Top Italian Directors

Federico Fellini is often regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in Italian cinema. Known for his distinctive style that blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness, Fellini's films like 8 1/2 and Amarcord are celebrated for their surrealist elements [2:3][4:12]. His work is considered a departure from Italian Neo-Realism, moving towards more surreal storytelling [2:4].

Sergio Leone

Sergio Leone is renowned for his contributions to the Spaghetti Western genre, with classics such as Once Upon a Time in America, which is noted for its critical view of gangster life [4:3]. Leone's films are characterized by their epic scope and innovative use of music and cinematography, making him a staple in discussions about top Italian directors [4:5].

Luchino Visconti

Luchino Visconti is another key figure in Italian cinema, known for his luxurious and detailed productions. Films like Rocco and His Brothers showcase his ability to blend realism with theatricality [2:2]. Visconti's work often explores themes of class struggle and decadence, reflecting his aristocratic background [1].

Vittorio De Sica

A pioneer of Italian Neo-Realism, Vittorio De Sica directed seminal works such as Bicycle Thieves and Umberto D. These films are lauded for their portrayal of post-war Italy and the struggles of ordinary people [2:4]. De Sica's influence on the genre is profound, and his films continue to be studied and appreciated for their emotional depth and social commentary [1:2].

Dario Argento

Dario Argento is celebrated for his contributions to the horror and thriller genres, particularly within the Giallo subgenre. Films like Suspiria are noted for their vivid visual style and haunting scores [4:6]. Argento's work has a cult following, and he remains a significant figure in Italian genre filmmaking [1:1].

Other Notable Directors

The Italian film landscape is rich with diverse talents. Mario Bava and Lucio Fulci are recognized for their impact on horror and thriller genres [2:8][4:1]. Contemporary directors like Matteo Garrone and Alice Rohrwacher continue to push boundaries with films that explore modern themes and narratives [1][1:4]. The breadth of Italian cinema includes contributions from directors across various movements and styles, including commedia all’italiana, spaghetti western, and giallo [3:2].

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POST SUMMARY • [1]

Summarize

Who are the best Italian directors?

Posted by ScrawnyMatt · in r/movies · 5 years ago

10 upvotes on reddit

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ORIGINAL POST

That is a good question, as am Italian and I would know what are the main name here.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Luchino Visconti and Sergio Leone (easy choices, I guess). I respect so much Federico Fellini, even if he's my favourite one, as well as Ettore Scola and Bernardo Bertolucci.

The contemporary director I respect the most is Matteo Garrone.

9 replies

VictorBlimpmuscle · 5 years ago

Vittorio De Sica is my favorite - Umberto D and Bicycle Thieves are amazing.

9 upvotes on reddit

Typical_Humanoid · 5 years ago

Right you are. I hate that I forgot him.

3 upvotes on reddit

PotBuzz · 5 years ago

Tinto Brass.

5 upvotes on reddit

ScrawnyMatt · OP · 5 years ago

Well, his version of Caligula could have been quite flamboyant. Instead Guccione fired him and pushed too on the pornographic side of the film.

1 upvotes on reddit

PotBuzz · 5 years ago

"Wikipedia is fun!"

1 upvotes on reddit

lacourseauxetoiles · 5 years ago

As far as contemporary directors go, Alice Rohrwacher is great. The Wonders is an incredible film, and while I didn't like Happy as Lazzaro as much it was pretty good too.

5 upvotes on reddit

MovieMike007 · 5 years ago

Mario Bava is one of my all time favourites.

8 upvotes on reddit

mmmbop420 · 5 years ago

Maybe not the very very best but I'd like to add to the list Dario Argento.

10 upvotes on reddit

ScrawnyMatt · OP · 5 years ago

Well, he was a master of horrors and thrillers during the 70s, but it's sooo long that he hasn't realized a good movie.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/criterion • [2]

Summarize

What are the best italian directors?

Posted by SITProductions · in r/criterion · 6 years ago

Besides Passolini, Rosselini's, Fellini, and Antonioni, what are the best Italian directors?

I'm trying to get more into Italian Neo-Realism. I watched 8 1/2 and thought it was a bit underwhelming although I can appreciate why it's so important. I'm thinking about watching Amarcord next, seems a bit more my style from what I hear. But besides that I've only seen Rosselini's Rome, Open City and I liked it more than 8 1/2 and intend to watch more of his work. If you have any other Italian directors outside of Neo-Realism movement feel free to share as well.

