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The period between 1943 and 1950 in the history of Italian cinema is dominated by the realistic atmosphere of neorealism, which is defined as a period of time of Italian post-war film . It had great impact on Film Noir and French New Wave Cinema. This Golden Age of Italian cinema influenced film directors all over the world.
The Bicycle Thief" directed by Vittorio De Sica (1948)
One of the most recognized films of this era is "The Bicycle Thief." The film follows a man (Lamberto Maggiorani) wandering the streets to find his stolen bicycle. Attempting to steal another bicycle he is caught and labeled as a thief himself. This film captures post-war Italy and the daily desperation they were facing. It is interesting to note that Maggiorani was a factory worker before getting the role. All the scenes were shot on location, grounding the film in realism.
Roberto Rossellini directed "Stromboli" starring Ingrid Bergman. (1950)
Federico Fellini directed "The Nights of Cabiria" (1957)
Neorealism became famous globally in 1946 with "Rome, Open City." Directed by Robert Rossellini, this movie was filmed during the time period directly following the Nazi occupation of this region of Italy (1945.) Rossellini shot mostly outdoors amidst the war aftermath. The war was still going on in the rest of Italy! This movie was filmed using actual left-over tanks, soldiers, extras from the streets. . . It is all real! This gives the viewer an eerie feeling. Rossellini captured it. . .the post war surreal reality that people found themselves in. Definitely a movie to add to your viewing list!
The screenplay of Rome Open City was written by Sergio Amidel with the help of Federico Fellini in his kitchen. Shooting started on January 18, 1945. They had to use abandoned film scraps found here and there. Rossellini, little by little, sold all he owned so the film could go on.
Audiences reacted with enthusiasm and it became the first hit of the year. It was the beginning of "neorealism" --an opening onto reality, onto the human predicament.
Roberto Rossellini
The neorealistic movement created a new audience for stories of lower-class struggles. But the movement fell apart in the early 1950s, as Italy began to show signs of recovery and there was a demand for more positive films.
Here is a list of movies from this time period:
1. Ossessione (Luchino Visconti, 1942)
2. Open City (Roberto Rossellini, 1945)
3. Shoeshine (Vittorio De Sica, 1946)
4. Passion (Roberto Rossellini, 1946)
5. Germany Year Zero (Roberto Rossellini, 1948)
6. Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio De Sica, 1948)
7. The Earth Trembles (Luchino Visconti, 1948)
8. Bitter Rice (Giuseppe De Santis, 1952)
9. Stromboli ( Roberto Rossellini, 1950)
10. Bellissima (Luchino Visconti, 1951)
11. Miracle in Milan (Vittorio De Sica, 1951)
12. Rome 11:00 (Giuseppe De Santis, 1952)
13. Europe '51 (Roberto Rossellini, 1952)
14. Umberto D. (Vittorio De Sica, 1952) many historians date the end of the neorealist movement with the public attacks on this film.
15. Journey to Italy (Robert Rossellini, 1954)
16. Nights of Cairia (Federico Fellini, 1957)
This "Golden Age" of film making was created out of need and struggle, nearly impossible circumstances. Maybe that is why it is so special and inspires filmmakers of today to study it with reverence.
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