Amedeo Nazzari Movies
Italian leading man Amedeo Nazzari entered films in 1935, hitting his stride three years later as the title character in Luciano Serra, Pilot. At his peak, he made up to five films per year, few of which lost money. He gently chided his virile, romantic screen image as the self-absorbed movie star in Fellini's Nights of Cabiria (1957). Few of Nazzari's Italian-starring vehicles were widely distributed in the U.S., though he was a familiar character actor in such international productions as The Best of Enemies (1961) and The Valachi Papers (1972); he also occasionally functioned as a producer and screenwriter. Amedeo Nazzari was the father of actress Evalina Nazzari. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1976
- PG
Singer and actress Liza Minnelli teamed up with her father, legendary director Vincente Minnelli, to make this evocative drama. Nina (Liza Minnelli) is a popular film star who, in the midst of a press conference, finds herself remembering her life before her big break, when she worked as a chambermaid at an Italian hotel which had seen better days. In the course of her duties, Nina meets Countessa Sanziani (Ingrid Bergman), an aging and eccentric woman who regales Nina with tales of her glamorous younger days. As the Countessa tells her more stories of her days of wealth and adventure, Nina imagines herself living out the same exciting stories, and soon the Countessa encourages her to find the courage to live out her own dreams. A Matter Of Time also featured another family team-up; Ingrid Bergman's daughter Isabella Rossellini has a small part as a nun attending to the ailing Countessa. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liza Minnelli, Ingrid Bergman, (more)
When an impoverished but devoted Italian wife's husband falls ill and she is forced to take his place in a dangerous smuggling operation, she finds her will tested as she makes her way through the harsh landscape towards the French border in director Giorgio Pastina's downbeat drama. As night falls and Alina braves the brutal winter in hopes of making the delivery without incident, her grim situation turns dire when a brutish smuggler named Marco claims the beautiful young courier as his own. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1952
An all-star cast graces this Italian "omnibus" feature. The film consists of eight short stories, each based on nostalgic literary efforts. Linking the various stories is bookseller Aldo Fabrizi, who passes the time by reading the works dramatized herein. In "The Excelsior Ball," dancer Alba Arnova arouses the libido of several observers. In "Less Than a Day," a three-hour train delay wreaks havoc on the romance between Arnova and Andrea Checchi. In "Sardinian Drummer Boy," the title character (Enzo Cerusico) becomes an unexpected hero on the battlefield. In "Matter of Interest," two farmers (Arnoldo Foa and Folco Lulli) quarrel over a compost pile. In "The Idyll," two very young people (Maurizio Di Nardo and Geraldina Pariniello) fall in love. "Potpourri of Songs" delivers on its title through the musical versatility of Barbara Florian and Elio Pandolfi. "The Trial of Frine" finds accused murderess Gina Lollobrigida being defended by colorful lawyer Vittorio De Sica. And in "The Trap," an accusatory husband (Amedeo Nazzari) drives his far-from-innocent wife (Elis Cegani) into an act of extreme desperation. Also known as In Olden Days, Altri Tempi was distributed worldwide by RKO Radio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aldo Fabrizi, Enzo Staiola, (more)
- 1950
Canadian-born actress Lois Maxwell, best known for her portrayal of Miss Moneypenny in the "James Bond" films, heads the cast of the Italian costume melodrama Amori e Veleni. Maxwell plays Sweden's Queen Christina, who makes a diplomatic visit to Rome. The queen's former lover, Count Santinelli (Amedeo Nazzari), falls in love with a Roman lady-in-waiting. Though deeply hurt, Christina takes the old "duty over love" route. The film's English-language title is Loves and Poisons, a reference to the Borgia-like intrigues taking place in the background. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lois Maxwell, Amedeo Nazzari, (more)
- 1960
In this occasionally amusing frolic, Gina Lollobrigida plays a sexy widow who returns to Italy from New York following the death of her husband. Her wealth and good looks entice all the men in her small village except for the one she really wants, the town blacksmith (Dale Robertson). Giuseppe Rotunno's warm cinematography and the irresistible Lollobrigida make this one worth seeing, while the screenplay (by Ettore Margadonna, Luciana Corda, and Joseph Stefano) manages to be clever without being smirky. Look for a funny bit by Vittorio DeSica, who supervised some scenes, as a loquacious priest. This film is also known as both Anna of Brooklyn and Fast and Sexy. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gina Lollobrigida, Dale Robertson, (more)