EDIT: I have little knowledge about Italian Neo-Realism and from what I'm being told it seems the knowledge I do have is incorrect so please feel free to mention any Italian directors not just Neo-Realism.

17 upvotes on reddit

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G13G13 · 6 years ago

I really like Luchino Visconti and I wish Criterion would do Rocco And His Brothers.

5 upvotes on reddit

wernerherzog1 · 6 years ago

Maybe you didn’t like 8 1/2 because you thought it was neo-realism????

Stick with De Sica.

28 upvotes on reddit

SITProductions · OP · 6 years ago

Lol is it not? not claiming to be an expert or anything it just seems to have the qualities I've heard people describe Neo-Realism films having.

Cool, I'll look into him.

-4 upvotes on reddit

cabose7 · 6 years ago

A lot of mid century Italian art cinema gets lumped in with neo realism because it was such a high profile movement and many of the 50s-60s Italian auteurs cut their teeth in neo realism but there was actually a conscious move toward the surreal by Antonioni and Fellini as their careers wore on.

1 upvotes on reddit

CaptainGibb · 6 years ago

8 1/2 definitely isnt an Italian Neo-Realist film, it’s considered a surrealist film. If you want Italian Neo-realism, check out Bicycle Thieves, Rome Open City, Umberto D., or Ossessione. They’re drastically different styles of filmmaking

25 upvotes on reddit

wernerherzog1 · 6 years ago

Dude the word realism is literally in the name. 8 1/2 has so much surrealism in it.

5 upvotes on reddit

KittyLitterature · 6 years ago

Dario Argento.

24 upvotes on reddit

NabaeteanAD_107 · 6 years ago

Also brief nod to Mario Bava and Sergio Martino for their contributions to Giallo

11 upvotes on reddit

wwrxw · 6 years ago

No love for Lucio Fulci? I know he is nowhere near as "classy" but I think his contributions are also very impressive.

6 upvotes on reddit

NvdW1995 · 6 years ago

Giallo

2 upvotes on reddit

SITProductions · OP · 6 years ago

Ravioli declined after he and Formuoli split tho :/ sad.

6 upvotes on reddit

dvdmovies123 · 6 years ago

get "the Sergio leone anthology" on blu ray, amazing movies

7 upvotes on reddit

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r/criterion • [3]

Summarize

Favorite Italian director

Posted by ZeLarsenator · in r/criterion · 5 years ago

strawpoll.me

3 upvotes on reddit

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thinwhiteduke77 · 5 years ago

Massive oversight with the omissions of Lina Wertmüller, Francesco Rosi, Ettore Scola, Valerio Zurlini, Elio Petri, Mario Monicelli, Dino Risi, Luigi Comencini, Lattuada, Corbucci, Fulci, Martino, Sollima, Damiani and many more. You’ve overlooked commedia all’italiana, spaghetti western, and giallo for the most part

6 upvotes on reddit

Rica_Patin · 5 years ago

Where is Fulci?

3 upvotes on reddit

EyesOfaCreeper · 5 years ago

Pasolini chads where u at??

3 upvotes on reddit

JacketRevolution · 5 years ago

How is Lina Wertmüller not on the list???

6 upvotes on reddit

BrnNick · 5 years ago

Rosselini and Fellini are the best directors but Passolini will always be my bae.

3 upvotes on reddit

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r/criterion • [4]

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Best Italian Filmmaker

Posted by Electrical_Bar5184 · in r/criterion · 2 years ago

I wonder what the consensus is on the best filmmakers in Italian Cinema. I have a feeling Fellini will take the cake but I’m curious how the others will do.

View Poll

8 upvotes on reddit

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WhiteDishwasher619 · 2 years ago

I know this is the Criterion sub, but what about Argento, Fulci, and Leone? I know they're genre filmmakers, but goddamn all three are great...

21 upvotes on reddit

SexMachineMMA · 2 years ago

Leone for sure should be on there. Once Upon a Time in America is one of the best gangster films ever made. There is a case for it being the best. The way it paints the gangsters as malicious, cruel, misogynistic, and generally unsympathetic is not common in gangster films. It is almost an anti-gangster film. While films like Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino, etc. have a glorified view of the gangster lifestyle Once Upon a Time in America is a scathing indictment of the criminal life.

So yes, Leone definitely deserves to be on the list.

