The Conformist (1970) Reviews

The Conformist (1970)
Member Rating:  
The conformist is 1930s Italian Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a coward who has spent his life accommodating others so that he can "belong." Marcello agrees to kill a political refugee, on orders from the Fascist government, even though the victim-to-be is his college mentor. The film is a character study of the kind of person who willingly "conforms" to the ideological fashions of his day. In this case, director Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that Marcello's desire to conform is rooted in his latent homosexuality. In addition to its strong storyline, the film is critically revered for the astonishing production design by Nedo Azzini, which, together with Vittorio Storaro's camerawork, recreates the atmosphere of Fascist Italy with some of the most complex visual compositions ever seen on film, filled with highly stylized uses of angles, shapes, and shadows. The Conformist was cut by five crucial minutes when first released in the US; those missing moments were restored in the 1994 reissue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Jean-Louis Trintignant, Dominique Sanda, (more)
Director(s):
Bernardo Bertolucci
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(11 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

William L S.

This movie is one of the most stunning visual films ever, and remains one of the most important political statements on film. You will often see its influence on later generations of directors; the shot of blowing autumn leaves that pans up to a body under a car has often been copied by other directors giving visual homage to Bertolucci's classic. The cast is perfect. Easily my favorite Italian film among many great ones. Don't miss this one, well worth the wait.

Yes   |   No


GUSTAVO J.

Great direction and cinematography .But the story didint capture my attention.

Yes   |   No


Shawn S.

Best direction and cinematography in a film. Very visual and compelling.

Yes   |   No


John M.

Good photography and acting, and period piece, but the story is difficult to follow and plodding.

Yes   |   No


Robert B.

rest up before watching cause it can be tedious and opaque - avant garde in its day ....

Yes   |   No


Karl B.

This movie did not live up to my expectations. It seemed to try too hard to be selfconsciously surrealistic. While the cinematography is interesting, the story and characters fail to engage.

Yes   |   No


Robin B.

Exquisite film - beautifully acted. Jean-Louis Trintignant and Dominique Sanda give heart breaking and infuriating portrayals. I have read a couple of member reviews who complain this film is difficult to follow. Frankly, I don't get that. It's a fairly straight forward tale. Important politically and artistically, it's not to be missed. "Kill the beautiful butterfly!"

Yes   |   No


David H.

Being an Italian film made in 1970 there is a certain background knowledge the film assumes the viewer has. Without an understanding of the socio-political environment in Italy and probably Europe in the post-war era the viewer will be lost in the symbolism used by the director. I did not have the requisite historical context of the film and although I could appreciate the characters I could not identify with their internal conflict. Historians of the era would probably love the movie. I did not.

Yes   |   No


Cary B.

Essentially unwatchable. This is some weird genre of avant garde that leaves one scratching one's head.

Yes   |   No


Rosemary S.

This movie is very beautiful to watch.Photographed beautifully. Some absolutely stunning images. But the story was over my head or something,. Marcello just wants to be like everybody else. Yeah? Big Deal!

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (11)
     
    William L S.

    This movie is one of the most stunning visual films ever, and remains one of the most important political statements on film. You will often see its influence on later generations of directors; the shot of blowing autumn leaves that pans up to a body under a car has often been copied by other directors giving visual homage to Bertolucci's classic. The cast is perfect. Easily my favorite Italian film among many great ones. Don't miss this one, well worth the wait.

    Yes   |   No

     
    GUSTAVO J.

    Great direction and cinematography .But the story didint capture my attention.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Shawn S.

    Best direction and cinematography in a film. Very visual and compelling.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 11 Reviews
       

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