Rocco & His Brothers
"Brilliant and overwhelming... Among the classics of the screen." -The New York Times
In sweeping epic style, the award-winning Rocco & His Brothers tells the story of four poor Italian brothers and their mother who leave their country home and move to bustling Milan with hopes of improving their bitter fortune. The family is thrown into chaos when two of the brothers are torn apart by their love for the same woman and their struggles to succeed in a viciously competitive world. French heartthrob Alain Delon is the gentle, idealistic Rocco, and Italian movie star Renato Salvatori is the undisciplined, savagely jealous Simone. French actress Annie Girardot achieved stardom with her role as the prostitute who grows to hate Simone for his possessiveness and falls in love with Rocco.
Internationally renowned director Luchino Visconti (Senso, The Leopard, Death in Venice) combined keenly realistic observations and strong passions to create one of his most satisfying and deeply affecting films. Cut by Italian censors because of its violence, this restored, unedited version presents the film in all its richness, demonstrating why it is a modern classic.
Member Reviews
Visconti Masterpiece - and not bleak!?! - vote4art
This is a cult movie, and if you are a fan of Alain Delon, Visconti or Claudia Cardinale, this is a must. This is a psychological movie where actors express themselves more through gestures than words. It is about the rise and fall of destinies, about family love and betrayal. Do not expect a "bleak" American movie, this is Italian cinema at its best, full of passion and melodrama. Alain Delon is superb and a young Claudia Cardinale looks gorgeous.Good, but Bleak - Loralee
This film examines family loyalties, industrialization of cities and the struggle to better one's self amid this economic surge.
Rocco has 3 other brothers and his anxious mother to care for since the death of his father. The decision is made to move them from a quiet country existence into Milan, Italy, with the hope that more money can be made in the city.
I thought this film was absorbing as Rocco earnestly struggles to provide a good life for his family. He puts all the weight on his shoulders despite the fact that his brothers are quite capable of helping out as well.
I became frustrated as Rocco plays the martyr for his womanizing, alcoholic older brother who keeps messing up while Rocco takes the fall.
To make matters worse they fall in love with the same woman. She is a prostitute who genuinely loves one brother, but becomes more like a pawn in their 'game', than an object of affection. Tragically, this adds to her feelings of self-hatred.
Rocco does not seem to fit in this new world and the film captures how is torn between being loyal to his family and being true to himself.
Don't worry I didn't give away the entire film, there's much to see in this 3 hour saga. It is a solid narrative.a classic - malice
well-told saga of southern family's move to north and their gradual integration.
excellent acting and directing.
explores themes of family ties, duty, sacrifice, love and jealousy. they don't make intelligent movies like this any more. watching this movie is like reading a great novel.
Member Reviews
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Visconti Masterpiece - and not bleak!?! - vote4art
This is a cult movie, and if you are a fan of Alain Delon, Visconti or Claudia Cardinale, this is a must. This is a psychological movie where actors express themselves more through gestures than words. It is about the rise and fall of destinies, about family ...Good, but Bleak - Loralee
This film examines family loyalties, industrialization of cities and the struggle to better one's self amid this economic surge.
Rocco has 3 other brothers and his anxious mother to care for since the death of his father. The decision is made to move ...a classic - malice
well-told saga of southern family's move to north and their gradual integration.
excellent acting and directing.
explores themes of family ties, duty, sacrifice, love and jealousy. they don't make intelligent movies like this any more. watching this ...