7 upvotes on reddit

Electrical_Bar5184 · OP · 2 years ago

See I know it’s a common interpretation that Goodfellas, Casino and The Godfather glorify the gangster lifestyle, but I just don’t see it. Goodfellas and the Godfather in particular have a deeply immersive appreciation for the cultural elements, of “the family”, but all that flips on a dime into deeply disturbing moments of violence and cruelty. Casino and Goodfellas in particular focus so strongly on the draw to the lifestyle, the ease, the splashiness and gratuity of the entire way of life, pulling the audience in, taking advantage of their fantasies and inner greed. I love Once Upon a Time in America, but I think Scorsese is the crime film king.

2 upvotes on reddit

CincinnatusSee · 2 years ago

Can you explain Argento to me? I tried Suspiria twice. Is it like one of those so bad it's good things? Like what am I missing? The colors and score are cool.

-2 upvotes on reddit

WhiteDishwasher619 · 2 years ago

I would start with the earlier giallo stuff like The Bird With the Crystal Plumage and Cat 'O Nine Tails, if you like those watch Deep Red and Tenebrae. His supernatural stuff is way more out there, but I absolutely love it.

1 upvotes on reddit

hennytoot · 7 months ago

Agreed. It's definitely fun with a sexy and titillating setting/premise, beautiful cinematography, a neat score, and some incredibly striking visuals, but once it gets into the second half, becomes contrived and ridiculous -- and it especially rips off Rosemary's Baby, which is a far superior film. Definitely worth a watch, but please don't mistake it for a "good movie".

1 upvotes on reddit

tobias_681 · 2 years ago

And Bava and Corbucci.

Personally I think Fulci and Bava are very underrated. Bava is like top 3 Italian directors for me with Rosselini and Passolini. Fulci is also incredible, don't know if I've ever seen a director with such a dark and twisted outlook on life.

3 upvotes on reddit

Eazy-E-40 · 2 years ago

Sergio Leone for me

7 upvotes on reddit

Throwawayhelp111521 · 2 years ago

It's spelled "Visconti."

9 upvotes on reddit

Jack_Torrance80 · 2 years ago

Darrio Argento

9 upvotes on reddit

Bilboscott8 · 2 years ago

Christopher Moltisanti’s Cleaver beats out Bicycle Thieves any day of the week

9 upvotes on reddit

DarkMagus3688 · 2 years ago

Clever aint even in the top 300 sight and sound

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/movies • [5]

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The 20+ best Italian Directors of All Time

Posted by kowalsky9999 · in r/movies · 2 years ago

weirditaly.com

8 upvotes on reddit

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Typical_Humanoid · 2 years ago

Bruno saying in Il Sorpasso that L'Eclisse put him to sleep had instantly made Risi one of my favorites.

4 upvotes on reddit

wBuddha · 2 years ago

No mention of Tinto Brass?

1 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 2 years ago

Wtf is this awful website?

2 upvotes on reddit

Key_Recording958 · 2 years ago

Am I the only one who misread as "The 20+ best Italian DICTATORS"

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/letterboxdcirclejerk • [6]

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All the Best Directors

Posted by blumdiddlyumpkin · in r/letterboxdcirclejerk · 10 days ago

the best directors of all time

Steven Spielberg

Christopher Nolan

Denis villeneuve

Quentin Tarantino

Martin Scorsese

Ridley Scott

Stanley Kubrick

Paul Thomas Anderson

James Cameron

David Fincher

David Lynch

John Hughes

Robert Altman

Clint Eastwood

Tim Burton

Richard Linklater

Terrence Malick

Steven Soderbergh

Robert Zemeckis

Francis Ford Coppola

Peter Jackson

Wes Anderson

Sydney Lumet

Roman Polanski

Woody Allen

Other greats but not the best of all time

Akira Kurosawa

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Wong Kar-wai

Alejandro González iñárritu

Spike Lee

Bong Joon Ho

Park Chan Wook

Steve McQueen

Alfonso cuarón

John Singleton

Directors who are really good but there’s one thing about them that keeps them from being listed with the best

Kathryn Bigelow

Greta Gerwig

Chloe Zhao

Celine Song

Jane Campion

Agnes Varda

Patty Jenkins

Sofia Coppola

Claire Denis

Amy Heckerling

Ava DuVernay

Nancy Meyers

Céline Sciamma

Nora Ephron

Andrea Arnold

Charlotte wells

117 upvotes on reddit

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ManagerElectrical33 · 9 days ago

Weird, I don’t see Lars Von Trier on here

9 upvotes on reddit

blumdiddlyumpkin · OP · 9 days ago

Couldn’t put him on because of all the sexual misconduct allegations.

