| | | An unforgettable fable that proves love, family and imagination conquer all.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Dolby Digital (5.1), English, Dubbed & Subtitled, French, Dubbed
Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni) used the power of his imagination and sense of humor to win the woman he loves and create a beautiful life for his family. When that life is threatened by Nazi invasion he must rely on this same strength to save his son and wife from certain doom.
Features:
"Making Life Is Beautiful" Featurette
Academy Award TV Spots
Italian Language Track with Sub-titles
English Language Track
Theatrical Trailer
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Widescreen (1.85:1)
"Extraordinary!" The Washington Post
"A modern masterpiece!" Chicago Tribune
Editor's Note
Conjuring keys and hats out of thin air, Guido (Roberto Benigni), a clever Jewish-Italian waiter, successfully courts Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a beautiful local woman, in Fascist pre-WWII Italy. His life, however, is turned upside down a few years later when he, Dora, and their young son, Giosu (Giorgio Cantarini), are sent to a Nazi concentration camp. Refusing to give up hope, Guido tries to protect his son's innocence by pretending that their imprisonment is just an elaborate game, with the grand prize being a tank. For years the box-office champ in Italy and the country's most beloved slapstick comic, the Chaplinesque Benigni took a huge risk with LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Many people worried that the film would be as offensive as plopping a cartoon character in Auschwitz. (A similar work--THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED, a Jerry Lewis film about a comedian in a concentration camp--turned out to be a disaster two decades earlier.) Although LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL did provoke some controversy, many people found the film to be a poignant, tragicomic story that profoundly reaffirmed the humanity of concentration camp victims. The film became the highest grossing foreign language film in the U.S. and established Benigni as an international star.
Plot Summary
In LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, a endearing Jewish-Italian waiter in pre-WWII Italy courts a lovely local woman. A few years later, when he and his idyllic family are taken to a Nazi concentration camp, he uses his magical gifts of humor and romance to see his wife and son through their uncertain days.
| Features | Academy Award TV Commercials | | Theatrical Trailer | | English Language Track | | Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio | | "Making Life Is Beautiful" Featurette |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Buena Vista |
| Release Date: 1/15/2002 |
| Running Time: 114 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1998 | | Catalog ID: 1749003 | | UPC: 00717951003089 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: Italian | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English Dubbed, Italian | | Available Subtitles: English | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1999) |  | Roberto Benigni, Winner, Best Actor | | Nicola Piovani, Winner, Best Music, Original Dramatic Score | | | Roberto Benigni, Nominee, Best Director | | | Gianluigi Braschi, et al., Nominee, Best Picture | | | Roberto Benigni, Vincenzo Cerami, Nominee, Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen | |
American Comedy Awards (1999) | | Roberto Benigni, Winner, Funniest Actor In A Motion Picture | |
Cannes Film Festival (1998) | | Roberto Benigni, Winner, Grand Prize Of The Jury |
| Memorable Quotes| "Buon giorno, principessa!"----Guido (Roberto Benigni) to Dora (Nicoletta Braschi) | | "No spiders or Visigoths allowed."----Guido to his son, Giosu (Giorgio Cantarini) | | "You can lose all your points for any one of three things. One----if you cry. Two----if you ask to see your mother. Three----if you're hungry and ask for a snack! Forget it!"----Guido to Giosu | | "We play the part of the real mean guys who yell."----Guido, supposedly translating a German soldier | | "Don't ask for any lollipops. We eat them all."----Guido, still translating a German soldier | | "They make buttons and soap out of us."----Giosu to Guido | | "Fat, fat, ugly, ugly, all yellow in reality, if you ask me what I am, I answer 'cheep, cheep, cheep.' Walking along I go, 'poo poo.' What am I? Tell me true."----Dr. Lessing (Horst Bucholz) to Guido |
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| | Professional Reviews | Sight and Sound
"...[A] magnificent film....Real emotional strength..." 02/1999 p.46Entertainment Weekly
"...[Benigni] succeeds, to an extraordinary degree, in reviving the neo-Technicolor lushness and affectionate screwball rhythms of postwar Hollywood....A delicate romance spiked with antifascist farce..." 11/06/1998 p.54 Premiere
"...[Benigni] puts a serious spin on his comic genius..." 10/01/1998 p.29 New York Times
"...Mr. Benigni effectively creates a situation in which comedy is courage. And he draws from this an unpretentious, enormously likable film that plays with history both seriously and mischievously..." 10/23/1998 p.E14 Box Office
"...[The film] explores the power of laughter to lift the human spirit even in the face of extreme tragedy..." 07/01/1998 p.125 Los Angeles Times
"...[Benigni is] one of the world's most irresistibly funny people. A mischief-maker percolating with infectious energy and a machine-gun verbal style, he blends an Everyman aura with the ability to infuse his characters with believable innocence..." 10/23/1998 p.C1 The New York Times 9 of 10
...as likely to offend those who haven't seen it as to beguile those who have, [the film] is as stubbornly entertaining as [Benigni], and as passionate, too. It dares to laugh in the face of the unthinkable. And because Benigni can be heart-rending without a trace of maudlin, it works... - Janet Maslin
Reel Views 9 of 10
The central theme of Life Is Beautiful--that people will do whatever is necessary to protect what is most dear to them--is conveyed in a moving and singularly effective manner... it's the depiction of the love and sacrifice of a father for a son that makes [the movie] worthwhile. - James Berardinelli
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| Customer Reviews | ![]() | | Cinematography |  4.5 | | Plot |  5 | | Acting | 4.5 | | Overall Satisfaction | 5 |
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5 of 5 Extraordinary Monday, December 03, 2001
A Viewer from San Antonio, TX
I have never before seen a movie that so perfectly couples a tragedy with tasteful comedy. Roberto Benigni truly created a masterpiece. Was this review helpful?  
