Rating: 
Summary: SOUL MURDER
Review: Luchino Visconti's Marxist take on the changing Italian society circa 1960 was one of the most controversial and influential movies of the early 60's. Like LA DOLCE VITA it caused a sensation in the US and made an instant, international star of Alain Delon. Visconti mixes Old Testament themes starting with the expulsion from Eden & Cain and Abel, throws in lots of Dostoyevsky & even some of Bunuel's VIRIDIANA. It's quite a stew but I never heard anyone say they were bored. As the mother Katina Paxinou who was Jean Simmons' vile governess in THE INHERITANCE chews up enough scenery for 10 movies. Annie Giradot playing a prostitute gives such a vibrant performance that you wonder why she appeared here in only 2 or 3 movies over the next 30 years. Alain Delon's Rocco is a beautiful Prince Myshkin but he's very bland. As Simone his immediate older brother Renato Salvatore exudes so much animal magnatism he may have you jumping out of your skin. When he seduces Rocco's middleaged employer (to rob her) half the audience wishes they were she. Giuseppe Rotunno's beautiful black & white cinematography often acts as a commentary on the action especially in the scenes of more than graphic violence. Nino Rota wrote the fine score.
Rating:
Summary: SOUL MURDER
Review: Luchino Visconti's Marxist take on the changing Italian society circa 1960 was one of the most controversial and influential movies of the early 60's. Like LA DOLCE VITA it caused a sensation in the US and made an instant, international star of Alain Delon. Visconti mixes Old Testament themes starting with the expulsion from Eden & Cain and Abel, throws in lots of Dostoyevsky & even some of Bunuel's VIRIDIANA. It's quite a stew but I never heard anyone say they were bored. As the mother Katina Paxinou who was Jean Simmons' vile governess in THE INHERITANCE chews up enough scenery for 10 movies. Annie Giradot playing a prostitute gives such a vibrant performance that you wonder why she appeared here in only 2 or 3 movies over the next 30 years. Alain Delon's Rocco is a beautiful Prince Myshkin but he's very bland. As Simone his immediate older brother Renato Salvatore exudes so much animal magnatism he may have you jumping out of your skin. When he seduces Rocco's middleaged employer (to rob her) half the audience wishes they were she. Giuseppe Rotunno's beautiful black & white cinematography often acts as a commentary on the action especially in the scenes of more than graphic violence. Nino Rota wrote the fine score.
Rating: 
Summary: phenomenal
Review: One of the greatest films ever made. In this film you will see so many scenes that will seem familiar, this is where it was done first, where others have learnt. Delon at his best(and that's saying a lot).It is unfortunate that this title isn't available on dvd.
Rating:
Summary: A moving experience
Review: Some people says this movie is the highest point of neorrealism. A few, even adventure the idea of Rocco being the film as novel par excellence. A construct capable of contain all dark and luminous sides of his main character. Well, all this critical insights are true, but simply vanish in one's mind when the film starts rolling. What's left it's simply one of the most moving movie experiences of my life.
Rating: 
Summary: Film=5 Stars, DVD=3 Stars
Review: The long-awaited DVD release of Visconti's great novel-like film is here. Sad to report, it is something of a disappointment.
The film itself looks quite good, transferred from a well-preserved source. But this is the 168-minute version of "Rocco e i suoi Fratelli"--12 minutes of the original 180 minutes have been cut. To be fair, this version has been the "standard" on VHS for some time, presumably Image derived it from the source of earlier releases. It is really unfortunate that a full-length print could not be used here. Moreover, there are zero extras on the disc: just a static, hastily-produced menu. The English-only subtitles are removable.Visconti's film is traditional. It is a contemporary of "Shoot the Piano Player", "L'Avventura" and "La Dolce Vita", yet it has virtually nothing in common with them. Watching "Rocco" is like reading a 19th century novel, with chapters devoted to the five brothers of the title. All characters are well-drawn, the film is beautifully shot, acting is often brilliant. There are many unforgettable moments in what feels like a vast, panoramic view of several years in one family's history. One element Visconti shares in this film with Antonioni is the great Italian theme of transition from the old world to the modern world. Characters are forced to accept change, change themselves, or perish. In spite of these limitations, the DVD is recommended. If you don't watch it, you will miss a powerful cinematic experience.
Rating:
Summary: There was a time...
Review: There was a time when scene after scene of screaming Italians meant 'art film' and endless depictions of tedious pathology was 'interesting.' Not now. There are standout performances that are timeless, but you should bring a lot of tolerance to this if you plan to enjoy it. Also, there are no extras on the DVD - nothing to help the viewer appreciate why this film was important when it was made, etc.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece.
Review: This movie deserved a reputation as the best of Visconti, and it is different indeed from many other movies he made, mostly about people in aristocratic circles, starting from Senso and ending in The Innocent. This one is a rare exception (like La Terra Trema) and it amazing how powerful this picture is. As with any true masterpiece, it's impossible to give it a full review, but it must not be missed by any serious movie buffs and even people who enjoy simpler style. The theme of impoverished peasants coming to Milan from south of Italy (Puglia) and their struggle for finding their place in the big industrial city is still alive. But the movie is about the perennial human issues - love and violence. A must-see.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant family drama
Review: This movie shows as few the feeling of persons in extreme conflicts. The attitudes of each one are very richly portraied with the most notorious quality.
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