Edit: and this is funny because Polanski and Woody Allen are on the list I mean Jesus Christ people are we fucking jerking or not!??!

8 upvotes on reddit

Superb_Instance_8190 · 8 days ago

we need an “Am I The Circle Jerker?” sub!

1 upvotes on reddit

residentevil234 · 9 days ago

The real 🐐 is Brian De Palma

6 upvotes on reddit

blumdiddlyumpkin · OP · 9 days ago

I don’t support cocaine.

1 upvotes on reddit

hans_landa_1324 · 10 days ago

Where is jerk I couldnt see lol isnt it a great list?

11 upvotes on reddit

erutorc · 10 days ago

This gotta be the most racist and misogynist list ive ever seen

21 upvotes on reddit

_Kuroi_Karasu_ · 8 days ago

Did he stutter?

1 upvotes on reddit

erutorc · 10 days ago

God damn it wrong sub

38 upvotes on reddit

erutorc · 10 days ago

jerkled me :(

24 upvotes on reddit

hans_landa_1324 · 10 days ago

Oh I see now!

7 upvotes on reddit

swynging · 9 days ago

lmaooo

6 upvotes on reddit

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r/2westerneurope4u • [7]

Summarize

Let's talk about cinema. Dear bros, show the most iconic movies of your country!

Posted by Socmel_ · in r/2westerneurope4u · 2 months ago

I thought to start with La dolce vita (1960) but sounded too obvious, so chose Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1990) instead.

Other movies in my personal list:

Roma cittá aperta (1945), the movie that kickstarted the Neorealismo movement

Bicycle thieves (1948), probably the best movie of the Neorealismo

Don Camillo (1952), an ironic snapshot of postwar cold war provincial Italy split between commies and Catholics

Ieri, oggi e domani (1963), a snapshot of Italy in the years of the economic boom with Sophia Loren at the height of her acting and beauty

The Leopard (1963), directed by Luchino Visconti, starring Claudia Cardinale, Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon. A period drama depicting the unification of Italy from the point of view of the dying noble class.

Il Sorpasso (1962), a classic italian style comedy starring Vittorio Gassman, Jean Louis Trintignant and Catherine Spaak. A depiction of Italy at the height of its economic boom.

Once upon a time in the West (1968), directed by Sergio Leone, starring Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson with soundtrack of Ennio Morricone. The best example of the socalled spaghetti western

A special day (1977), directed by Ettore Scola, starring Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren, narrating the day of Hitler's visit to Rome from the point of view of two social outcasts.

My top 10 mostly left out comedies, but honourable mentions to the Bud Spencer and Terence Hill movie series, the Totó slapstick comedies and Fantozzi series, which aren't considered High Art but narrate the spirit of Italy sometimes better than the dramas.

v.redd.it

15 upvotes on reddit

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bartleby_borealis · 2 months ago

Ngl, fonzies had some great movies. No La dolce vita or La vita è bella?

Probably the most iconic Finnish films are made by Aki Kaurismäki. The man without a past is still probably my favorite.

7 upvotes on reddit

Expert_Repair4206 · 2 months ago

La vita è bella 100% Powerful movie, well produced

6 upvotes on reddit

Socmel_ · OP · 2 months ago

I included La Dolce vita in my top ten list. I just found it so well known it borders cliché, so the main film I nominated is a bit less known (though it won the oscar for best foreign film).

As for la vita é bella, I am conflicted. Sometimes I find it sappy. But I love the soundtrack.

How does the Finnish film industry work? Do you do films mostly by yourselves on account of the language or are there many collaborations with other Nordic countries film makers/actors?

3 upvotes on reddit

bartleby_borealis · 2 months ago

Most films are made for domestic market. When Aki Kaurismäki makes a film, it usually gains some international recognition, but that’s about it.

Compartment No. 6 was probably the last film not made by Kaurismäki that had some minor international popularity.

1 upvotes on reddit

Dahockey · 2 months ago

The Match Factory Girl is my fav of his

2 upvotes on reddit

Any-Ask-4190 · 2 months ago

It's shite being asked what is the most iconic movie from your country!

13 upvotes on reddit

Socmel_ · OP · 2 months ago

Looking forward the British (or Scottish, if there is a sufficient number of movies) list! What do you think about Trainspotting?

