Rating: 
Summary: By far, the best movie of all time
Review: I first saw Life is Beautiful last winter, and went to see it three times after that initial viewing. I have never been so moved in my enire life. I would, however, like to comment briefly on the one star reviews posted here. First off, Roberto Benigni did not set out to make this movie a true-to-life documentation of German death camps. Instead, he wanted to show us the incredible power of parental and marital love. Second, this movie was anything but boring. The light, playful music combined with the witty script and Bengini's funny anitcs made it more than entertaining (far better than the contant sex, violence, and poor humor in some American films). And third, if you did not appeciate this movie then you went in seeing it with the wrong attitude. A Jewish friend of mine said it was the best film she ever had seen. My life has chnaged drastically since viewing this film. I hug my parents daily now (I'm 16) and thank them for all their sacrifices. I smile more. I appricate life, because life truly is beautful. I will never, ever forget the last scene, when the little boy falls into his mother's arms and shouts ecsatatically, "We won, we won!".
Rating: 
Summary: Ernest Goes To A Concentration Camp
Review: The worst thing about this movie is the stock phrases and now-meaningless cliches it made so many of you use to praise its invisible virtues.
Rating:
Summary: This is simply a brilliant movie!
Review: It is a magical experience, one that I have enjoyed several times. The only negative is deciding if you want to read the subtitles (which is wonderful) or listening to the dubbed version.
Rating:
Summary: Touching portrayal of a father's selfless devotion to son
Review: I first happened across this film last year while it remained an obscure, thumbnail advertisement for showings at less than a handful of cinemas. I saw it with no idea of it's content and believe that is the best way to view it. I have seen it only once and a year or so later remain deeply moved by the experience.Entranced for the duration, the houselights came up to reveal a steady stream of my tears. Let it be known that I am not prone to such displays and rarely get farther than a lump in the throat. But the magnificence of the performances, coupled with the sheer highs and lows of the storyline, combined to have me literally speechless for the next half an hour. Even now, the memory has tears welling in my eyes. I am almost loathe to watch this movie again for fear that it will become easier a second time round - a case of familiarity being easier to bear. For anyone doubting its relevance to depictions of the Holocaust I have read Primo Levi, as another posting suggested, and found Life is Beautiful reminiscent of the wit that Levi managed to inject in his restrained condemnation of his experiences in Auschwitz. Although the other reviewer and I are at odds as regards Life is Beautiful, I would agree that Levi's reminiscences are equally valuable. Don't worry that such a complex subject is handled in such a comedic fashion. I guarantee that the juxtaposition of comedy and tragedy is so perfectly aligned and abrupt that their effects are greatly amplified in combination rather than as separate entities. Without the one, the other would be so much the less. If your taste in movies does not preclude a harsh examination of your own priorities, then give Life is Beautiful a try.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Movies Out There
Review: Initially, the thought of watching a subtitled movie seemed as exciting as watching paint dry. However, I decided to accompany a friend to see this movie on her birthday. I can now say that I have a new respect for foreign films. As well as being entertaining, Life is Beautiful is touching and memorable. The subtitles are easy to follow, and the Italian enriches the movie in a way I had never seen before. This movie is impossible to compare to any other. Those watchers who compare Life is Beautiful to other inferior movies (you know who you are) must not have really "gotten" the movie, or were determined NOT to like the movie from scene 1. There is no other video out there that has the same impact as Life is Beautiful. If you want history, watch the History Channel. Harsh critics: leave this movie alone, and let those of us who enjoyed it be happy!
Rating:
Summary: One of the most inspirational and wonderful movies ever.
Review: Life is Beautiful is a masterpiece. Although it is either dubbed in English, or it has subtitles, you hardly notice it when you are pulled in to this amazing story. I would reccomend it to anyone. Guido is an extraordinary person who somehow is able to make even the darkest times seem optimistic. The way he expresses his love for his wife and child is can bring tears of joy to anyone eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid DVD edition of a modern masterpiece
Review: A movie that can make you laugh and cry at the same time is simply almost impossible to find. Benigni finds a way into the recesses of our hardened modern-age soul to bring out powerful sensations. For foreign film lovers: YOU CAN TAKE THE SUBTITLES OFF AND WATCH THE MOVIE IN ITS ORIGINAL ASPECT: WELL DONE MIRAMAX!
Rating:
Summary: I absolutely loved it!
Review: This is the best movie I've seen in a long time. I especially liked the English subtitles because it gave me a chance to practice understanding Italian. This wonderful film touched me to the core. I recommend this film to anyone with a heart!
Rating:
Summary: The most heart-warming, fantastic movie of the century!
Review: This movie really gets you going. It not only gives you a little bit of history, but combines humor, sadness, along with many other feelings that allow you to fall in love with not only the characters, but the entire film. I would reccommend this movie to everyone. Once you see it, it gives you a new spiritual awakening. It makes you realize just how precious life is. So if you have a chance - SEE IT! You WON'T be dissappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: "A tale told by an idiot"
Review: I watched this movie last weekend. I knew very little about it, but thought that Benigni was charming on Oscar night. I thought Spielberg was a bad sport. After seeing the movie, I guess Spielberg was annoyed because "Life is Beautiful" is a ridiculous movie, and I agree. I found it offensive, and pandering to audiences who are tired of all the violence in the world, that they just want to see a movie and feel good. A lot of reviewers here mentioned 'Hogan's Heroes", which I never watched because it seemed stupid. Some mentioned "Seven Beauties" which succeeded in everything that "Life is Beautiful" failed at. The fact that is historically perposterous doesn't not even have to be mentioned. The fact that he reduced monumental events to a Marx Bros. schtick is what I found offensive. The entire movie made no sense. In reality, he would have been shot when he did his first gag while getting on the train! And it just got worse from there. I am not Jewish, I have no agenda, but I do have a respect for history and people who survive horrific events, who lived to tell through heroism and force of will. A buffoon out-smarting Nazis by sight-gags and double-talk is an insult! And I do not think this is his niave attempt to make a movie of value...I am sure Benigni knew exactly when people would laugh, would cry and how they would feel when it was over. There is no visual violence so kids could see it. And I am so surprised that this movie is considered an antidote to Hollywood movies, when it uses every manipulative ploy to win over audiences. This is not a movie about the human spirit, it's about a actor/director who knew exactly how to give people what they want. I am writing this for the few other people who wrote negative reviews, because after I saw the movie I wondered if I was the only one who felt like this.
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