- 1958
Anna may be from Brooklyn, but this medium-budget domestic drama was filmed and financed in Italy. The title character, played by Gina Lollobrigida, returns from Flatbush to her small village in Italy in search of a husband. Among her suitors are Dale Robertson and Vittorio DeSica, indicating that the producers were hoping to "click" in box-offices on both sides of the Atlantic. Anna finally chooses the Right Man, with plenty of time for "sampling" along the way. The English-language scenes in Anna of Brooklyn were directed by Reginald Denham, while the Italian sequences were helmed by Carlo Lasticati. The film was distributed in the US by Columbia (who bought the picture from RKO) under the title Fast and Sexy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
This Spanish film was officially inspired by the Prosper Merimee novel (and Bizet opera) Carmen. Instead of working in a cigarette factory, however, Carmen (Sarita Montiel) has become a cabaret singer. She and her lover, Napoleonic sergeant Jose (Maurice Ronet), end up joining a Spanish resistance movement fronted by Antonio (George Mistral), leading to a story marked by tragedy and betrayal, just like the Merimee original. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarita Monteil, Jorge Mistral, (more)
- 1951
Donne e Briganti (Women and Bandits) was the second of two Mario Soldati-directed films released in Europe during the last week of June, 1951 (the first was Je Suis de la Revue). Set in the early 19th century, the film recounts the Robin Hood-like adventures of bandit Michele Pezza (Amedeo Nazzari), better known as Fra Diavolo. This same character was depicted along more villainous lines in the famous 1830 opera by Auber, which was filmed in 1933 as The Devil's Brother, with Dennis King in the title role and Laurel and Hardy as comic relief. In Donne e Briganti, Fra Diavolo is his own comic relief, his tongue firmly in cheek as he robs from the rich, gives to the poor, and takes time out to romance his wife Marietta (Maira Mauban) and mistress Flora (Jacqueline Pierreux). According to this film, Fra Diavolo was also something of a patriot, opposing the invading forces of France. Sumptuously produced, Donne e Briganti falters only in the indecisive camera work by Mario Montuori. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amedeo Nazzari, Maria Mauban, (more)
- 1946
The Italian Fedora was based on the Victorien Sardou play of the same name. Luisa Forida plays the title character, who falls in love neither wisely nor well with Russian painter Loris (Amedeo Nazzari). Osvaldo Valenti is seen as the irresponsible Count Vladimir, to whom Fedora has been promised in marriage. Though the story is a tragic one, audiences were so taken by the opulence of the production and the magnificence of Umberto Giordano's musical score that the impact of the unhappy ending was considerably softened. American critics were much taken by Fedora, noting that the film lacked the ponderous pretentious of most like-vintage European costume dramas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amedeo Nazzari
- 1939
The title of this Italian film translates as Fireworks, and indeed what happens in the course of the story is quite explosive at times. Amedeo Nazzari stars as a handsome young count who, after several years in New York, returns to Italy with nary a lire to his name. The villagers in his home town believe that the Count is still wealthy, thus they extend him unlimited credit upon his return. Mario Porelli co-stars as the Count's secretary, who takes advantage of the villagers' generosity to make a fortune in the stock market, thereby replenishing our hero's family coffers. The Count is also able to avoid a marriage to a rich but homely heiress and find happiness with his true love. The film was based on a popular stage farce by Luigi Charelli. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amedeo Nazzari, Luigi Chiarini, (more)
- 1937