5 upvotes on reddit

Dahockey · 2 months ago

Christiane F is better, Under the Skin is a great scottish/british movie

2 upvotes on reddit

Kevinwbooth · 2 months ago

I like Trainspotting but there’s another Irvine Welsh adaptation called Filth with James McAvoy that I liked better. Also set in Edinburgh.

https://preview.redd.it/bylf62nfb8bf1.jpeg?width=1382&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c309195c82810984df08410aa5cc285e72bf433e

1 upvotes on reddit

Elegant-Face-8383 · 2 months ago

Nosferatu

https://preview.redd.it/z6jt6yc522bf1.jpeg?width=3840&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f9ccd18a9a07553fe9a4120e4f5d43390fde976

Its about a supermodel from east germany trying to make it in the west

14 upvotes on reddit

belegradhammer · 2 months ago

For knowers of cinema, picrel

https://preview.redd.it/hbetnxq212bf1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b233797a1cd39eb6f1025ee7d81c6bf98f227bac

11 upvotes on reddit

bartleby_borealis · 2 months ago

One of my favorites from him among Smultronstället.

3 upvotes on reddit

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r/TrueFilm • [8]

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Luchino Visconti

Posted by Necessary_Monsters · in r/TrueFilm · 1 month ago

An openly gay, devoutly Catholic communist aristocrat whose films range from neorealism to painterly period drama, Luchino Visconti remains one of the most unique figures in film history.

In the 1962 BFI/Sight and Sound poll, participants voted La Terra Trema the 9^(th) greatest film of all time. Luchino Visconti’s films received 19 total votes, putting him in 11^(th) place for directors. In the 2022 poll, Visconti had zero films in the top 100 but a solid showing further down the chart: The Leopard in 107^(th) place, two more films in the top 500, a dozen films receiving at least one vote. Overall, his films received 81 votes, putting him in 59^(th) place for directors, just behind Jean Vigo (57^(th)) and Pier Paolo Pasolini (58^(th)) and just ahead of Alain Resnais, Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Terence Malick.

Martin Scorsese included The Leopard in his Criterion top ten, writing that

>Time itself is the protagonist of The Leopard: the cosmic scale of time, of centuries and epochs, on which the prince muses; Sicilian time, in which days and nights stretch to infinity; and aristocratic time, in which nothing is ever rushed and everything happens just as it should happen, as it has always happened. The landscapes, the extraordinary settings with their painstakingly selected objects and designs, the costumes, the ceremonies and rituals—it’s all at the service of deepening our sense of time and large-scale change, and the entire picture culminates in an hour-long sequence at a ball in which you can feel, through the eyes of the prince, an entire way of life (one that Visconti himself knew quite well) in the process of fading away.

While Visconti is probably best remembered for his 50s and 60s films, I've discovered his late work over the past few years and have found a lot to appreciate about it. I'm not sure that Ludwig (1973) is a great film, but it's really interesting film that supports metatextual, autobiographical readings: the story of an eccentric King spending his time and money on constructing elaborate fantasy worlds.

What are your thoughts on Visconti and his filmography? Is his place (59th all time) on the BFI list an accurate representation of his status as a major figure in film history?

34 upvotes on reddit

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JuanJeanJohn · 1 month ago

The Leopard is definitely one of cinema’s great masterpieces. And it’s a movie only he could have made.

I’m a little mixed on his filmography overall beyond that - Rocco and his Brothers is quite good, I thought his adaptation of Death in Venice was effective and his sensibilities were a good fit for that particular story. I liked Senso but felt its lushness wasn’t quite enough to make up for what felt a little bit like a soap opera story and Ludwig didn’t quite work for me. Haven’t seen the others, though!

1 upvotes on reddit

apompousporpoise · 1 month ago

I find Visconti very underrated. I love the lushness and sensuality of "Senso" (1954). Extraordinary color and costumes, and the location work in Rome and Venice ground the film and add realism. You can tell the man adored and directed opera - what I wouldn't give to see one of his productions with Callas!

9 upvotes on reddit

worker-parasite · 1 month ago

Is the word underrated completely meaningless these days? Visconti was rightly celebrated both for this films and his theatre work. Rocco and his brothers and The Leopard are huge films, which got important awards.

