disaster is not the loss of a limb or the death of someone close, but when a man is struck down by impotency. Shame viagra wasn't available. The story briskly moves on to the rise of fascism and how the bosses who met in the Church conspired to destroy the growing force of socialism and communism. What follows is disturbing to see. How the true and real nature of fascism is shown , with scenes of murder , decadence and unashamed greed. Resistance is broken among the peasents and friendships are strained as the chaos and surrealism begins to take control of the principle characters. The idealism and humanity that was displayed in childhood are somehow eradicated as the inevitable class conflict overwhelms a community that in all ends and purposes have suffered much under the murderous and villany of Attillo ( played by Donald Sutherland).
Anyway if you have four hours of your life to kill , 1900 is well worth a view , but dont expect the Mrs or girlfriend to sit through it with you , only unless she is well into war , politics and serious drama.
Anyway if you have four hours of your life to kill , 1900 is well worth a view , but dont expect the Mrs or girlfriend to sit through it with you , only unless she is well into war , politics and serious drama.