JoeKulik
Boccaccio '70 (1962) is a very heavy film, in my opinion.My interpretation of it is that the outward and blatant sexual aspect of each of the four episodes of this cinematic anthology is a mere superficial veneer, a literary artifice, if you will, that is used as a vehicle for a biting commentary on modern social life, a life disrupted and transformed by the emerging corporate and technological forces impinging upon the individual.Although the outward social situation portrayed in each episode appears to be so different from the others, it seems to me that there was, at some level, a unified coordination behind the production of this film, ensuring that the social commentary portrayed by the film as a whole film was consistent, in some respects. Yet, each individual episode voices this unified social commentary from its own unique perspective.The sexual aspect of the film as a whole is the common point in each episode that is used as a symbol of the basic humanity of the individual. Hence, it is during the execution of the sex act itself that the individual is stripped of all his assigned social roles, and their attendant assigned social personas, and where the individual is most closely in touch with his inner, true, genuine self. It is also during the very execution of the sex act where an individual can find a time in his life that is outside the scope, and the purview of impinging societal forces.This film was skillfully constructed to project a superficial appearance, greatly along outwardly sexual themes, to ensure the commercial viability of the film, a superficial appearance that would appeal to the masses of the ticket buying public who hunger for simple entertainment. Yet beneath the veil of this general public appeal, lies a carefully constructed harsh social commentary that provides much fodder for intellectual, and artistic analysis for the minority of film viewers who are inclined to such reflective thinking.Boccaccio '70 (1962) is a truly remarkable cinematic achievement for many different reasons, at least in my opinion.
marqymarqy
Boccaccio 70 always struck me as a great title for a film - perhaps because it wasn't afraid of its built in obsolescence. It hasn't been on UK telly since around 1974 - can someone – anyone - please, please, please explain this curious phenomenon to me. What we have here is four short films from four top Italian directors of the time (the time actually being 1961 - another hilarious aspect of the title) including Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti. The picture quality is superb and may even be mastered from the original negative. The first film of the four is the stand out for me - the director paints a hilarious yet hideous view of the popularist theory of 1961 - population explosion. The scene at the swimming pool really must be seen to be believed - and be seen in colour on the largest screen you can access - the director anticipated High Definition by half a century. The dialogue is Italian with English subtitles. Well worth a look - even though it'll take you 3 hours and 23 minutes to watch the whole film. The release I bought is by umbongo films.
indy-39
Specifically for film lovers,like myself, who only ever got to watch this collection (minus the first segment) on late-late night commercial TV- run out and get a copy of this remastered version. To watch this as it was originally intended- the work of some of Italy's finest directors- is a joy. As for which segment is the best... it's hard to say...Fellini's segment is better than I remembered it...and who could ever forget Anita Ekberg...in truth I have a fondness for all these Italian films I saw in my youth that makes objectivity hard.P.S.: Of course, the same must be said for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow-also reissued- I nearly cried at how good the print was.
Billyjhobbs
What superlatives can really be added to the directors of this film that haven't already been used! Certainly, too, the acting is top rate. Loosely "based upon the 'Tales of the Decameron' written by Boccaccio," this film "updates" (from 14th century!)and brings alive the passion, the tragedy, the humor that Boccaccio and friends sought to "while away their time as the Plague ravaged Florence below"! Certainly any film that features Signorina Loren can't be all bad; ditto with Eckberg and Schneider--what a lovely trinity! Alas, seeing this film today is very, very difficult, as it hasn't been released for general consumption (as far as I know). Pity. It's a great film, even after 39 years!
AD