4 upvotes on reddit

Necessary_Monsters · OP · 1 month ago

It's true that Visconti was critically acclaimed 60 years ago. It's also true that he's not exactly a major topic of conversation among online cinephiles in 2025.

6 upvotes on reddit

Necessary_Monsters · OP · 1 month ago

Yes.

He absolutely brought an operatic aesthetic to filmmaking.

3 upvotes on reddit

PatternLevel9798 · 1 month ago

Visconti, post-neorealism, has always been a strange brew for me. While I admire his "operatic" aesthetic, I think it doesn't translate well to the film medium. It can come off as maudlin melodrama on the screen. It permeates in his work from Senso up through Ludwig to varying degrees. It's as if he's being Sirk but without the "wink-wink." If that makes any sense. My favorite films from his 50s onward output are Rocco And His Brothers and Death In Venice because the mawkishness is held to a minimum.

That said I've found Senso and The Leopard to have really captivated me over successive viewings over the years.

1 upvotes on reddit

Necessary_Monsters · OP · 1 month ago

I guess this is really a matter of interpretation. To me, what you see as "maudlin melodrama" has layers of irony and intentionally campy theatricality; as another commenter pointed out, there's arguably a kind of Brechtian distancing there.

0 upvotes on reddit

photog_in_nc · 1 month ago

I have seen four of his films, and need to see a few more. I loved Rocco and his Brothers and The Damned. I like Death in Venice. Senso fell a bit short for me (although it is gorgeous to look at).

I’ve been wanting to see The Leopard for a while. One of the highest rated films I haven’t yet seen on various lists I’ve been working my way though

2 upvotes on reddit

redeugene99 · 1 month ago

>openly gay, devoutly Catholic communist aristocrat

Interesting folks over there in Italy, with Pier Paolo Pasolini being a gay Marxist atheist who made one of the best films about Christ.

3 upvotes on reddit

mediapunk · 1 month ago

I think being a gay Marxist atheist are optimal credentials for making a meaningful film about Christ.

4 upvotes on reddit

Necessary_Monsters · OP · 1 month ago

William Wyler, director of Ben-Hur, famously said that it took a Jew to make a good movie about Jesus.

2 upvotes on reddit

Necessary_Monsters · OP · 1 month ago

Not true. If you look at the aggregated critics' + filmmakers' votes, it finished 107th overall.

0 upvotes on reddit

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r/criterion • [9]

Summarize

Top Five Italian Films?

Posted by _Nikolai_Gogol · in r/criterion · 2 years ago

84 upvotes on reddit

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disappointed113 · 2 years ago

Red Desert (1964)

L’avventura (1960)

La Notte (1961)

Tenebre (1982)

Stage Fright (1987)

I think Antonioni might be my favorite director

23 upvotes on reddit

_Nikolai_Gogol · OP · 2 years ago

He’s a master, that’s for sure. Have you seen Il Grido? That’s one of my favorites of his.

5 upvotes on reddit

disappointed113 · 2 years ago

No I actually haven’t. I just recently bought a dvd of Story of a Love Affair so hopefully I get to that one and Il Grido sooner rather than later

3 upvotes on reddit

rvb_gobq · 2 years ago

seen il grido in an art haus decades ago, & saw the dvd nearly 20 yrs ago. & it is one of his best, & of course oop. (my favorites are il grido, l'eclisse, la notte, the passenger, identification of a woman, & l' aventurra. red desert & blowup are uneven, but still worth repeated viewings. & i'e actually enjoyed all of his movies, esp. that weird cocteau-based short. w/ monica vitti. his 1950s melodramas abt the ladies who lunch are definitely worth seeing, as are his documentaries, some of which are hard to find...esp. his documentary abt mao's china.)
i saw zabriskie point again abt 6 yrs ago in vilnius, dubbed into french, with lithuanian subtitles. (i went to high school near the hawthorne airport, where many of the movie's opening scenes were shot. & we borrowed binoculars & went & watched them shooting. they also shot several scenes along imperial blvd.
liquor stores, churches, liquor stores, to quote zappa.

3 upvotes on reddit

snellickers · 2 years ago

I love L’Eclisse most of all. I find Red Desert almost unwatchable, except for the beach sequence which is haunting.

3 upvotes on reddit

_Nikolai_Gogol · OP · 2 years ago

I think mine are:

Rocco and His Brothers (1960) or The Leopard (1963)…I honestly can’t choose between these two.
Salvatore Giuliano (1962)
The Conformist (1970)
Amarcord (1973)
The Tree of Wooden Clogs (1978) or Il Posto (1961)

13 upvotes on reddit

ArachnidTrick1524 · 2 years ago

A Visconti fan, and a Russian literature lover? Great taste in art!