Based on stage comedy by Alberto Colatuoni, I Fratelli Castiglioni is the story of four brothers. A nasty, avaricious bunch, the brothers Castiglioni are thrilled when their uncle wins two million lire in the national lottery. Alas, dear Uncle dies before he can reveal the hiding place of the lucky lottery ticket. This sets off a frantic search, with all four brothers literally climbing over one another to locate the precious ticket. And when the rest of the family gets in on the act? Mama Mia! I Fratelli Castiglioni is at its best when it veers into black-comedy territory, as in the scene where the four brothers dig up Uncle's grave in hopes of rifling his pockets -- only to discover that someone has beaten them to it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ugo Ceseri, Camillo Pilotto, (more)
- 1949
Filmed in 1946 as Il Bandido, The Bandit came to the U.S. in 1949 on the strength of the worldwide popularity of star Anna Magnani. The title character is Ernesto (Amadeo Nazzari), who turns to crime after suffering shell shock during WW II. Magnani plays Ernesto's faithful girlfriend Lydia. Their relationship is as foredoomed as Ernesto himself, who comes to grief through an extreme act of self-sacrifice. The Bandit was the third directorial effort of Alberto Lattuada. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Magnani, Amedeo Nazzari, (more)
- 1952
Il Brigante di Tacca del Lupo represented another move away from neorealism into sheer commercialism by Italian filmmker Pietro Germi. The story is set in the 1860s, when the Northern and Southern regions of Italy were forcibly assembled into a unified whole. A bandit loyal to the idea of Southern sovereignty wreaks havoc upon the forces of Northern Italy. In depicting the exploits of the bandit and the diligence of his military pursuers, director Germi is careful not to take sides, mirroring the political confusion rampant in Italy at the time of the story. When distributed to the U.S., Il Brigante di Tacca del Lupo was advertised along the lines of a Civil War epic --which, for all intents and purposes, it was. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amedeo Nazzari, Cosetta Greco, (more)
- 1951
Amedeo Nazzari stars as Peppe Musolino, a good-natured woodcutter wrongly accused of murder. Sentenced to 20 years in prison, Musolino escapes to wreak vengeance upon the actual culprit. In the process, he develops a reputation as a bloodthirsty bandit, knocking off the witnesses who perjured themselves on behalf of the real murderer. Filmed on location in the Calabrian Hills, Il Briganto Musolino is nothing if not exciting, thanks to the directorial know-how of veteran helmsman Mario Camerini. The film served to introduce American audiences to formidable Italian leading lady Silvana Mangano. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Silvana Mangano, Amedeo Nazzari, (more)
- 1938
Il Conte di Brechard was adapted by director Mario Bonnard from the popular play by Gioacchino Forzano. It all begins in the days before the French Revolution, when the titular count (Amedeo Nazzari) expels his servant Perault (Ugo Ceseri) from his estate. But after the Reign of Terror, positions are reversed and Perault returns triumphantly as the Count's master. Revelling in his newfound authority, Perault orders his own daughter Maria (Louisa Ferida) to marry the Count. The plan is to have Maria denounce her new husband, giving Perault an excuse to arrest his former employer and assume total control of the estate. The ex-servant's plans are thwarted when Maria falls genuinely in love with the likable aristocrat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amedeo Nazzari, Luisa Ferida, (more)
- 1964
Maruchelli (Amedeo Nazzari) is an Italian expatriate who has made his fortune in Argentina. When he throws a lavish party to impress his Italian guests, his stone-faced friend Stefano (Nino Manfredi) feels the sting of not being as successful as his host. Vittorio Gassman co-stars with Silvana Pampanini in this contrasting social comedy drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio Gassman, Amedeo Nazzari, (more)
- 1949
Barely seen in the US at the time of its release, the Italian Lure of the Sila (IL Lupo Della Sila) became a television mainstay in the 1960s. Vittorio Gassman plays a man whose life is ruined when he is accused of murder. Gassman's tragedy is broadcast throughout Italy, "glorified" in song and story. Forced to assume a new identity, Gassman's sister Silvana Magnano quietly plans her revenge. It's best to see Lure of the Sila in an uncut, subtitled version; the dialogue in the 72-minute English-dubbed version is downright puerile at times, totally unworthy of this compelling melodrama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Silvana Mangano, Amedeo Nazzari, (more)
- 1949
In this suspenseful crime drama, two conniving crooks continually double-cross each other. Eventually their victim comes back to get revenge upon them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