5 of 5 One of the best films in the past 20 years Wednesday, February 23, 2000
A Viewer from Chesterfield, Va
This is a great story of love, tragedy and the power of humor. I can't say enough about this movie, it is one of the best I have ever seen! Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Monday, February 07, 2000
Ethan O from NYC, NY
This is one of the greatest movies I have seen in the last few years. It's clean, not unnecessarily vulgar or crude, and it's thought provoking. The protagonist is a great example of delightful cheerfulness and living life so that it IS beautiful for everyone. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A great film Thursday, February 03, 2000
kel_zhang@hotmail.com from Chicago, Illinois
I've seen this film in cinema not by DVD. I like it very much. It is a tragedy but with humor mood through the whole play. The plot and acting are very impressive. I'll buy the DVD as collection. You will not regret to have it. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A GREAT movie! Monday, January 17, 2000
Joe from Providence, RI
It starts out looking like a boring cheese-ball flick. After a half hour, you realize that this movie really has a very serious plot handled in a very original way. I really enjoyed it. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 The best movie I've seen in years!!! Wednesday, January 05, 2000
Duane Gabor from Arlington, VA
This movie should be required viewing. Benini has created something amazing, unique, and special. It's beautifully shot, superbly acted, and tells a tremendously powerful story. I've shown movie this to friends, and every single one loved it... Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Life is Beautiful: Two Thumbs Up--Way Up! Thursday, December 16, 1999
bstelling@yahoo.com from Langley, WA
This movie is one of the best I've seen. It is so cleverly written that it will make you laugh and cry. I first saw this movie in the theatre with subtitles. At first the subtitles were distracting, but the movie was so captivating that after a while I didn't realize I was reading them. You will not be disappointed with this movie. I would not suggest it for young kids--way to graphic. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Life is Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saturday, December 11, 1999
Anibal Garcia from New York, New York
This is the must interseting flim I have ever seen in my entire life. When my wife told me about it I thought he comes another chick flik boy WAS I EVER MORE WRONG I have never been more worng about any thing in my life this move is wounderful and makes y Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A Touching Tale Monday, December 06, 1999
P. Yeh from San Francisco, CA
This is an absolute must-see (even for those who hate subtitled movies)! Roberto is the best screen-dad I have ever come across. The movie flows like a fairytale; therefore, there are some cheezy scenes, but I would still count it as one of the best movies I've ever seen. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 a magical story Sunday, December 05, 1999
cprosapio from Chicago, Illinois
My husband hates, 'movies with subtitles'. Yet he loved this one. It is a story of passion and human triumph. A story about a simple man who sets his sites on what he wants and manages to get it through sheer passion and tenacity. A must see. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Amazing! Thursday, December 02, 1999
Jen Penry from Columbus, GA
This movie is one of the most moving and wonderful movies I have ever seen. It is just such an emotional and powerful movie and it really makes you think about life in a different way. Don't miss out on this EVER SO Oscar worthy film!!! Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Best foreign movie yet Wednesday, December 01, 1999
Dan from Fairfax
Roberto Benigni is extraordinary in this movie. He shows what acting is all about with his emotions and incredible performance. The movie tells the story of a honest family's life. The hard times and great times they go through. It makes the viewer realize that life is truely beautiful and that we should be thankful for all that we have. Was this review helpful?
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
5 of 5 Tuesday, November 30, 1999
debaker2@excite.com from Tomball Texas
This film must be seen to be believed. Beautiful is the best word to describe it, and don't let the fact that it's in Italian with english subtitles stop you, it trancends language. You will follow it, understand it and love it! (plus it has an english language mode for those who must cheat! hee hee) Do yourself a favor and give yourself this gift! It should have won all the awards at the oscars, not just three! Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Amazing!!! Wednesday, November 17, 1999
zanglerska@yahoo.com from Texas Tech
Roberto shows himself to be one of the finest actors of our time. Everything from the music to the language to the town is 'Beutiful' (I've been to the town they filmed it in, it is truly amazing). Well worth the money. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Saturday, November 06, 1999
Lin Kiat Yap from Ann Arbor, MI
If there is only 1 foreign film you want to watch, this is it. Beautifully written. Definitely an all time classic for yrs to come.
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