Rocco for the win over The Leopard!

6 upvotes on reddit

Fluorescent_Tip · 2 years ago

Il Posto is a special movie. Reminds me to watch again.

2 upvotes on reddit

_Nikolai_Gogol · OP · 2 years ago

It really is, along with I Fidanzati.

1 upvotes on reddit

photog_in_nc · 2 years ago

Umberto D.

L’Avventura

8 1/2

The Gospel According to St. Matthew

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

29 upvotes on reddit

ArachnidTrick1524 · 2 years ago

Rocco and His Brothers (1960)
La Strada (1954)
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Rome, Open City (1945)
Senso (1954)

13 upvotes on reddit

_Nikolai_Gogol · OP · 2 years ago

In my opinion, it’s Ermanno Olmi’s most confident film. It’s more concerned with atmosphere and character than plot. The premise involves a husband and wife sending their child off to school to be formally educated, thus sacrificing his help on the farm, but this storyline is relatively minor. Mostly, you just feel like you’re catching a glimpse of late-nineteenth-century Italy, the intricacies of peasant farming in a poor village. Every shot is like a painting. The film has moments of absolute beauty.

3 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/moviecritic • [10]

Summarize

Highest-grossing movie directors of all-time! Any surprises for you here?

Posted by DiscsNotScratched · in r/moviecritic · 5 months ago

i.redd.it

17 upvotes on reddit

6 replies

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6 replies

Mynock33 · 5 months ago

Are these adjusted for inflation?

Dollars aside, I like when these stats are converted to ticket sales. I think it's a more interesting conversation.

Cameron close to Spielberg with less than half the films is weird.

5 upvotes on reddit

RyzenRaider · 5 months ago

Because Cameron released 3 juggernaut films that each did more than double the business than Spielberg's best film. I think Avatar 1, 2 and Titanic alone are responsible for nearly $7b of Cameron's total.

1 upvotes on reddit

RyzenRaider · 5 months ago

Growing up with Tim Burton's weird indie like movies, I would not have guessed him to be on this list.

Honestly, I didn't even know who David Yates was, and didn't even recognize the name. It's the thumbnails that giveaway that he was in with the Harry Potter films, but I never made it that far into that series.

Everything else was pretty much expected.

1 upvotes on reddit

deadkoolx · 5 months ago

Russos will eventually take the top spot when Secret Wars finishes its run.

1 upvotes on reddit

JellyPast1522 · 5 months ago

So Anthony Russo directed a movie sans bro that grossed zippo?

2 upvotes on reddit

Spirited_Alfalfa_343 · 5 months ago

Shame that directors like Villenueve, Eggers, Chazelle, Mangold, and the Coen Brothers are not on this list. Their films deserved to be seen by everyone.

2 upvotes on reddit

See 6 replies

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AI Answer

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top italian directors

Key Considerations for Italian Directors

Influence on Cinema: Many Italian directors have significantly shaped the film industry, particularly in genres like neorealism, horror, and art films.
Awards and Recognition: Look for directors who have received prestigious awards, such as the Academy Awards, Cannes Film Festival accolades, or Golden Globes.
Diverse Styles: Italian cinema is known for its variety, from classic to contemporary styles, so consider directors across different eras and genres.

Top Italian Directors to Consider

Federico Fellini: Renowned for films like La Dolce Vita and 8½, Fellini's work is characterized by imaginative storytelling and surrealism.
Michelangelo Antonioni: Known for L'Avventura and The Passenger, Antonioni's films often explore existential themes and human relationships.
Sergio Leone: A pioneer of the Spaghetti Western genre, Leone is famous for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West.
Bernardo Bertolucci: His film The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards, showcasing his ability to blend historical narratives with personal stories.
Paolo Sorrentino: A contemporary director known for The Great Beauty and Youth, Sorrentino's work often features lush visuals and complex characters.
Dario Argento: A master of horror, Argento is known for his influential giallo films, including Suspiria and Deep Red.

Recommendation: If you're exploring Italian cinema, start with Fellini and Antonioni for classic art films, then delve into Leone for a taste of Westerns, and finish with Sorrentino for modern storytelling. Each director offers a unique perspective on Italian culture and cinematic artistry.

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